Light-curing device with detachably interconnecting light applicator
First Claim
1. A light-curing device comprising:
- a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user;
a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient'"'"'s mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient'"'"'s mouth;
a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound;
connection means for detachably connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The light-curing devices of the invention include a gripping member configured to be held in the hand of a user, a light applicator configured in size and shape to be inserted within the mouth of a user, and a light source configured to generate and emit sufficient radiant energy for curing light-sensitive compounds. The light-curing devices also include connection means configured for detachably connecting the light applicator and the gripping member in such a manner as to prevent the light applicator from rotating with respect to the gripping member. The light applicator may include a light guide or a light source and corresponding mounting structure. The connection means may include mating bayonet formations, tongue and groove type formations, internesting pin and pinhole formations, latches and other interconnecting structures.
200 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A light-curing device comprising:
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a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user;
a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient'"'"'s mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient'"'"'s mouth;
a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound;
connection means for detachably connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A light-curing device comprising:
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a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user;
a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient'"'"'s mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient'"'"'s mouth;
a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for outing a light-curable compound;
a transparent tip connected to an end of the light applicator so that light emitted by the light source passes through the transparent tip; and
interconnecting structure for connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A light-curing device comprising:
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a gripping member sized and configured to be held in the hand of a user;
a light applicator sized and configured for insertion at least partially into a patient'"'"'s mouth in order to direct light to a desired location within the patient'"'"'s mouth, the light applicator including structure configured for manipulation of the light-curable compound;
a light source at least partially disposed within the light applicator and configured to generate and emit light suitable for curing a light-curable compound; and
interconnecting structure for connecting the gripping member and the light applicator in a manner so as to prevent significant rotation of the light applicator relative to the gripping member and for preventing longitudinal displacement of the light applicator relative to the gripping member during manipulation of the light-curable compound. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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Specification