Dental articles including post-formable multilayer optical films

• US 20040229187A1
• Filed: 06/15/2004
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Weber, Michael F., Mitra, Sumita B., Ouderkirk, Andrew J., Benson, Olester Jr., Jonza, James M., Merrill, William W., Gust, Janis R., Bretscher, Kathryn R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,077,649 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/30
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 1/247 with means for viewing areas outside the direct line of sight, e.g. dentists' mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/00 Dental auxiliary appliances dental chairs or accessories therefor, working stands whether or not combined with chairs A61G15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/3083 Birefringent or phase retarding elements G02B5/3008, G02B5/3016 take precedence; systems for polarisation control G02B27/286; manufacturing phase modulating patterns by lithographic processes G03F7/001

Abstract

Dental articles including at least one optical surface formed of a multilayer optical film including layers of at least one strain-induced birefringent material are disclosed. The multilayer optical films included in the dental articles is preferably post-formed into desired non-planar shapes in manners that result in some deformation of the optical stack of the multilayer optical films. A variety of dental implements can be constructed with multilayer optical film including dental mirrors, light guides for use in connection with photo-curing dental materials, and matrix bands for use in molding photo-curing dental restoratives.

Claims

1. A dental article comprising at least one optical surface reflecting light of desired wavelengths, wherein the optical surface comprises a post-formed optical stack comprising a plurality of layers, the layers comprising at least one birefringent polymer and at least one different polymer, wherein the optical stack comprises first and second strain-induced index of refraction differentials, the first and second index of refraction differentials being located along first and second perpendicular in-plane axes, and further wherein the thickness of the post-formed optical stack varies over the optical surface.

2. A dental article according to claim 1, wherein substantially the entire optical stack reflects at least about 85% of light of the desired wavelengths.

3. A dental article according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the optical stack varies by at least about 10% or more.

4. A dental article according to claim 1, wherein the article comprises a dental implement.

5. A dental article according to claim 4, further comprising an anti-fog coating on the optical surface.

6. A dental article according to claim 4, wherein the optical surface is removably attached to the dental implement.

7. A dental article according to claim 4, wherein the dental implement comprises a dental mirror including a handle and a head connected to the handle, wherein the optical surface is located on the head of the mirror.

8. A dental article according to claim 7, wherein the optical surface is convex.

9. A dental article according to claim 7, wherein the optical surface is removably attached to the head.

10. A dental article according to claim 9, wherein the head further comprises at least one retaining element, and further wherein the optical surface is retained in place on the head by the at least one retaining element.

11. A dental article according to claim 10, wherein the retaining element comprises a clamp.

12. A dental article according to claim 10, wherein the retaining element comprises adhesive.

13. A dental article comprising at least one optical surface reflecting light of desired wavelengths, wherein the optical surface comprises an optical stack comprising a plurality of layers, the layers comprising at least one birefringent polymer and at least one different polymer, wherein the optical stack comprises first and second strain-induced index of refraction differentials, the first and second index of refraction differentials being located along first and second perpendicular in-plane axes, and further wherein the thickness of the optical stack varies over the optical surface.