DENTAL LIGHT DEVICE

• US 20140038124A1
• Filed: 06/21/2013
• Published: 02/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kerr Corporation (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kerr Corporation (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Gill, Owen, Barry, Ruth, Wyatt, Stacy Lee, Soundararajan, Gopikrishnan
• Granted Patent: US 9,072,572 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 433/29
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 19/004 Hand-held apparatus, e.g. guns
• CPC Class Codes: A61C 2204/002 using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/3725 Switched mode power supply [SMPS]
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/375 using buck topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/38 using boost topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/385 using flyback topology
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 45/397 Current mirror circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 20/30 Semiconductor lamps, e.g. solid state lamps [SSL] light emitting diodes [LED] or organic LED [OLED]

Abstract

A light device includes a body and a tip structure configured to be removably coupled with the housing. The tip includes a light engine that is operable for emitting light positioned at a distal end of the tip. A power supply circuit is positioned in the housing and coupled to the light engine. The power supply circuit is rechargeable and includes at least one ultracapacitor element. A non-imaging element is coupled with the light engine at the distal end.

Claims

1. A curing light device comprising:

a body;

a tip having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal removably mounted with the body;

a light engine including at least one light emitting element operable for emitting light, the light engine positioned on the distal end of the tip;

a non-imaging element coupled with the light engine at the distal end of the tip for capturing and collimating the emitted light;

a power supply operably coupled with the light engine to power the light engine, the power supply being rechargeable and including at least one ultracapacitor element.

2. The curing light device of claim 1 wherein the body includes a socket configured for receiving the proximal end of the tip, and further comprising a magnetic mechanism configured for securing the tip in the socket.

3. The curing light device of claim 2 wherein the magnetic mechanism provides a force in the range of 0.5 to 6 pounds for securing the tip in the socket.

4. The curing light device of claim 2 wherein the magnetic mechanism includes a rare earth magnet.

5. The curing light device of claim 1 wherein the tip includes electrically conductive body elements separated by an insulator element, the body elements electrically coupled with the power supply and the light engine and directing power from the power supply to the light engine at the distal end of the tip.

6. The curing light device of claim 5 wherein the body elements of the tip are thermally conductive, the body elements operable for drawing heat away from the distal end of the tip.

7. The curing light device of claim 1 wherein the power supply further comprises a pair of ultracapacitors.

8. The curing light device of claim 1 wherein the power supply is operable for providing an operational run time of at least one minute.

9. The curing light device of claim 1 wherein the power supply is operable for providing an operational run time of up to 10 minutes.

10. The curing light device of claim 1 wherein power supply is operable for providing an operational run time of approximately 250 seconds.

11. The curing light device of claim 1 wherein the light engine includes three light emitting elements, the light engine operable for providing an output power of 1100-1800 mW/cm².

12. The curing light device of claim 5 wherein the body elements of the tip are configured to draw heat away from the distal end of the tip and prevent a rise in the pulp of a tooth being cured greater than 5 degrees Centigrade.