U.S. patent application number 11/173631 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-02 for curing light having a detachable tip.
This patent application is currently assigned to Discus Dental Impressions, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert Hayman, Christopher N. Quan, Kenneth Rosenblood, Joseph Wong.
Application Number | 20060044823 11/173631 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35732684 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060044823 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wong; Joseph ; et
al. |
March 2, 2006 |
Curing light having a detachable tip
Abstract
The present invention relates to a curing light having a
detachable tip for spot curing of light sensitive composites. A
series of tips having varying apertures is also envisioned. The
present invention also relates to a curing light having a
detachable tip for effecting partial curing of light sensitive
composites. The advantage of the tip of the present invention, as
compared to prior art tips, is that it is adapted to be fitted over
the end of a curing light device without the need to remove any
protective cover, focusing lens or similar structure that may be
mislaid or lost. It also offers the added advantage of a simplified
design without the necessity of having built-in complex optical
properties normally served by the protective cover while, at the
same time, the tip retains the advantages offered by prior art
tips.
Inventors: |
Wong; Joseph; (South
Pasadena, CA) ; Hayman; Robert; (Los Angeles, CA)
; Rosenblood; Kenneth; (Los Angeles, CA) ; Quan;
Christopher N.; (Quincy, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Bergman;Bergman Kuta LLP
P.O. Box 400167
Cambridge
MA
02140
US
|
Assignee: |
Discus Dental Impressions,
Inc.
Culver City
CA
|
Family ID: |
35732684 |
Appl. No.: |
11/173631 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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60585224 |
Jul 2, 2004 |
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60664696 |
Mar 22, 2005 |
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60594297 |
Mar 25, 2005 |
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60658517 |
Mar 3, 2005 |
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60631267 |
Nov 26, 2004 |
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60594327 |
Mar 30, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
362/573 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61K 6/884 20200101;
A61K 6/884 20200101; Y10S 362/804 20130101; A61K 6/864 20200101;
Y10S 362/80 20130101; C08L 91/06 20130101; C08L 91/06 20130101;
A61K 8/24 20130101; A61K 8/21 20130101; A61K 8/19 20130101; A61K
6/884 20200101; A61Q 11/00 20130101; A61C 19/004 20130101; A61K
8/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/573 |
International
Class: |
F21V 5/00 20060101
F21V005/00 |
Claims
1. A curing light for curing light sensitive composites comprising:
a light module housing having a proximal end and a distal end; a
lens cap near the proximal end of the housing; and an opaque tip
having a conical-shaped body, an interior, an exterior, an apex,
and an aperture at the apex, adapted for enveloping at least a
portion of the lens cap.
2. The curing light of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said
interior surface of the tip comprises a reflective surface or an
opaque surface.
3. The curing light of claim 1 wherein said lens cap is selected
from a group consisting of a protective cover, a dome, a clear
cover, a focusing lens, a light guide, a reflector and combinations
thereof.
4. The curing light of claim 1 wherein said tip comprises a
circular ring section having an inside side-wall adapted to
envelope at least a portion of the lens cap in a friction fit.
5. The curing light of claim 1 wherein said lens cap comprises an
outside wall having a substantially uniform diameter over at least
a portion of said outside wall.
6. The curing light of claim 1 wherein said lens cap comprises at
least one raised structure on the outside wall.
7. The curing light of claim 6 wherein said raised structure is
selected from the group consisting of a protrusion, a bump, a
ridge, a rim or combinations thereof.
8. The curing light of claim 4 wherein said circular ring comprises
at least one structure for mating with a corresponding raised
structure on the outside wall of the lens cap.
9. The curing light of claim 8 wherein said structure is selected
from the group consisting of a depression, a groove, a channel, an
enlarged diameter portion, or combinations thereof.
10. The curing light of claim 8 wherein said structure is on the
inside side-wall of the circular ring section.
11. The curing light of claim 1 wherein the aperture of the tip
controls the footprint of a beam of light emitted by the curing
light.
12. The curing light of claim 1 wherein said interior of the tip
further comprises at least one protrusion for repeatably
positioning the tip over the lens cap.
13. The curing light of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the
lens cap enveloped by the tip comprises of the same ore different
material having similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
14. A curing light device suitable for curing light curable dental
composite materials comprising: a light module housing including a
distal end and a proximal end, with the proximal end of the housing
being the light emitting end; at least one molded reflector located
towards the proximal end of the light module housing; a lens cap
fitted over the proximal end of the housing; and an opaque tip
having a conical-shaped body, an interior, an exterior, an apex,
and an aperture at the apex, adapted for enveloping at least a
portion of the lens cap.
15. The curing light of claim 14 wherein said molded reflector, at
least a portion of the housing to which the reflector is attached
comprises of similar materials or materials having similar
coefficients of thermal expansion.
16. The curing light of claim 14 wherein said molded reflector
comprises an inside surface, at least a portions of the inside
surface is reflective.
17. The curing light of claim 16 wherein said reflective surface
comprises a thin coating of metal.
18. The curing light of claim 16 wherein said reflective surface is
concave.
19. The curing light of claim 14 wherein said wherein said tip
comprises a circular ring section having an inside side-wall
adapted to envelope at least a portion of the lens cap in a
friction fit.
20. The curing light of claim 14 wherein said lens cap comprises at
least one raised structure on the outside wall.
21. The curing light of claim 19 wherein said circular ring
comprises at least one structure for mating with a corresponding
raised structure on the outside wall of the lens cap.
22. The curing light of claim 21 wherein said structure is on the
inside side-wall of the circular ring section.
23. The curing light of claim 14 wherein the aperture of the tip
controls the footprint of a beam of light emitted by the curing
light.
24. The curing light of claim 14 wherein said interior of the tip
further comprises at least one protrusion for repeatably
positioning the tip over the lens cap.
25. The curing light of claim 14 wherein said tip, the lens cap,
the molded reflector and the portion of the housing mounted to the
molded reflector comprises the same material or different materials
having similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
26. The curing light of claim 14 wherein the lens cap and the tip
are attached as a unit and the entire unit is detachable.
27. The curing light of claim 14 further comprising a heat sink
comprising a phase change material.
28. A tip for controlling the footprint of a beam of light from a
curing light comprises: a conical-shaped body having an interior,
an exterior, an apex, and an aperture at the apex; and at least one
circular ring section having an inside side-wall adapted to
envelope at least a portion of a lens cap in a friction fit.
29. The tip of claim 28 wherein said circular ring comprises at
least one structure for mating with a corresponding raised
structure on the outside wall of the lens cap.
30. The tip of claim 29 wherein said structure is selected from the
group consisting of a depression, a groove, a channel, an enlarged
diameter portion, or combinations thereof.
31. The tip of claim 28 wherein at least a portion of said interior
surface of the tip comprises a reflective surface or an opaque
surface.
32. The tip of any of claims 28 wherein said tip is selected from a
series of tips having varying diameter apertures adapted for
effecting spot curing of composites.
33. The tip of claim 29 wherein said structure is on the inside
side-wall of the circular ring section.
34. The curing light of claim 1 wherein the aperture of the tip
controls the footprint of a beam of light emitted by the curing
light.
35. The tip of claim 29 wherein said interior of the tip further
comprises at least one protrusion for repeatably positioning the
tip over the lens cap.
36. The tip of claim 29 wherein said aperture has a smaller
diameter than the diameter of the lens cap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional
patent applications Ser. No. 60/585,224, filed Jul. 2, 2004,
entitled "Dental Light Devices With Phase Change Heat Sink";
60/664,696, filed Mar. 22, 2005, entitled "Curing Light Having A
Detachable Tip"; 60/594,297, filed Mar. 25, 2005, entitled "Curing
Light Having A Detachable Tip"; 60/658,517, filed Mar. 3, 2005,
entitled "Apparatus and Method For Radiation Spectrum Shifting in
Dentistry Application"; 60/631,267, filed Nov. 26, 2004, entitled
"Curing Light Having A Reflector"; and 60/594,327, filed on Mar.
30, 2005, entitled, "Curing Light"; the contents of all of which
are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] The present application includes claims that may be related
to the claims of co-pending U.S. patent applications, Ser. No.
10/______, to be concurrently filed, entitled "Illumination System
for Dentistry Applications"; Ser. No. 10/______, to be concurrently
filed, entitled "Voice Alert System for Dentistry Applications; the
contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention relates to curing light devices for use in
dentistry. Specifically, this invention relates to curing light
devices for activating the curing of composites and/or adhesives in
dentistry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In the field of dentistry, tooth restoration and repaired,
dental cavities are often filled and/or sealed with compounds that
are photosensitive, either to visible and/or ultraviolet light.
These compounds, commonly known as light-curable compounds, are
placed within dental cavity preparations or onto dental surfaces
and are cured when exposed to light from a dental curing light
device. Many light-curing devices are configured to be handheld
devices. Some are equipped with a light guide.
[0005] Some techniques employed by dental professionals include an
initial partial curing followed by a complete cure. Some curing
lights can be equipped with a removable tip for this partial cure.
The size of the curing light spot can also be changed by attaching
removable tips with different-sized translucent portions for
performing the partial cure. Some of these tips are also made to be
disposable so that the tip can be disposed of if it is contaminated
with curable material during a curing process, as is disclosed in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,709,128, incorporated herein by reference.
[0006] In some dental procedures, the curing light can be equipped
with an attachment, to manipulate the curable compound before and
during irradiation of the compound with radiant energy suitable for
curing the compound, to compress the compound within the treated
tooth to get rid of air pockets before the compound is completely
cured and to obtain the desired restoration effect, as described in
U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,576. This contact is useful because it
generally enables the practitioner to ensure that the dental
compound is properly applied within the dental restoration. A
transparent attachment for such manipulation may be detachably
connected with the curing light device. The transparent attachment
has at least a transparent tip through which light passes during
the light-curing procedure. The transparent attachment may be color
tinted or treated for creating a desired effect, such as, for
filtering undesirable wavelengths of light. The transparent
attachment may also include optical focusing, collimating, or
dispersing attributes for directing the light to the desired
application site in a desired manner.
[0007] However, the tip in the art is constructed so that if a lens
cover or protector is used without the tacking tip, the lens cover
will have to be removed prior to attaching the tacking tip.
[0008] In another manner, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,835,064,
a curing light has 2 sets of LEDs: one set emitting light at a
wavelength spectrum having partial overlap with the absorption
spectrum of the composite activator or sensitizer, and another set
emitting light at a wavelength spectrum that substantially overlaps
with the absorption spectrum of the composite sensitizer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention relates to a curing light having a
detachable tip for spot curing of light sensitive composites.
[0010] The present invention also relates to a curing light having
a detachable tip for effecting partial curing of light sensitive
composites.
[0011] One advantage of the tip of the present invention as
compared to prior art tips is that it is adapted to be securely
fitted over the end of a curing light device until actively
removed, without the need to remove any protective cover, focusing
lens, reflector, light guide, clear cover, dome or similar
structure that may be mislaid or lost. The tip of the present
invention also offers the added advantage of a simplified design
without the necessity of having built-in complex optical properties
normally served by the protective cover. At the same time, the
presently disclosed tip retains the advantages offered by prior art
tips. In one embodiment, the portion of the tip that envelopes the
portion of the lens cap may be made of the same material. In
another embodiment, the portion of the tip that envelopes the
portion of the lens cap may be made of different materials having
similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
[0012] The curing light includes a light module housing having a
substantially hollow interior, a proximal end and a distal end.
Portions of the light module housing serve as a handle. A light
module is housed in a desired position within the interior of the
module housing. The light module includes at least one light source
and at least one heat sink. The heat sink serves to divert heat
away from the light source.
[0013] The light module housing further includes a lens cap (which
may be open or closed), which may be a reflector, a focusing lens,
a dome, a lens cover, a light guide or similar structure, or
combinations thereof. The lens cap is located near the proximal end
of the housing. A detachable tip, adapted to envelope at least a
portion of the lens cap, includes a conical-shaped body having an
open aperture at the apex of the conical-shaped body. The tip may
be opaque, either colored or white, and, except for the aperture,
substantially blocks all light.
[0014] The present invention also relates to a curing light device
suitable for curing of light curable dental composite material. The
curing light device includes a distal end and a proximal end, with
the proximal end of the housing being the light emitting end. The
curing light includes a molded reflector, a lens cap and a tip
adapted to securely envelope the cap until actively removed. The
lens cap may be a lens cover, a dome, a light guide, a focusing
lens or a similar structure, or combinations thereof. The molded
reflector and at least a portion of the housing to which the
reflector is attached may be made of similar materials or materials
having similar coefficients of thermal expansion.
[0015] The present invention further relates to a tip adapted to
securely envelope at least a portion of the lens cap until actively
removed, the tip including a conical-shaped body having an
exterior, an interior, and an aperture at the apex of the
conical-shaped body. The tip may be opaque, for example, white or
colored, and except for the aperture, substantially blocks all
light. The tip also includes at least one protrusion on the
interior of the body for repeatably positioning of the tip onto the
lens cap.
[0016] The present invention still further relates to a series of
tips having apertures of varying diameters for effecting spot
curing of composites with varying sizes.
[0017] In one embodiment, the reflector may be of a substantially
cylindrical shape having a hollow interior, a proximal end, a
distal end, an inside and an outside surface. The reflector may be
an integral part of the proximal end of the housing, at the
extension of the housing. The interior surface of the reflector has
a reflective surface, for example, the reflective surface includes
a thin coating of metal.
[0018] In another embodiment, the reflective surface is concave and
is adapted for directing and/or focusing the light from the light
source to a desired location, such as the detachable tip.
[0019] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the tip, the
lens cap, the reflector and the portion of the housing on which the
tip is mounted may be formed of the same material or different
materials having similar coefficients of thermal expansion. This
minimizes stress to the assembled curing light device that may
otherwise result due to thermal effects during use.
[0020] In a further embodiment of the invention, the lens cap and
the tip may be attached as a unit and the entire unit is
detachable. The attachment may be permanent or removable. In some
embodiments, the tip enveloping the lens cap and the lens cap may
also be integrally molded together.
[0021] In one aspect, the tip includes a circular ring section
having a side-wall adapted to envelope the lens cap securely in a
friction fit. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the
side-wall of the circular ring section is substantially uniform
throughout for fitting over a lens cap having a substantially
uniform diameter side wall.
[0022] In another aspect, the lens cap includes ridges for mating
with a corresponding groove, channel, depression or enlarged
diameter portion on the inside side-wall of the circular ring
section of the tip such that the tip envelopes at least a portion
of the lens cap.
[0023] In a further aspect, at least a portion of the interior
surface of the tip may be reflective for reflecting any light
towards the aperture.
[0024] In yet a further aspect, the curing light housing includes a
polymer, and a polymeric molded reflector having a reflective
coating on its inside surface. A polymeric lens cap fits over the
proximal end of the housing and a polymeric detachable tip fits
over the lens cap. The reflective coating may be a metal coating,
formed by any coating method including vacuum deposition.
[0025] In still yet another aspect, the reflector and at least the
portion of the housing close to the reflector are integrally molded
together.
[0026] In still yet a further aspect, the reflector is attached to
the housing. The attachment may be effected by an adhesive, and/or
grooves or threads present in either one or both mating surfaces.
The attachment can be permanent or temporary (i.e., removable and
replaceable).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a curing
light.
[0028] FIG. 1a shows a cross-section of an embodiment of a
detachable tip of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 1b shows a rear side perspective view of an embodiment
of a detachable tip of the present invention.
[0030] FIG. 1c shows a front perspective view of an embodiment of a
detachable tip of the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 2 shows a front side perspective view of a lens cap of
the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2a shows a rear side perspective view of a lens cap of
the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the
proximal end of the light module housing fitted with a tip of the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the
reflector of the invention.
[0035] FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional side-view of an embodiment of
the reflector of the invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 shows a posterior perspective view of an embodiment
of the reflector of the invention.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows an exploded perspective view of the proximal
portion of the housing of the curing light of the invention.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the proximal end of a
housing of a curing light of the invention.
[0039] FIG. 9 shows an embodiment of a charger base or cradle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0040] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a
description of the presently preferred device provided in
accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not
intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention
may be practiced or utilized. It is to be understood, however, that
the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished
by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
[0041] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those
described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the
invention, the preferred methods, devices and materials are now
described.
[0042] A curing light device useful for curing or activating
light-activated materials is disclosed. The present invention has
applications in a variety of fields, including but not limited to
medicine and dentistry, where light-activated materials comprising
a photoinitiator or photoinitiators are used. As an example, a
photoinitiator absorbs light of a particular wavelength and
initiates the polymerization of monomers into polymers.
[0043] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a curing light 100
having a light module housing 101 which includes a handle 102
having a distal end 111, a proximal end 112 and a neck and head
portion 103 on its proximal end at an angle to the handle portion
102. The light module housing 101 has a substantially cylindrical
shape having a substantially hollow interior 101a with at least one
heat sink 120 located in the light module housing 101. The heat
sink 120 includes at least one mounting platform (not shown) for
mounting a light source 130, for example, a lamp, an arc lamp such
as a halogen light source, semiconductor light emitting devices,
light-emitting chips such as an LED, a solid state LED, an LED
array, a fluorescent bulb, and so on or combinations thereof.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one reflector 46 to
focus and direct the light from the light source 130, may be
located towards the head and neck portion 103 of the proximal end
112 of the housing 101, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.
[0045] FIG. 1 also shows a lens cap 20 present towards the head and
neck portion 103 of the light module housing 101. The lens cap 20
may be detachably mounted to wards the head and neck portion 103,
or it may be integrally formed on the head and neck portion 103,
and will be discussed in detail below.
[0046] FIG. 1a shows a cross-sectional view of a detachable tip 10,
adapted for securely enveloping the lens cap 20, as shown in FIG.
1. The lens cap includes a proximal end 20a and a distal end 20b,
as shown in FIG. 2. As noted, the lens cap may be a reflector, a
lens cover, a focusing dome, a light guide and the like, or
combinations thereof.
[0047] As noted before, the tip has the advantage of being
configured to be fitted over the end of a curing light device
without the need to remove any protective cover, reflector or
focusing lens so that parts may not be mislaid or lost. It also has
the added advantage of a simplified design without the necessity of
having built-in complex optical properties normally served by the
protective cover, lens cover, a focusing lens, a dome, a light
guide, a reflector or similar structure. At the same time, the tip
retains all the advantages offered by prior art tips, such as, to
be used in tacking or shaping the composite, to partially cure the
composite, to spot cure the composite or the like.
[0048] In one embodiment, the portion of the tip 10 adapted for
enveloping the portion of the lens cap 20 may be made of the same
material. In another embodiment, the portion of the tip 10 adapted
for enveloping the portion of the lens cap 20 may be made of
different materials having similar coefficients of thermal
expansion. In a further embodiment, the portion of the tip 10
adapted for enveloping the portion of the lens cap 20, and the
portion of the housing attached to the lens cap may be made of the
same material different materials having similar coefficients of
thermal expansion. Therefore, the choice of material may aid in
minimizing thermal stress during operation or cool down of the
curing light device.
[0049] In one embodiment, the lens cap 20 includes a rim, a bump, a
ridge, a protrusion or similar raised structure 22 about its distal
end 20b for mating with a corresponding groove, channel,
depression, or enlarged diameter portion 13 of the tip 10, as shown
in FIG. 3, to be discussed in more detail below.
[0050] The tip 10 has a substantially hollow interior 19, as shown
in FIG. 1c (a front perspective view of tip 10), with a proximal
portion 16 and a distal portion 14, as shown in FIGS. 1b (a rear
side perspective view of tip 10), and 1c.
[0051] The proximal portion 16 of the tip 10 may include a circular
ring section 16a, as exemplified in FIGS. 1b and 1c. The circular
ring portion 16a may include a flat side wall having substantially
the same diameter throughout, as exemplified in FIGS. 1b and 1c. In
one embodiment, the proximal portion 16 may also include an
enlarged region 16b for facilitating ease of grip during attaching
and removal of the tip 10 to and from the lens cap 20, as shown in
FIGS. 1c and 3. In one aspect, the inner diameter of 16b may be
substantially the same as the rest of the proximal portion 16. In
another aspect, the outer diameter of portions of the enlarged
portion 16b may be larger than the diameter of the rest of the
proximal portion 16. In a further aspect, portions of the inner
diameter 13 of this enlarge portion 16b may be larger than the rest
of the proximal portion 16 for easy mating with the rim portion 22
of the lens cap 20, as exemplified in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0052] An aperture 12 is disposed towards the distal end 14, near
the apex of the tip 10. In one embodiment, apart from the aperture
12, the tip is substantially opaque to light emitted by the curing
light 100. Thus, the diameter or footprint of the beam exiting the
curing light device of the present invention corresponds to the
diameter or size of the aperture 12 of the tip 10. In another
embodiment, a series of tips with varying aperture size is
envisioned for use depending on the size of spot curing desired to
add versatility to the system. All the tips in a series may be
sized to fit securely over a lens cap and for the same curing
light, only the, size of the aperture is varied.
[0053] FIG. 1c shows the interior cavity 19 of the tip 10 from its
proximal end 16. In one embodiment, at least portions of this
interior cavity 19 may be reflective, for reflecting, directing or
focusing light entering the tip 10 from the curing light towards
the aperture 12. In another embodiment, the interior may be opaque,
adapted to absorb light except that passing through the aperture
12.
[0054] The aperture 12 is substantially smaller than the diameter
of the interior cavity 19, serving to reduce the footprint of the
light exiting the tip 10 in relation to the light entering it,
effecting spot curing even if the diameter of light exiting the
lens cap 20 is relatively large.
[0055] The tip 10 also has an elongated portion towards the distal
end 14 and aperture 12 that may also allow for spot manipulation of
the curing compound, if desired.
[0056] FIG. 1c also exemplifies at least one internal protrusion
18. The protrusion 18 may serve to prevent the lens 20 from being
pushed too deeply into the tip 10 or vice versa. It may also help
to position the tip 10 over the lens cap 20 in a more repeatable
fashion so that the distance between the lens cap 20 and the
aperture 12 may be predetermined or preset, as shown in FIG. 3,
according to the position of protrusion. Thus, the protrusion does
not only provide a repeatable positioning of the tip 10, it may
also be adapted to vary the pre-determined position of the tip 10.
In addition, the protrusion may be of any structure, including a
bump, a ridge or similar.
[0057] Alternately, as shown in FIG. 3, a zoomed in cross-sectional
view of tip 10 disposed onto lens cap 20 of curing light device 100
is exemplified, with the locking interaction between the ridge or
rim 22 on lens cap 20 and the corresponding groove, channel,
depression or enlarged inner diameter portion 13 of tip 10. The
mating of ridge or rim 22 of the lens cap 20 with the enlarged
inner diameter portion, depression, channel or groove 13 of the
enlarged portion 16b may also serve to position the tip 10 onto the
lens cap 20 in a repeatable fashion. Similarly, the position of the
channel, depression or enlarged inner diameter portion 13 may also
serve to vary the pre-determined position of the tip 10.
[0058] The lens cap 20 and the tip 10 may be made of the same or
different material from the housing 101 of the curing light device.
If they are made of different materials, the materials may be, for
example, of similar coefficients of thermal expansion for
minimizing thermal stress during operation or cool down of the
curing light device.
[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the proximal
end portion 112 may end in a light-emitting end, for example, the
head and neck portion 103, as shown in FIG. 1, which includes a
light source 130. The light source 130 is shown in FIG. 7 as an
LED, though it may be any suitable light source, as noted above,
including, but not limited to, a single LED device, a single LED
device array, a plurality of LED arrays, a single diode laser
device, an array of diode laser devices, a Vertical Cavity Surface
Emitting Laser (VCSEL) device or array of devices, or one or more
LED or laser modules. The wavelength of light emitted from the
light source may be any desired wavelength or combination of
different wavelengths, chosen according to the characteristics of
the photoinitiator(s) in the light-activated material to be cured.
Any of the semiconductor and heat sink arrangements described
herein may be used to construct desired lights.
[0060] In an exemplary embodiment, a single LumiLeds.TM.-type LED
light source 130 may be mounted towards the head and neck portion
103 of the proximal end 112 of the housing 101. The light source
may be a Luxeon.TM. V Star light source which may include up to
four LEDs mounted on a single sub-mount and encapsulated by a
single lens. Such a light source is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,498,355 to Harrah et al and U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,924 to Carey et
al, which are both assigned to LumiLeds Lighting of San Jose,
Calif., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. The Luxeon.TM. V Star light source is available in a
blue color, Lambertian radiation pattern, and produces about 525
mW/cm.sup.2. Other wavelengths are also possible.
[0061] As shown in FIG. 5, the light source 130 may include any or
all of the following: a slug 36, a sub-mount 37, one to four LEDs
38 mounted thereto, a lead frame 39, and a metal lead 41 extending
through the lead frame. A plastic lens 35 having a hemispherical
dome shape may also cover the one to four LEDs.
[0062] In one embodiment, the curing light further includes an
extension portion (not specifically shown) such as a light
transport or a light guide, for directing or transporting light to
a desired location of a work surface such as a patient's mouth. The
light module may also be located towards the proximal end 112.
Generally, however, the light module is located in the housing 101.
The head and neck portion 103 may also form part of the light
transport system.
[0063] An elongated surface or mounting member (not shown), which
may be made of, for example, copper or a brass material, may be
used for mounting the light source 130 (as shown in FIG. 5)
thereon. The mounting member may include an elongated base section
and a mounting section including a mounting deck. The light source
130 may be mounted on the mounting section and the mounting member
may be configured to reside within the head and neck portion 103 of
the proximal end 112.
[0064] As noted, the extension may be a light guide or light
transport tube for directing the light onto a working surface. In
one embodiment, the light source 130 and the reflector 46 may be
located away from the emitting end of the housing 101 so that the
locus of heat dissipation of the curing light will be comparatively
remote from the patient.
[0065] The heat sink 120, exemplified as an elongated heat sink in
FIGS. 1 and 7 (although other geometries are possible), is shown to
be positioned inside the housing 101, in close proximity to the
light source 130, to conduct, or dissipate heat from the light
source 130. In some embodiments, the light source 130 may be
mounted on a mounting platform 121 on the heat sink 120. If the
light source 130 is located away from the proximal end or in an
extension portion, then the heat sink 120 is similarly located.
[0066] In another embodiment, the heat sink 130 may be configured
to have fins, corrugations, or other geometric features adapted to
provide a large surface area for convective cooling of the heat
sink 120. In still another embodiment, the curing light device 100
includes an electric motor mechanically coupled to a fan or
turbine. The fan or turbine may be adapted to draw or urge ambient
air across a surface of the heat sink 120 to provide cooling of the
heat sink 120. In one embodiment, this cooling occurs when the
curing light is at rest or being recharged. In another embodiment,
the cooling means is present inside a charger base or cradle 200,
as shown in FIG. 9 for recharging the curing light. In other
embodiments, the charger base or cradle 200 may not have a fan 201
or cooling means, but instead or additionally, many include a
display panel (not shown) for displaying a condition of the
battery.
[0067] The heat sink 120 may be made of any suitable material that
is efficient in heat conduction or dissipation. The heat sink of
the invention includes monolithic heat sinks and combinational heat
sinks. Combinational Heat sinks are often a combination of two
different kinds of materials, the first with a low thermal
expansion rate and the second with high thermal conductivity.
Monolithic heat sinks may be made of one material. Examples of some
heat sink materials which may be used in lights depicted herein
include copper, aluminum, silver, magnesium, steel, silicon
carbide, boron nitride, tungsten, molybdenum, cobalt, chrome, Si,
SiO.sub.2, SiC, AlSi, AlSiC, natural diamond, monocrystalline
diamond, polycrystalline diamond, polycrystalline diamond compacts,
diamond deposited through chemical vapor deposition and diamond
deposited through physical vapor deposition, and composite
materials or compounds. As mentioned, any materials with adequate
heat conductance and/or dissipation properties may be used. If
desired, a heat sink 120 may have fins or other surface
modifications or structures to increase surface area and enhance
heat dissipation.
[0068] Thermoelectric type heat sinks and heat sinks employing a
phase change materials are also useful, especially those with phase
change materials, as disclosed in a copending patent application,
entitled Dental Light Devices With Phase Change Material Filled
Heat Sink" filed Jul. 2, 2004, as U.S. patent application Ser. No.
60/585,224, incorporated herein by reference.
[0069] Heat sinks having a phase change material may more
efficiently remove or divert heat from a light source or sources
with a given weight of heat sink material when compared to a heat
sink made of a solid block of thermally conductive material such as
metal. Such a heat sink may even efficiently remove or divert heat
from a curing light device when a reduced weight of the material is
used. Using a phase change material enclosed inside a hollow
thermally conductive material such as a metal heat sink instead of
a conventional solid metal heat sink can decrease the weight of the
curing light and increase the time the heat sink takes to reach the
"shut off" temperature, as it is called in the dental curing light
industry. The period prior to reaching the shut off temperature is
called the "run time". Increasing the "run time", i.e., the time
that the light can remain on, increases the time when a dentist can
perform the curing or whitening procedure.
[0070] In one embodiment, a rechargeable dental curing light
including at least one phase change material is disclosed. In
another embodiment, a dental whitening light including at least one
phase change material is disclosed. The heat sink includes a block
of thermally conductive material, such as metal, having a bore or
void space which is at least partially filled with a phase change
material.
[0071] The heat sink may be constructed by hollowing out a
thermally conductive material, such as metal, and at least
partially filling the void with at least one phase change material
prior to capping it to secure the phase change material inside,
such that the at least one phase change material is substantially
contained or surrounded by a thermally conductive material such as
metal normally used in the construction of a conventional heat
sink.
[0072] Alternatively, the heat sink may be cast or machined from a
thermally conductive material, such as metal, to create walls
surrounding a bore or void. The bore or void is partially filled
with at least one phase change material prior to capping it to
secure the material inside.
[0073] In one embodiment, the inventive heat sink may be used by
itself. In another embodiment, it may be used in addition to a fan,
in conjunction with a conventional metal block heat sink or
combinations thereof.
[0074] The inventive heat sink may be installed into the dental
curing light, imaging or whitening light source in the same manner
a conventional metal block heat sink is installed, such as by
attaching it to the heat generating source, i.e., the light source,
which may include any of the ones mentioned above or combinations
thereof, or by attaching it to another heat sink.
[0075] Suitable phase change material may include organic
materials, inorganic materials and combinations thereof. These
materials can undergo substantially reversible phase changes, and
can typically go through a large, if not an infinite number of
cycles without losing their effectiveness. Organic phase change
materials include paraffin waxes, 2,2-dimethyl-n-docosane
(C.sub.24H.sub.50)/trimyristin,
((C.sub.13H.sub.27COO).sub.3C.sub.3H.sub.3), and 1,3-methyl
pentacosane (C.sub.26H.sub.54). Inorganic materials such as
hydrated salts including sodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate
(Na.sub.2HPO.sub.4.12 H.sub.2O), sodium sulfate decahydrate
(Na.sub.2SO.sub.4.10H.sub.2O), ferric chloride hexahydrate
(FeCl.sub.3.6 H.sub.2O), and TH29 (a hydrated salt having a melting
temperature of 29.degree. C., available from TEAP Energy of
Wangara, Australia) or metallic alloys, such as Ostalloy 117 or
UM47 (available from Umicore Electro-Optic Materials) are also
contemplated. Exemplary materials are solids at ambient
temperature, having melting points between about 30.degree. C. and
about 50.degree. C., more for example, between about 35.degree. C.
and about 45.degree. C. Also, the exemplary materials have a high
specific heat, for example, at least about 1.7, more for example,
at least about 1.9, when they are in the state at ambient
temperature. In addition, the phase change materials may, for
example, have a specific heat of at least about 1.5, more for
example, at least about 1.6, when they are in the state at the
elevated temperatures.
[0076] The phase change material may also have a high latent heat
of fusion for storing significant amounts of heat energy. This
latent heat of fusion may be, for example, at least about 30 kJ/kg,
more for example, at least about 200 kJ/kg.
[0077] Thermal conductivity of the materials is a factor in
determining the rate of heat transfer from the thermally conductive
casing to the phase change material and vice versa. The thermal
conductivity of the phase change material may be, for example, at
least about 0.5 W/m.degree. C. in the state at ambient temperature
and at least about 0.45 W/m.degree. C. in the state at elevated
temperature.
[0078] In one embodiment, the heat sink 120 may include a first
power conductor 19a and a second power conductor 19b for conducting
heat away from the light source.
[0079] In an exemplary embodiment, the reflector 46 may be mounted
inside the housing towards the head and neck portion 103 of the
proximal end 112, as shown in FIGS. 3, 7 and 8. The reflector 46
may be configured to reflect light generated by the light source
130 to a desired location on the work surface, such as a patient's
mouth, or towards the tip 10, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0080] The reflector 46 is of a cylindrical shape, as exemplified
in FIGS. 4-6. In one embodiment, the reflector 46 may be used to
retain the light source 130 within the emitting end 103 of the
curing light device.
[0081] In the present embodiment, the reflector 46 may include a
threaded portion 46a, a reflective surface 46b and an LED aperture
46c. The reflector 46 may be mounted to the head and neck portion
103 by threading the internally threaded end 48 of the reflector on
the head and neck section, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0082] The reflector 46 may also be molded onto the end of the head
and neck portion 103 and housed inside the proximal end 112, in
addition to being threadably connected to the head and neck portion
103 of the proximal portion 112 via grooves or external threads 46a
on the outside of the cylindrical body 46. The external threads may
be mated to the threads or grooves on the inside of the head and
neck portion 103 of the housing 101. The reflector 46 may also be
attached by means of an adhesive, such as any structural bonding
adhesive including an epoxy, one or two part, polyurethane
adhesives, one or two parts, a cyanoacrylate based adhesive, or a
foam mounting adhesive. The foam mounting adhesive may also aid in
shock absorption.
[0083] In one embodiment, the reflector 46 may be either
permanently attached to the head and neck portion 103 of the
housing 101, or to an extension thereof. In another embodiment, the
reflector 46 may be made to be removable. If an extension portion
(not shown) is present, the extension may include a permanently
attached or integrally molded reflector, and may be made to be
removable from the head and neck portion 103 of the proximal end
112 of the housing 101 as on part.
[0084] The housing 101, and an embodiment of a reflector, may be
made of any polymeric material such as, for example, a polymer that
can be molded or cast; or a metal or metallic alloy. Suitable
polymers include polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene,
polystyrene, polyester, acrylic polymers, polyvinylchloride,
polyamide, or polyetherimide like ULTEM.RTM.; a polymeric alloy
such as Xenoy.RTM. resin, which is a composite of polycarbonate and
polybutyleneterephthalate or Lexan.RTM. plastic, which is a
copolymer of polycarbonate and isophthalate terephthalate
resorcinol resin (all available from GE Plastics), liquid crystal
polymers, such as an aromatic polyester or an aromatic polyester
amide containing, as a constituent, at least one compound selected
from the group consisting of an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid
(such as hydroxybenzoate (rigid monomer), hydroxynaphthoate
(flexible monomer), an aromatic hydroxyamine and an aromatic
diamine, (exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,063, 6,274,242,
6,643,552 and 6,797,198, the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference), polyesterimide anhydrides with terminal
anhydride group or lateral anhydrides (exemplified in U.S. Pat. No.
6,730,377, the content of which is incorporated herein by
reference)or combinations thereof.
[0085] In addition, any polymeric composite such as engineering
prepregs or composites, which are polymers filled with pigments,
carbon particles, silica, glass fibers, conductive particles such
as metal particles or conductive polymers, or mixtures thereof may
also be used. For example, a blend of polycarbonate and ABS
(Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) may be used for the housing
101a.
[0086] Generally, materials usable in housing 101 include, for
example, polymeric materials or composites having high temperature
resistance.
[0087] Suitable metal or metallic alloys may include stainless
steel; aluminum; an alloy such as Ni/Ti alloy; any amorphous metals
including those available from Liquid Metal, Inc. or similar ones,
such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,611, and U.S. patent
application No. 2004/0121283, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0088] A liquid crystal polymer or a cholesteric liquid crystal
polymer, such as one that can reflect rather than transmit light
energy, may be used in various embodiments of the invention. For
example, a liquid crystal polymer or a cholesteric liquid crystal
polymer may be used as a coating on an interior surface 101 of the
light module housing 101, to minimize the waste of light energy
generated by the light source (as described, for example, in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,293,435, 5,332,522, 6,043,861, 6,046,791, 6,573,963,
and 6,836,314, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference).
[0089] In an exemplary embodiment, the reflector 46 is metallized
on its interior surface 46b so as to create a reflective surface.
Depending on the thickness of the metal coating, the amount of
reflection may be varied. Preferably, the reflector exhibits a high
degree of reflectivity.
[0090] The reflective surface may also shape and focus the light
emitted by the light source 130. In some embodiments, a focusing
lens may also be used. The direction of light reflection depends on
the shape of the reflective surface 46b. For example, a concave
surface may be used. The degree of curvature of the surface will
also influence the direction of the reflected light. Thus, the
shape and the curvature of the reflective surface will help to
shape and focus the light to any desired direction.
[0091] The reflector 46 may be, for example, molded or cast out of
a high temperature polymer, in much the same way as the polymers
used for the construction of the housing 101. In another
embodiment, the reflector 46 may be, for example, injection molded
using a mold. This produces higher degree of reproducibility of the
reflectors 46. The polymers, as noted, may also be those that can
be molded or cast and coated.
[0092] In one embodiment, the reflective surface is, for example,
metallic, and may be formed through coating. Any one or more
coating techniques for forming a thin film coating may be used.
Such techniques include any methods of metallization of a polymeric
surface such as Gas-phase coating techniques. These techniques are
generally known as physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor
deposition (CVD), and plasma deposition. These techniques commonly
involve generating a gas-phase coating material that condenses onto
or reacts with a substrate surface. Various gas-phase deposition
methods are described in "Thin Films: Film Formation Techniques,"
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 4.sup.th ed., vol. 23 (New
York, 1997), pp. 1040-76, incorporated herein by reference.
[0093] PVD is a vacuum process where the coating material is
vaporized by evaporation, by sublimation, or by bombardment with
energetic ions from a plasma (sputtering). The vaporized material
condenses to form a solid film on the substrate. The deposited
material is generally metallic or ceramic in nature (see
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology as cited above).
[0094] CVD processes involve reacting two or more gas-phase species
(precursors) to form solid metallic and/or ceramic coatings on a
surface (see Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology as cited above).
In a high-temperature CVD method, the reactions occur on surfaces
that can be heated at 300.degree. C. to 1000.degree. C. or more,
and thus the substrates are limited to materials that can withstand
relatively high temperatures. At the same time, in a
plasma-enhanced CVD method, the reactions are activated by a
plasma, and therefore the substrate temperature can be
significantly lower, and polymers such as polystyrene and polyester
may also be used in the construction of the reflector.
[0095] Plasma deposition, also known as plasma polymerization, is
analogous to plasma-enhanced CVD, except that the precursor
materials and the deposited coatings are typically organic in
nature. The plasma significantly breaks up the precursor molecules
into a distribution of molecular fragments and atoms that randomly
recombine on a surface to generate a solid coating (see
Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology as cited above). A
characteristic of a plasma-deposited coating is the presence of a
wide range of functional groups, including many types of functional
groups not contained in the precursor molecules, thus it is less
amenable to use in the present invention.
[0096] Other embodiments of the invention may include a reflecting
surface that includes anodized aluminum, and a reflecting surface
formed by vapor deposition of dielectric layers onto metallic
layers. For example, a metallic layer may be deposited on an
anodized surface as a base reflection layer, followed by deposition
of a low refractive index and then a high refractive index
dielectric layer. Such materials include those available from
Alannod, Ltd. of the United Kingdom, and may include a cholesteric
liquid crystal polymer.
[0097] Cholesteric liquid crystal polymers can reflect rather than
transmit light energy, and may be used either as a surface coating
layer or as the main ingredient of the reflector, as described, for
example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,293,435, 5,332,522, 6,043,861,
6,046,791, 6,573,963, and 6,836,314, the contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference. Other materials with similar
properties may also be employed in the invention.
[0098] The coating methods used in the invention may include, for
example, those that may be operated at lower temperatures to create
a thin and substantially continuous layer on a polymeric surface.
Such methods may add to the versatility and flexibility in the
choice of materials, both the polymeric material and the metallic
coating. Some metallic coating may be reflective only as a thin
coating. These may thus be used, as well as lower temperature
polymers.
[0099] Any metal that is amenable to being coated as a relatively
thin film to generate a reflective surface may be used. Some
examples include aluminum, indium/tin oxide, silver, gold and
mixtures thereof. Aluminum may also be in the form of anodized
aluminum.
[0100] In one embodiment, reflector 46 and an extension, or at
least portions the head and neck portion 103, may be, for example,
made out of the same material, similar material, or material having
similar coefficients of thermal expansion. For example, a
polycabonate material may be used so that there is little or no
difference in the coefficients of thermal expansions. Where
different coefficients of thermal expansion are present, as is
found in a reflector 46 made of metal and a plastic extension, the
result may be hoop stress imparted from the metal reflector into
the housing as the reflector expands at a rate greater than the
extension. Such hoop stress may lead to premature failure of the
unit. Such failure is minimized or eliminated by the present
embodiment of the invention.
[0101] The plastic molded reflector 46 also offers increased impact
resistance in various embodiments of the invention. When the
plastic reflector 46 is molded out of the same material as the
extension housing, the two components, when mated as system, form a
much more impact resistant configuration than a metal reflector
bonded into the plastic extension during drop test. Without wishing
to be bound to a theory, it is surmised that during drop tests with
the system having a metal reflector, more of the load is directly
transmitted to the extension, increasing the potential for high
stress levels in the extension and failure of the extension.
Additionally, metal reflectors are usually bonded to the housing
using a bonding adhesive. Because the metal reflector does not
absorb impact, it may simply separate from the extension when the
curing light is dropped, breaking its adhesive bond.
[0102] The reflector, 46, may be, for example, molded, as the
molding process is highly repeatable. A mold may be made and the
optical geometry of the inside of the reflector remains
substantially invariant over the molding process, from part to
part. This compares very favorably with the manufacturing process
involved in making metal reflectors. In particular, individually
machining metal reflectors may create a potential for high
variability in the geometry and the surface reflectivity. This
variability may be evident not just from reflector to reflector,
but over the surface of a single reflector. This variability may
lead to lower illumination efficiencies.
[0103] The plastic reflector also allows for a vacuum metallization
process to be used to create a mirror like finish, thus yielding a
high, to very high, level of efficiency in the illumination system.
This is especially true in comparison to a polished surface of a
machined metal part, since polishing is more likely to create pits
and non-uniformity in the metal surface depending on the abrasive
polishing materials and methods used.
[0104] Since the molding process is amenable to mass production,
the use of a plastic molded part that is metallized also yields a
more efficient illumination system for a given price in comparison
to a machined metal part.
[0105] In addition, plastic reflectors may have an extra advantage
of being adapted to be formed in any color. Experimentation has
found that molding the reflector out of a white plastic may yield
better reflectivity.
[0106] In one embodiment, the thickness of the reflective layer may
be sufficiently thin so as not to substantially affect the thermal
expansion of the base polymer, or the mechanical properties of the
reflector.
[0107] The lens cap 20 may be, for example, made of the same or
different material as the reflector and/or housing, all of which
material may have approximately similar coefficients of thermal
expansion, for the reasons discussed above. The lens cap 20 is
generally transparent, if it serves only to protect the light
source 130 and/or the reflector 46. The lens cap 20 may also be
reflective or focusing for guiding and/or focusing the light
towards the tip 10. The lens cap 20 may, for example, have a
substantially flat portion towards its proximal end or its proximal
end may also be dome-shaped, as shown FIGS. 2 and 2a. In general,
the reflector 46 and/or the lens cap 20 determine the location of
the focus of the beam prior to the arrival of the beam at the tip
10. Thus, as noted before, the tip may only serve to vary the size
or diameter of the beam by the size or diameter of its aperture
12.
[0108] The tip 10 may, for example, again be made of the same
material as that suitable for the housing 101, lens cap 20 or
reflector 46. If different materials are used, those having similar
coefficients of thermal expansion as that of the other parts are
typically chosen. If the head and neck portion 103 of the housing
101, the reflector 46, the lens cap 20 and tip 10 are all made of
the same material or different materials having similar
coefficients of thermal expansion, then the thermal expansion
stresses may be minimized, as noted above.
[0109] Further, for example, the tip 10 may be substantially
opaque, either white or colored, or internally reflective so that
the only substantial exit point for any light entering the tip is
through the aperture 12. In one embodiment, for example, at least a
portion of the interior surface of the tip 10 may be reflective for
reflecting any light towards the aperture. The reflective surface
of the tip may include any of the reflective materials discussed
above, or it may include any transparent or translucent material
capable of refracting light to prevent leakage from the walls of
the tip. The tip may also include materials that are transparent to
certain wavelengths, but opaque to others, such as, for example, a
material transparent to visible light, but opaque to ultra-violet
light.
[0110] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the lens cap 20
and the tip 10 may be formed as a unit, attached as a unit, and the
entire unit may be detachable. The attachment between the lens cap
20 and the tip 10 may be permanent or removable.
[0111] In a further embodiment of the invention, the tip 10 and the
lens cap 20 may also be integrally molded together. The material
used for both may be the same or different.
[0112] In some embodiments, the curing light housing 101 includes a
polymer, and a polymeric molded reflector having a reflective
coating on its inside surface. A polymeric lens cap fits over the
proximal end of the housing and a polymeric detachable tip fits
over the lens cap. The reflective coating may be a metal coating,
formed by any coating method including vacuum deposition, as noted
above, for minimizing thermal stress during operation of the curing
light.
[0113] In one aspect, the reflector 46 and at least the portion of
the housing 101 close to the reflector 46 may be integrally molded
together. The lens cap 20, for example, then fits over the head and
neck portion of the housing 101 and the tip 10 fits over the lens
cap 20.
[0114] In another aspect, the reflector 46 may be attached to the
housing. The attachment may be effected by an adhesive, and/or
grooves or threads present in either one or both mating surfaces.
The attachment may be permanent or temporary (i.e., removable and
replaceable). The lens cap 20, again for example, fits over the
head and neck portion 103 of the housing 101 and the tip 10 fits
over the lens cap 20.
[0115] The invention may also relate to a series of tips 10 having
apertures 12 of varying diameters for effecting varying the sizes
of spot curing of composites. Thus, the tips 10 of the present
invention may be fashioned to give precise and minute spot curing
or partial curing of composites.
[0116] Having described the invention in the preferred embodiments,
the invention is further embodied in the appending claims set forth
below.
* * * * *