Apparatus and methods for concentrating light through fiber optic funnels coupled to dental light guides
US6208788A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/04
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus and methods for light activation of hardenable materials, such as filling materials located on dental surfaces, through fiber optic funnels coupled to light guides. Light generated by a light unit is directed through a light guide and then concentrated by a fiber optic funnel to direct concentrated light to hardenable materials. The fiber optic funnels comprises bundles of fiber optic strands. The fiber optic funnels are able to concentrate light according to their respective tapers. The fiber optic funnels are coupled to light guides by couplers which can be either rigid or elastomeric such that the couplers can be coupled with a specific light guide or conform to light guides having different diameters. A coupler can also enable a fiber optic funnel to pivot.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.