DENTAL HAND DEVICE FOR HARDENING A POLYMER

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dental hand device for hardening a polymer using light.

[0002] Document US 2007 / 031777 A1 concerns a multifunctional dental device that includes dental lasers and LEDs. The multifunctional dental device includes dental lasers for curing dental resin and light-emitting diodes for curing dental resin.

[0003] Publication US 2002 / 175628 A1 concerns light systems for activating light-activated materials.

[0004] Publication US 2004 / 076921 A1 concerns a lamp used for curing materials made from light-activated compounds.

[0005] The technical objective of the present invention is to make a dental hand instrument more efficient and energy-saving.

[0006] This technical problem is solved by the articles according to the independent claims. Technically advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims, the description, and the drawings.

[0007] According to a first aspect, the technical problem is solved by a dental handheld device for hardening a polymer using light, comprising a first light source that includes a laser diode for emitting light in a first wavelength range; and a second light source for emitting light in a second wavelength range; wherein the intensity maximum of the first wavelength range lies between 440 and 460 nm and the intensity maximum of the second wavelength range lies between 400 and 420 nm. The dental handheld device comprises only two light sources, each with only one intensity maximum.

[0008] The laser diode's light beam diverges only slightly. The combination of a laser diode and a light-emitting diode (LED) generates less heat and increases the efficiency of the dental handpiece. This results in both improved curing directly at the surface and a higher surface finish. The dental handpiece can be manufactured with a smaller battery and less material. Thanks to the laser diode, fillings can also be effectively cured at greater distances, and the divergence of the emitted light is minimal. .By combining it with another light source, the dental handpiece can generate a broad spectrum. The first wavelength range, for example, offers the technical advantage that it can be efficiently generated with a laser diode. This results in less heat generation and lower energy consumption. Furthermore, it provides a more linear beam pattern and advantageous penetration depth. The second wavelength range offers the technical advantage of improved curing directly on the surface and a higher surface finish.

[0009] In another advantageous embodiment of the dental handpiece, the first light source has a higher radiant power than the second light source. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the dental handpiece can be used for as many materials as possible, independent of an initiator system.

[0010] In a further advantageous embodiment of the dental hand device, the second light source comprises a laser diode or a light-emitting diode. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of using particularly suitable light sources.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment of the dental handpiece, the dental handpiece is designed to operate the first and second light sources simultaneously. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of accelerating the curing of the polymer and / or improving its physical properties.

[0012] In another advantageous embodiment of the dental handpiece, the dental handpiece comprises a bundle of light-conducting fibers. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the light from the two light sources can efficiently reach the polymer to be cured.

[0013] In another advantageous embodiment of the dental hand device, the laser diode is arranged such that the light from the laser diode strikes the light-conducting fibers of the bundle. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of improved homogeneity of the emitted light.

[0014] In another advantageous embodiment of the dental hand device, the beam directions of the first and second light sources are perpendicular to each other. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the light beams of the two light sources can be easily superimposed.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment of the dental handpiece, the dental handpiece includes a beam coupler for superimposing the light beams of the two light sources. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that the light sources can be arranged in different locations and do not interfere with each other.

[0016] In another advantageous embodiment of the dental hand device, the beam coupler includes an edge filter. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that certain wavelength ranges of the light beam can be absorbed.

[0017] In a further advantageous embodiment of the dental hand device, the device includes a collimating lens for parallelizing the light from the first and / or second light source. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage that parallel light beams can be generated which can be easily superimposed.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the dental handpiece, the dental handpiece comprises a reflector for reflecting the light and / or a lens for collimating the light. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of homogeneously illuminating the exit pupil and / or achieving good collimation of the exiting light.

[0019] In another advantageous embodiment of the dental handpiece, the reflector and the lens are formed by a single optical element. This achieves, for example, the technical advantage of simplifying the design of the dental handpiece.

[0020] A dental method for hardening a polymer using light, which is not part of the claimed invention, comprises the steps of emitting light in a first wavelength range by a first light source comprising a laser diode; and emitting light in a second wavelength range by a second light source.

[0021] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described in more detail below.

[0022] They show: Fig. 1 a representation of a dental hand device; Fig. 2 a spectrum of generated light; Fig. 3 a block diagram of a method; Fig. 4 a schematic representation of an embodiment of a dental hand device; and Fig. 5 another schematic representation of an embodiment of a dental hand device.

[0023] Fig. 1 Figure 1 shows a representation of a dental handheld device 100 for hardening a polymer using light. The dental handheld device 100 comprises a first light source 101-1, which includes a laser diode for emitting light in a first wavelength range 103-1. The dental handheld device 100 also includes a second light source 101-2 for emitting light in a second wavelength range 103-2. The first and second light sources 101-1 and 101-2 are located inside the dental handheld device 100. The wavelength ranges 103-1 and 103-2 are different from each other but can partially overlap.

[0024] The light from the two light sources 101-1 and 101-2 is guided by a light guide 105 to a polymer 107, which is to be photo-cured, such as a dental filling. The dental hand unit 100 includes, for example, a battery to power the two light sources 101-1 and 101-2. The two light sources 101-1 and 101-2 can be controlled independently of each other by appropriate control electronics.

[0025] The second light source 101-2 can comprise a laser diode or a light-emitting diode. The dental hand unit is designed to operate the first and second light sources 101-1 and 101-2 simultaneously. In this way, the spectra of the respective light sources 101-1 and 101-2 can be superimposed and output together by the dental hand unit 100.

[0026] A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that emits light by spontaneous emission when an electric current flows in the forward direction. In the reverse direction, the LED blocks the current. The wavelength of the emitted light depends on the semiconductor material and the doping of the diode. For example, an indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LED can be used to emit light with a wavelength of 460 nm or 410 nm.

[0027] A laser diode is a semiconductor device that generates coherent laser radiation via stimulated emission. Laser diodes utilize a heavily doped pn junction operating at high current densities. The device's end faces are partially reflective, forming an optical resonator in which a standing light wave can develop. The choice of semiconductor material determines the emitted wavelength. For example, a blue laser diode based on gallium nitride can be used. The light emitted by the laser diode typically has a beam angle of 0 to 5°. The focused radiation pattern of the laser diode allows the intensity to be maintained over a greater distance and achieves a greater penetration depth into the polymer.

[0028] Fig. 2 The graph shows the spectral radiant power of the dental handpiece 100 as a function of the respective wavelength. The spectral radiant power exhibits two peaks. The first peak is located at a wavelength of 450 nm and is generated by the first light source 101-1. The second peak is located at a wavelength of 410 nm and is generated by the second light source 101-2. The peak in the wavelength range 103-1 has a higher power than the peak in the second wavelength range 103-2. The first light source 101-1 is designed to generate light with a higher power than the second light source 101-2.

[0029] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a block diagram of a dental process for hardening a polymer using light. The dental process comprises step S101, which involves emitting light in the first wavelength range 103-1 by the first light source 101-1, which comprises a laser diode. The dental process further comprises step S102, which involves emitting light in a second wavelength range by a second light source 101-2.

[0030] A laser diode (101-1) serves as the light source, generating the primary light for curing in a wavelength range around 450 nm. A second light source (101-2), comprising a light-emitting diode or laser diode, generates light in a second wavelength range around 410 nm. The light from both light sources (101-1 and 101-2) is directed to the light-curable dental material via optics.

[0031] The laser diode has a higher efficiency, so the battery in the Dental Device 100 lasts longer. Furthermore, the light emission of the Laser Diode 101-2 is directional. Because the divergence of the emitted light is small, fillings can also be effectively hardened at a greater distance.

[0032] Fig. 4 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a dental hand device 100. The dental hand device 100 comprises a handpiece 109. The handpiece 109 contains the first light source 101-1 with a laser diode that emits light with a wavelength of 450 nm. The handpiece also contains the second light source with a light-emitting diode that emits light with a wavelength of 405 nm.

[0033] Light with a wavelength of 450 nm and light with a wavelength of 405 nm are each guided through collimating lenses 113. The collimating lenses 113 serve to generate light with an approximately parallel beam path from the light sources 101-1 and 101-2. This collimation serves to give the light a specific direction.

[0034] The parallel light from the two light sources 101-1 and 101-2 is then guided through an edge filter 111, acting as a beam coupler, for wavelength coupling. The edge filter 111 superimposes the light beams from the two light sources 101-1 and 101-2 and directs them in the same direction. The edge filter 111 has two more or less sharply separated spectral ranges in which it transmits (is transparent) and absorbs (is opaque). The beam coupler is formed, for example, by a disk positioned at a 45° angle in the beam path of the two light sources 101-1 and 101-2. The laser diode beam passes through the disk in a straight line, while the LED beam is reflected from the surface of the beam coupler. In this way, the laser and LED beams can be efficiently superimposed.The edge filter 111, for example, blocks out wavelengths above a wavelength greater than the wavelength emitted by the light source 101-1.

[0035] A collimated (parallel) light beam 115 emerges from the handpiece 109. This light beam 115 is directed into a lighting head 117. The lighting head includes a focusing lens 119, which focuses the light beam 115.

[0036] Inside the lighting head 117, a bundle of light-conducting fibers 121 is arranged. The focused light beam enters the bundle of light-conducting fibers 121. The bundle of light-conducting fibers 121 serves to guide the light from the handpiece 109 to the location of the polymer 107.

[0037] The laser diode of the dental handpiece 100 illuminates only the inner fibers of the bundle 121. This means that the light from the laser diode only enters the inner fibers of the bundle 121. For this purpose, the dental handpiece 100 can, for example, include a pinhole aperture that causes the light from the laser diode to strike only an inner part of the light-conducting fibers 121, while an outer part of the light-conducting fibers 121 remains unilluminated. The outer fibers 121 of the bundle 121 remain unilluminated by the laser diode. The light from the LED, on the other hand, enters not only the inner part of the light-conducting fibers 121, but also the outer part. This allows for greater homogeneity at the exit point and improved beam characteristics.

[0038] The light from the beam 121 then exits it and strikes a reflector 123, for example, in a parabolic shape. The reflector 123 ensures homogeneous illumination of the exit pupil. After reflection, the light beam exits the illumination head 117 through a lens 125. The lens 125 re-collimates the light. The reflector 123 and the lens 125 can be made from a single transparent part, such as a one-piece optical element.

[0039] This design achieves high homogeneity in the exit pupil, a small field angle, and good collimation. A collimated light beam is created at the interface between the handpiece 109 and the illumination head 117. High-intensity polychromatic light can be emitted from the dental unit 100.

[0040] Fig. 5Figure 1 shows another schematic representation of an embodiment of a dental handpiece. In this embodiment, the focusing lens 119 is arranged inside the handpiece 109. This results in a focused beam of light being emitted from the handpiece 109 at the interface between the handpiece 109 and the illumination head 117.

[0041] The illumination head 117 also contains a bundle of light-conducting fibers 121. The laser diode illuminates the fibers of the bundle 121. The illumination head 117 can be elastic and have different diameters. This allows the polymer 107 to be illuminated even in inaccessible areas. The illumination head 117 can be formed by an injection-molded part.

[0042] In this embodiment of the dental device 100, high homogeneity in the exit pupil, a small field angle, and good collimation are also achieved. A focused light beam is generated at the interface between the handpiece 109 and the illumination head 117, which can be easily coupled into the light-conducting fibers 121. Furthermore, the dental device 100 can emit polychromatic light at high power.

[0043] The scope of protection of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. REFERENCE MARK LIST

[0044] 100 Dental handpiece 101 Light source 103 Wavelength range 105 Optical fiber 107 Polymer 109 Handpiece 111 Edge filter 113 Collimation lenses 115 Light beam 117 Illumination head 119 Focusing lens 121 Bundle of light-conducting fibers 123 Reflector 125 Lens

Claims

1. A dental handheld device (100) for curing a polymer (107) by means of light, comprising: - a first light source (101-1) comprising a laser diode for outputting light in a first wavelength range (103-1); and - a second light source (101-2) for outputting light in a second wavelength range (103-2); wherein the intensity maximum of the first wavelength range (103-1) is between 440 and 460 nm und the intensity maximum of the second wavelength range (103-2) is between 400 and 420 nm, characterized in that the dental handheld device (100) comprises only two light sources (101-1, 101-2) with only one intensity maximum, respectively.

2. The dental handheld device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first light source (101-1) has a higher radiation power than the second light source (101-2).

3. The dental handheld device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second light source (101-2) comprises a laser diode or a light emitting diode.

4. The dental handheld device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental handheld device (100) is adapted to operate the first and second light sources (101-1, 101-2) simultaneously.

5. The dental handheld device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental handheld device (100) comprises a bundle of light conducting fibers (121).

6. The dental handheld device (100) according to claim 5, wherein the laser diode is arranged such that the light from the laser diode is incident on the light conducting fibers (121) of the bundle.

7. The dental handheld device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the beam directions of the first and second light sources (101-1; and 101-2) are perpendicular to each other.

8. The dental handheld device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental handheld device (100) comprises a beam coupler (111) for superimposing the light beams of the two light sources (101-1) and (101-2).

9. The dental handheld device (100) according to claim 8, wherein the beam coupler (111) comprises an edge filter.

10. The dental handheld device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental handheld device (100) comprises a collimating lens (113) for collimating the light from the first and / or second light source (101-1, 101-2).

11. The dental handheld device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dental handheld device (100) comprises a reflector (123) for reflecting the light and / or a lens (125) for collimating the light.

12. The dental handheld device (100) according to claim 11, wherein the reflector (123) and the lens (125) are formed by a one-piece optical element.