Device for heating dental materials

Abstract

A heating device for heating dental material. The heating device has a body and a socket. The socket is removably received within the body and has a socket wall forming a receptacle for placing a container for the dental material therein. The body has a light source for emitting light toward the socket wall in a direction toward the receptacle. The socket wall is at least partially transparent to infrared light. The heating device allows for heating of the dental material in the container.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a heating device for heating dental materials, and particularly to a heating device in which a wall that partially transmits infrared rays is disposed between an infrared light source and a container containing the dental material. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Dental materials, particularly dental composite materials for filling cavities in a patient's mouth, are often provided in packages that allow storing a certain amount of the dental material and also allow directly providing the dental material from the package to a desired location. Dental materials are typically configured to exhibit properties that allow for proper handling in many situations, but for certain purposes, it is common to warm the dental material in order to adjust handling and / or performance according to those situations. 【0003】 There are heating devices that use heating elements based on electrical resistors to simply warm the package to enable heating of the package. Further, there is a technique for heating the package using infrared light while the package is disposed within a dispensing gun. 【0004】 For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0142700 (A1) discloses applying photon energy and energizing dental materials to enhance, among other attributes, their physical handling properties, effectiveness, delivery ability, reactivity, polymerization, and / or mechanical properties after curing. 【0005】 Existing approaches provide certain advantages, but there is still a need for a heating device that can be used conveniently and is highly energy-efficient. 【Summary of the Invention】 【0006】 The present invention relates to a heating device for heating dental materials. The heating device is preferably, specifically, a tabletop heating device. Specifically, the tabletop heating device is configured to stand on a table (or other surface) while the dental material heated by the heating device is dispensed into the patient's mouth. 【0007】 The heating device comprises a body and a socket. The socket is removably received within the body and is preferably held inside the body. The socket has a socket wall (preferably a circumferential socket wall) that forms a receiving portion for arranging a container for dental materials inside. Specifically, the socket wall preferably forms a receiving portion for receiving a container while the container is held within the dispensing gun. The dispensing gun is preferably separated from the heating device and is freely movable relative to the heating device while the heating device is standing on its surface. The body comprises a light source for emitting light toward the socket wall in the direction toward the receiving portion. The body preferably has a housing, and the light source is located within the housing. The socket can preferably be positioned to protrude into the housing. Furthermore, the socket wall is at least partially transparent to infrared light. 【0008】 For the purposes of this specification, infrared light is defined as light exhibiting wavelengths within the range of 800 nm to 1500 nm. Specifically, infrared light for the purposes of this specification may be light exhibiting a wavelength of approximately 940 nm or 940 nm. 【0009】 The present invention is advantageous in that it provides a heating device that enables the holding of a dispensing gun having a container containing dental material. Therefore, the present invention makes it possible to place the dispensing gun within the heating device and keep it ready for use. Thus, the dentist can grasp the dispensing gun whenever needed. Furthermore, the present invention is advantageous in that it provides a heating device that can be operated independently of any dispensing of material. Specifically, any components used to generate thermal energy (e.g., heating element or LED) are not part of the dispensing gun. Therefore, the dispensing gun does not contain any components that could potentially be harmful due to high temperatures when the dispensing gun is used in the patient's mouth. The heating device is also energy efficient because it can be activated on demand whenever needed. Furthermore, the LED typically exhibits a minimized heat capacity so that the LED cools down almost immediately after being stopped. 【0010】 Generally, the socket wall preferably has non-uniform transmittance to infrared light. Specifically, the socket wall preferably is partially transmitt to infrared light in that it includes an infrared-transmitting portion and an infrared-blocking portion. 【0011】 Preferably, the infrared-transmitting portion exhibits a transmittance of at least 80% to infrared light. Furthermore, preferably, the infrared-blocking portion exhibits a transmittance of less than 10% to infrared light. 【0012】 In one embodiment, a receiving portion is formed by a socket wall that forms a through passage extending through the socket along a longitudinal insertion axis. The insertion axis refers to the axis along which a container can be inserted into the receiving portion. 【0013】 In one embodiment, the socket wall includes a reflective layer for reflecting light toward the receiving portion, and preferably for reflecting thermal radiation. The reflective layer may be reflective to light in at least the infrared wavelength range (or wavelengths of about 940 nm or 940 nm), but typically it may be reflective to light in a broader wavelength range, such as the entire visible light spectrum. Thus, the reflective layer may be or include a mirror. The reflective layer preferably defines the receiving portion. For example, the reflective layer may be positioned directly adjacent to the through-hole. The reflective layer may be formed of several sublayers that exhibit light-reflecting properties in combination. For example, multiple transparent plastic films having different refractive indices and laminated together may provide a metal-free reflective layer. The reflective layer may further be formed of a metal layer, such as an aluminum or silver coating. 【0014】 In one embodiment, the reflective layer includes an infrared-transmitting portion and an infrared-blocking portion. Therefore, the reflective layer may provide a socket wall with the infrared-blocking portion, or it may have an opening to provide the infrared-transmitting portion. 【0015】 In one embodiment, the socket wall includes an infrared-transmitting layer covering the infrared-transmitting and infrared-blocking portions of the reflective layer. For example, the socket wall may be formed by a seamless sleeve made of an infrared-transmitting material, the sleeve may include (e.g., be coated with) a reflective layer on its interior. The reflective layer may have openings, leaving a portion of the socket wall uncovered. The portion covered by the reflective layer corresponds to the infrared-blocking portion, while the portion not covered by the reflective layer corresponds to the infrared-transmitting portion. 【0016】 In a further embodiment, the socket wall is formed by a sleeve made of an infrared-transparent material, the sleeve having through holes. The sleeve may also include a reflective layer on the inside (e.g., coated) as described above. In the process of coating the sleeve with the reflective layer (e.g., sputtering), the through holes form openings in the reflective layer, and the through holes are not covered by the reflective layer. The portion covered by the reflective layer corresponds to the infrared-blocking portion, while the openings correspond to the infrared-transmitting portion. 【0017】 Therefore, the socket wall may be formed with an infrared-transmitting portion and have an infrared-blocking portion. 【0018】 In one embodiment, the infrared-transmitting portion exhibits a transmittance of at least 80% to infrared light. This can be achieved, for example, by a socket wall made of PMMA or PC (Makrolon 2405 450 601, available from BASF (Germany)) having a thickness of about 1 mm to about 2.5 mm. In this regard, thickness is understood as the dimension of the socket wall along which infrared light travels through the socket wall. Furthermore, the infrared-blocking portion preferably exhibits a transmittance of less than 10% to infrared light. This can be achieved, for example, by a silver coating or an aluminum coating. The silver and aluminum coatings may have a thickness in the range of 10 to 20 nm. The infrared-blocking and infrared-transmitting portions combined in a single socket wall or sleeve can further be obtained by two-shot injection molding of an infrared-blocking plastic material and an infrared-transmitting plastic material. For example, in the first shot, the sleeve may be molded from the infrared-blocking plastic material. The sleeve may have through holes formed in the second shot, filled with the infrared-transmitting plastic material. In such embodiments, the reflective layer is optional. 【0019】 In one embodiment, the light source includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Preferably, each LED is configured to emit infrared light, in particular light with a peak wavelength of about 940 nm or 940 nm. The light power of the infrared light is preferably about 14 W. 【0020】 In one embodiment, the LEDs are arranged on a circumference around the insertion axis. The LEDs are preferably oriented to emit light toward the insertion axis. The insertion axis may be the axis of symmetry of at least a portion of the receiving portion. Thus, a container positioned on the insertion axis can be exposed to infrared light from a light source. 【0021】 In a preferred embodiment, the LED is positioned outside the socket (and thus outside the through-passage). Thus, the light source is protected from contact with the container. This prevents the light source from being contaminated by any undesirable substances that may adhere to the container (e.g., residual dental material, bacteria, and / or dirt). Preferably, the light source is fixed within the body, and the socket is removablely configurable within the body and therefore removablely configurable relative to the light source. 【0022】 In one embodiment, each LED is positioned to emit light through one of the infrared-transmitting portions. Therefore, each LED is preferably positioned next to an infrared-transmitting portion. 【0023】 The infrared-transmitting portion and the LEDs are preferably arranged in particular at separate heights or positions along the insertion axis. Some of the LEDs may be arranged radially around the insertion axis and on a common plane at a first height at a first axial position. Some of the LEDs may be arranged radially around the insertion axis and on a common plane at a second height at a second axial position. Some of the LEDs may also be arranged radially around the insertion axis and on a common plane at a third height at a third axial position. The first, second, and third axial positions (and the three corresponding planes) are axially offset from each other along the insertion axis. In one embodiment, the LEDs are arranged as follows: One LED at the first height, Four LEDs at the second height, and Two LEDs at the third height. 【0024】 In one embodiment, the heating device comprises a heat sink. The heat sink is preferably thermally coupled to each of the LEDs. Preferably, each LED is mounted on an electrical circuit board. According to the present invention, the heating device comprises four circuit boards, each of which is fixed (specifically, screwed) to the heat sink. A temperature sensor may be provided on the heat sink. The heating device may further comprise a control circuit configured to receive a signal from the temperature sensor. 【0025】 In one embodiment, the heating device has a button for activating the heating operation. The heating device may have a timer function that automatically stops the heating operation after a predetermined time. A preferred predetermined time may be in the range of 8 to 20 seconds. Furthermore, the heating operation can be interrupted by pressing the button while it is in operation. The button may include an indicator light. The indicator light may be lit while the heating operation is in progress and turned off otherwise. Thus, the user of the heating device can recognize whether the heating operation of the heating device is in progress or stopped. 【0026】 When the control circuit preferably further receives a signal indicating a temperature exceeding a predetermined value from the temperature sensor, it interrupts the heating operation. For example, the control circuit may be configured to interrupt the heating operation when the temperature sensor detects a heat sink temperature exceeding 65°C. 【0027】 In one embodiment, the heating device includes a rechargeable battery (preferably a lithium-ion battery) for supplying power to the light source. Thus, the heating device can operate wirelessly. The heating device may further include a metal wire charging coil or helix for wirelessly charging the battery. Further, the device may be connectable to an external power source to recharge the battery. 【0028】 In one embodiment, the metal wire charging coil is flat, and the heating device further includes a charging pad having a second charging coil, on which the main body of the heating device can be placed for inductive charging of the battery. The charging pad can be connected to an external power source. Preferably, the thickness (or height) of the first and / or second charging coil is less than 5 mm, more preferably less than 4 mm, and even more preferably less than 3 mm. A thickness of 2 mm has been found to be particularly advantageous. 【0029】 Preferably, the thickness (or height) of the charging pad is less than 20 mm, more preferably less than 15 mm, and even more preferably less than 10 mm. Preferably, the diameter of the first and / or second coil is at least 20 mm, more preferably at least 60 mm, and even more preferably at least 80 mm. Preferably, the second charging coil is larger in diameter and / or thickness than the first charging coil. 【0030】 The first and / or second charging coil is preferably made of a high-frequency litz wire, for example, a RUPALIT (registered trademark) high-frequency litz wire composed of RUPOL (registered trademark), RUPEX (registered trademark), or RUTHERM (registered trademark) enameled copper wire. 【0031】 The first and / or second charging coils are preferably fitted onto a ferrite core having a minimum thickness of 0.8 mm and preferably a maximum thickness of 5 mm. A thickness of 2 mm has been found to be particularly advantageous. 【0032】 In one embodiment, the heating device comprises a docking station to which the body of the heating device can be docked. The docking station can provide an electrical connection between the docking station and the battery for charging the battery. In some embodiments, the docking station may have a charging coil, which provides an electrical connection between the docking station and the battery for wireless charging the battery. The docking station can be connected to an external power source. In some embodiments, the body may have electrical contacts, which are complementary to the electrical contacts of the docking station, preferably positioned toward the bottom of the body, and providing contact with the electrical contacts of the docking station. The body can be docked to the docking station such that the electrical contacts of the docking station contact the electrical contacts of the body to charge the battery. The body can be detached from the docking station and moved to another location while the docking station remains in place. 【0033】 The present invention further relates to a system comprising a heating device and a capsule containing dental material. The capsule preferably comprises a body forming a chamber for the dental material and a dispensing nozzle connected to the chamber for dispensing the dental material. The capsule may further comprise a piston positioned within the chamber to propel the dental material toward the dispensing nozzle. The system may further comprise a dispensing gun for holding the capsule internally and advancing the capsule's piston. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0034】 [Figure 1]This is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 1A] Figure 1 is a rear view of the device shown. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a detailed view of Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view of a heating device socket according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a side cross-sectional view of a system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a top cross-sectional view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0035】 Figure 1 shows a heating device 1 according to the present invention. Specifically, the heating device 1 is a tabletop heating device, i.e., a device configured to stand on a table while the device is in use. The heating device 1 is further configured to heat dental materials such as dental composite filling materials. Such dental composite filling materials typically contain a fluid matrix material with fillers and additives. The matrix material is typically fluid so that it can be used, for example, to fill cavities in teeth to be restored. The matrix material is also typically curable, and in particular photocurable by exposure to visible blue light. Thus, the dental composite material can be molded into tooth cavities and cured once placed in place. Typical dental composite materials are methacrylate-based. 【0036】 Heating can reduce the viscosity of dental materials, making them easier to mold. Furthermore, dental materials are typically supplied in a container from which they will be extruded. Heated dental materials, due to their reduced viscosity, can also typically be extruded more easily (i.e., with lower extrusion force) than the same material at room temperature. Heating device 1 is configured in particular to heat the container, so that such a heated container heats the dental material contained within it. 【0037】 The heating device 1 generally comprises a main body 3 and a receiving portion 2. The receiving portion 2 is molded and sized to at least partially receive the mouthpiece 101 of the dental applicator 100 inside. Thus, a container (not visible in this figure) held inside the dental applicator 100 (specifically, inside the mouthpiece 101) can be placed inside the receiving portion 2. 【0038】 The receiving portion 2 is formed by the socket 4 of the heating device 1. The socket 4 is removably received within the body 3 of the heating device 1. Therefore, the socket 4 can be removed from the body 3 for cleaning and / or replacement. 【0039】 The heating device 1 further includes a button 5 for activating the heating operation of the heating device 1. The heating operation causes the heating device 1 to supply thermal energy into the receiving portion 2 (so that the dental material is heated when it is placed in the receiving portion 2). The heating operation causes the heating device 1 to supply thermal energy into the receiving portion 2 for a predetermined period of time, after which the heating device 1 automatically stops the heating operation. If the heating operation is not activated, the heating device 1 does not supply any thermal energy into the receiving portion 2. Thus, the heating device 1 of the present invention heats only on demand for a predetermined period of time, and thus helps to minimize energy consumption. In this example, the heating device 1 has an indicator light 6 that shows when the heating operation is active. Furthermore, in this example, the heating device 1 is battery-powered and has means for charging the battery. In this example, the heating device 1 has a power connector 7 for connecting a power source for supplying power to a charging electronic device. 【0040】 The heating device 1 may further have a wireless charging interface 14 for coupling with a wireless charger. As shown in Figure 2, the charging interface 14 may include a charging pad 16 on which a main body 3 containing a rechargeable battery 18 is placed to charge the rechargeable battery 18. The main body 3 houses a flat charging coil 20, which is positioned toward the end of the main body 3 and is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 18. The charging pad 16 also includes a second charging coil 17, which can inductively communicate with the flat charging coil 20 housed in the main body 3. The charging pad 16 is connected to an external power source via a charging plug such as a USB-C plug (not shown in Figure 2). 【0041】 Although the flat charging coils 17 and 20 are shown as having a spiral shape in Figure 2, they may alternatively have a helical shape with several windings of a constant radius, as is common for charging coils. 【0042】 To charge the battery 18, the main body 3 of the heating device 1 is placed on the charging pad 16. The battery 18 is then charged by induction between the flat charging coil 20 housed in the main body 3 and the second charging coil 17 on the charging pad 16. 【0043】 Next, while the charging pad 16 remains in place, the user can detach the main unit 3 from the charging pad 16 and move it to another location. This allows for flexible repositioning of the main unit 3 without being cumbered by the power cord extending from the back. Improved mobility allows the heating device 1 to be conveniently moved to various different locations within the healthcare environment, especially closer to the patient. 【0044】 Furthermore, since the user of device 1 does not need to plug the dental applicator 100 or the main unit 3 to the charger (in this case, the charging pad 16), the risk of failure of the heating device 1 due to plug damage or plug breakage is reduced. This makes it easier to clean and / or disinfect device 1. 【0045】 Alternatively, the charging interface 14 may include a docking station 19, as shown in Figure 3. The docking station 19 may include electrical contacts 21 which can contact corresponding electrical contacts on the main unit 3 (not shown in Figure 3), providing charging from the docking station to the rechargeable battery 18 in the main unit 3. Thus, even if an optional charging coil (not shown) is also provided to make the docking station more versatile, wireless charging is not required in the embodiment shown in Figure 3. 【0046】 The main unit 3 can be docked to the docking station 19 such that the electrical contacts 21 of the docking station 19 make contact with the corresponding electrical contacts on the main unit 3 to charge the battery 18. 【0047】 Alternatively, in another embodiment, the docking station 19 does not need to have physical electrical contacts, but rather simply provides a physical structure to facilitate proper positioning of the main unit 3 on the charging pad 16 for inductive charging, such as a structure extending vertically upward from the periphery of the docking station 19's placement surface, configured as a collar extending around the periphery of the docking station 19. 【0048】 Therefore, the main unit 3 can be detached from the docking station 19 and moved to another location while the docking station 19 remains in place. 【0049】 The elements housed within the main body 3 are not visible in Figure 3. However, the configuration of the elements housed within the main body 3 can be the same as or identical to that shown in Figure 2. However, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the flat charging coil 20 can be omitted compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 2. 【0050】 The charging interface 14, which includes the docking station 19, can also provide a robust and reliable charging method and can prevent failure of the heating device 1 due to plug breakage or damage to the plug. 【0051】 The battery 18 can also be charged directly via a plug, such as a USB-C plug, connected to device 1, without using the (wireless) charging interface 14. 【0052】 Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the heating device 1. The heating device 1 is shown with the dental applicator 100 and its mouthpiece 101 positioned within the socket 4. 【0053】 As shown in detail in Figure 5, a container (in this example, a dental capsule 200) is held within the mouthpiece 101 of a dental applicator 100 and positioned within a socket 4. The socket 4 forms a receiving section 2. In this example, the receiving section 2 is formed by a through-passage 9 that extends completely through the socket 4. Thus, any cleaning agent and / or disinfectant used to clean the heating device 1 and reaching the receiving section 2 can flow through the socket 4 and leak out through the outlet 10 of the through-passage 9. The receiving section 2 specifically extends along a longitudinal insertion axis A. The insertion axis A further defines the dimensions along which the dispensing gun 100 can be inserted into the heating device 1. 【0054】 The socket 4 is further molded and sized such that the shape and size of the receiving portion 2 generally correspond to the negative shape of at least a portion of the mouthpiece 101 that holds the capsule 200 inside. Thus, the dispensing gun 100 is guided by the receiving portion 2 during insertion into the receiving portion and is held firmly in place once inserted. Furthermore, the mouthpiece 101 of the dispenser 100 typically has a trough-shaped front portion 102 protruding from a hollow cylindrical shaft 103. The trough-shaped front portion 102 allows the capsule 200 to be inserted into or removed from the dispensing gun 100 in a radial direction in the dispensing direction D (see Figure 4), which in this example is aligned with the insertion axis A (Figure 5). 【0055】 The body 3 of the heating device 1 houses a light source for emitting infrared light in the direction toward the receiving portion 2 from the outside of the socket 4. Specifically, the light source is formed by a plurality of infrared light-emitting diodes (LEDs) 8 arranged at several heights L1, L2, and L3 around the insertion axis A. Each height L1, L2, and L3 may have up to four LEDs, which are uniformly distributed on a plane perpendicular to the insertion axis A, specifically offset by 90 degrees relative to each other (see Figure 8), and oriented to emit infrared light radially toward the insertion axis. In this example, only seven LEDs are used: one LED 8 at height L1, four LED 8 at height L2, and two LED 8 at height L3. This arrangement of LEDs 8 provides more heat to the central portion of the capsule 200 than to the edges. 【0056】 Each of the LEDs 8 is mounted on a circuit board 15. In this example, the LEDs 8 are electrically connected to one of the circuit boards 15. Furthermore, each circuit board 15 is mounted on a heatsink 14. Thus, the LEDs 8 are thermally coupled to the heatsink 14 (either via the circuit board or directly). Therefore, the heat generated by the LEDs is dissipated by the heatsink 14. 【0057】 Socket 4 has a socket wall 11 with through-holes 12 in front of each LED 8. The through-holes 12 are positioned so that light emitted from each LED 8 can pass through the socket wall 11. Specifically, the through-holes preferably extend perpendicular or laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis A. Therefore, the socket wall 11 may be formed of an infrared-blocking material and may be partially infrared-transmitting due to the through-holes 12. 【0058】 As shown in more detail in Figure 6, the socket wall 11 has a reflective layer 13. In this example, the reflective layer 13 is located on the socket wall 11 adjacent to the through-passage 9. In this example, the reflective layer 13 is provided by a metal (specifically, aluminum) coating, but may be provided by other means. The reflective layer 13 provides light (specifically, infrared light) coming from the through-passage 9, which collides with the reflective layer 13, is reflected, and returns to the through-passage 9. Thus, once the infrared light reaches the through-passage, it is substantially trapped within the through-passage 9. This helps to maximize the heating efficiency of the heating device 1. 【0059】 Figure 7 shows a system in which a container (in this example, a dental capsule 200) is held within the mouthpiece 101 of a dental applicator 100 and positioned within a socket 4. The heating device 1 is identical to the example shown in Figure 5, except that the socket 4 has a slightly different configuration. 【0060】 The socket 4 also forms the receiving portion 2 in the form of a through passage 9 that extends completely through the socket 4. The through passage 9 forms the outlet 10. The receiving portion 2 extends along the longitudinal insertion axis A. 【0061】 The socket 4 is further molded and sized such that the shape and size of the receiving portion 2 roughly correspond to at least a portion of the negative shape of the mouthpiece 101 that holds the capsule 200 inside. In this example, the socket 4 has a seamless socket wall 11. Instead of through holes, the socket wall 11 has an infrared-transmitting region 12 in front of each LED 8. Each infrared-transmitting region 12 is provided by a window (invisible) in the reflective layer 13. The infrared-transmitting regions 12 are positioned so that light emitted from each of the LEDs 8 can pass through the infrared-transmitting region 12 and through the socket wall 11. The socket wall 11 is formed of an infrared-transmitting material and is partially infrared-blocking in the area outside the window. 【0062】 While the system of the present invention is shown using capsules as containers, it should be noted that in another example, the container may be a screw-top tube. In addition to the embodiments described above, the following embodiments are also noted. (Note 1) A heating device for heating dental materials, comprising a body and a socket, wherein the socket is removably received within the body and comprises a socket wall, the socket wall forming a receiving portion for arranging a container for the dental material inside, the body comprising a light source for emitting light toward the socket wall in the direction toward the receiving portion, the socket wall being at least partially transparent to infrared light, the infrared light being defined as light exhibiting wavelengths in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1500 nm. (Note 2) The heating device according to Appendix 1, wherein the socket wall forms a through passage extending through the socket along the longitudinal insertion axis, and the receiving portion is formed thereon. (Note 3) The heating device according to Appendix 2, wherein the socket wall includes a reflective layer for reflecting light and heat radiation in the direction toward the receiving portion. (Note 4) The heating device according to Appendix 3, wherein the reflective layer defines the receiving portion. (Note 5) The heating device according to Appendix 3 or 4, wherein the reflective layer includes an infrared-transmitting portion and an infrared-blocking portion. (Note 6) The heating device according to Appendix 5, wherein the infrared-transmitting portion exhibits a transmittance of at least 80% to infrared light, and the infrared-blocking portion exhibits a transmittance of less than 10% to infrared light. (Note 7) The heating device according to appendix 5 or 6, wherein the socket wall further includes an infrared-transmitting layer covering the infrared-transmitting portion and the infrared-blocking portion. (Note 8) The heating device according to any one of the appendices 5 to 7, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit light at a peak wavelength of, for example, 940 nm, so as to emit light in the wavelength range of 780 nm to 1400 nm. (Note 9) The heating device according to Appendix 8, wherein the LEDs are arranged on a circumference around the insertion axis and are directed to emit light toward the insertion axis. (Note 10) The heating device according to appendix 8 or 9, wherein the LED is located outside the socket. (Note 11) The heating device according to any one of the appendices 8 to 10, wherein each of the LEDs is arranged to emit light through one of the infrared-transmitting portions. (Note 12) A heating device according to any one of the appendices 1 to 11, comprising a rechargeable battery for supplying power to the light source. (Note 13) The heating device according to Appendix 12, further comprising a charging coil for wirelessly charging the aforementioned battery. (Note 14) The heating device according to Appendix 13, further comprising a charging pad having a second charging coil, on which the body of the heating device can be placed for inductive charging of the battery. (Note 15) The heating device according to Appendix 12 or 13, further comprising a docking station to which the main body of the heating device can be docked, wherein the docking station provides an electrical connection between the docking station and the battery for charging the battery. (Note 16) A system comprising a heating device as described in any one of Appendix 1 to 15, and a capsule containing the dental material, wherein the capsule comprises a body forming a chamber for the dental material, a dispensing nozzle connected to the chamber for dispensing the dental material, and a piston disposed within the chamber for biasing the dental material toward the dispensing nozzle. (Note 17) The system according to Appendix 16, further comprising a dispensing gun for holding the capsule inside and advancing the piston of the capsule.

Claims

[Claim 1] A heating device for heating dental material, comprising a body and a socket, wherein the socket is removably received within the body and comprises a socket wall, the socket wall forming a receiving portion for arranging a container for the dental material inside, the body comprising a light source for emitting light toward the socket wall in the direction toward the receiving portion, the light source comprising a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit infrared light, the socket wall being at least partially transparent to infrared light, the infrared light being defined as light exhibiting wavelengths in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1500 nm, A heating device in which the socket wall forms a through passage extending through the socket along the longitudinal insertion axis, thereby forming the receiving portion. [Claim 2] The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the socket wall includes a reflective layer for reflecting light and heat radiation in the direction toward the receiving portion. [Claim 3] The heating device according to claim 1, wherein the LED is configured to emit light in the wavelength range of 780 nm to 1400 nm. [Claim 4] The heating device according to claim 3, wherein the LEDs are arranged on a circumference around a longitudinal insertion axis and are directed to emit light toward the longitudinal insertion axis. [Claim 5] A system comprising a heating device for heating dental material, comprising a main body and a socket, and a capsule containing the dental material, The socket is removably received within the body and comprises a socket wall, the socket wall forming a receiving portion for arranging a container for the dental material inside, the body comprises a light source for emitting light toward the socket wall in the direction toward the receiving portion, the light source having a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to emit infrared light, the socket wall is at least partially transparent to infrared light, and the infrared light is defined as light exhibiting wavelengths in the wavelength range of 800 nm to 1500 nm. A system comprising: a capsule having a body forming a chamber for the dental material; a dispensing nozzle connected to the chamber for dispensing the dental material; and a piston positioned within the chamber for biasing the dental material toward the dispensing nozzle.

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