3D Curing Light with Multi-Faceted LED Head for Dental Composites

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dental curing lights are limited to illuminating only one side of a tooth at a time, wasting valuable dentist chair time and resulting in less durable dental restorations due to incomplete curing.

Innovation Solution

A 3-dimensional curing light that emits light from three sides, utilizing a 3-faceted light head with LED sources oriented at 90 degrees to each other, allowing simultaneous curing from multiple angles and enhanced penetration for deeper curing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional curing lights emit light from one side only, then the device structure is simple, but the curing time increases and restoration durability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecuring speedVSAvoidlight head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light head is segmented into three separate facets (first, second, and third facets) that can be independently controlled. Each facet contains its own light-emitting diode array that can be activated separately, allowing selective curing from different directions while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from one-dimensional (single-side) light emission to three-dimensional multi-directional light emission. The three facets are positioned at different angles around the tooth, enabling light to reach the composite material from multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously, dramatically improving curing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If conventional curing lights illuminate one side at a time, then the light source configuration is simple, but the chair time is wasted and curing completeness is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechair timeVSAvoidfacet configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light-emitting diode arrays are merged into a single integrated light head assembly with three facets. These facets work simultaneously or sequentially under unified control, combining the functionality of multiple curing lights into one device without requiring multiple separate units or complex positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light head is designed with multi-functional capability to cure composites from multiple directions ( buccal, lingual, occlusal surfaces) using the same device. The controller can selectively activate different facet combinations based on the specific clinical situation, providing universal applicability for various tooth positions and restoration types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If light is applied from multiple angles simultaneously, then the curing completeness and restoration strength improve, but the light head structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverestoration durabilityVSAvoidmulti-facet structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each facet is equipped with its own independent LED array and control capability, allowing local customization of light emission based on the specific anatomical requirements. The controller can selectively activate only the necessary facets for each clinical situation, optimizing light delivery while avoiding unnecessary structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The light emission from each facet is dynamically controllable through the controller, which can activate facets individually, in pairs, or all together based on real-time clinical needs. This dynamic control allows the system to adapt to different tooth positions, restoration depths, and anatomical variations without requiring physical reconfiguration of the light head structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient curing of dental composites from multiple angles, resulting in stronger and more durable restorations by reducing curing time and improving the properties of the cured material.

Implementation Method 1

Each facet contains an LED light source 204

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

light for polymerizing monomers into polymers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotopolymerisation: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 3

The LED light source is attached to a heat sink 205 using a fixture 206 with screw 207. There is heat conduction paste 208 located between LED 204 and heat sink 205 to facilitate heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)