Closed-Loop Dental Curing Light with Optical Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dental curing lights lack a feedback mechanism, leading to user variances that can result in inconsistent and potentially unsafe light exposure, with higher power levels increasing the risk of overexposure and thermal tissue damage.
Innovation Solution
A closed-loop LED curing wand with a light sensor and optical feedback path that adjusts the light energy output based on the actual energy hitting the tooth surface, ensuring precise delivery of light energy and preventing overexposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional LED curing lights deliver high power levels (3,200-8,000 mW/cm2) to reduce curing time, then productivity is improved, but the risk of overexposure and thermal tissue damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an optical feedback mechanism using a light sensor that detects the actual light energy reaching the tooth surface. The sensor signal is fed back to a controller that dynamically adjusts the LED power output in real-time, ensuring the delivered energy remains within safe thresholds while maintaining high productivity when conditions permit.
2Device complexity
If conventional curing lights lack feedback mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision of light energy delivery deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
An optical feedback loop is integrated into the curing light system, where a light sensor detects the actual energy reaching the target surface and feeds this information back to a controller. The controller dynamically adjusts LED power output to compensate for variations, ensuring consistent and precise light energy delivery while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Reliability
If optical feedback path is added to the curing light, then reliability of energy delivery is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical feedback path is integrated into the existing curing light structure by merging the light sensor and control circuitry with the LED assembly. The sensor is positioned to detect light from the same optical path, and the controller consolidates power management functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable feedback-based energy delivery control.
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
This solution enables enhanced safety and quality of light cure exposure by precisely managing the quantity of delivered energy, reducing the risk of overexposure and thermal tissue damage while maintaining high power levels.
Implementation Method 1
the optical feedback path is disposed to channel light reflected back from the target to the light sensor
Implementation Method 2
a light sensor for sensing a light energy characteristic
Data Source
AI summary
An optical sensor for an instrument to form a closed-loop curing instrument that is configured to manage the quantity of delivered energy to a curable material, including a composite restoration for a tooth. The closed-loop curing instrument is configured to analyze a signal indicative of the light reflecting from the curable material, and to adjust light output based on the analysis.