Dental Exposure Device Visible Light Penetration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coloring polychrome glasses and glass ceramics using UV radiation have limited penetration depth and require complex and large UV lasers or LEDs, making the process inefficient and technically demanding.
Innovation Solution
An exposure device with a radiation source emitting wavelengths greater than 350 nm at power densities above 10 W/cm², allowing for deeper penetration and efficient coloring of dental objects, using simpler and more efficient devices such as lasers, light-emitting diodes, or mercury vapor lamps, with adjustable intensity and timed exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV radiation is used for exposure, then coloring of glass-ceramic is achieved, but penetration depth is limited and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter from UV range to visible light range (400-700 nm), which fundamentally alters the penetration characteristics and allows use of simpler light sources while maintaining coloring effectiveness through multiphoton absorption processes
2Productivity
If UV lasers or UV LEDs are used for exposure, then exposure can be performed, but device dimensions become large and technical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the radiation wavelength from UV to visible range (400-700 nm), the patent enables use of compact light sources such as LEDs and lasers that are significantly smaller than UV sources, while maintaining exposure capability through the same photochromic effect
3Length of stationary object
If wavelength greater than 350 nm is used for illumination, then penetration depth increases, but power density requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pulsed illumination with high peak power densities (greater than 10 W/cm²) delivered in short intervals, which enables deep penetration through the glass-ceramic while allowing thermal management and maintaining material integrity between pulses
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 approach enables thorough activation of the dental object's volume with reduced exposure time and simpler device usage, achieving efficient and deeper penetration for coloring, particularly when using wavelengths above 350 nm, and allows for efficient illumination and thermal treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
These power densities can stimulate multiphoton processes within the dental object
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an exposure device (100) for illuminating a dental object (101), comprising a chamber (103) for receiving the dental object (101); and a radiation source (105) for illuminating the dental object (101) with a wavelength greater than 350 nm and with a power density greater than 10 W/cm2.