Dental Light Irradiation Device with Mode Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dental light irradiation devices with integrated cameras face challenges in providing user-friendly operation for both curing and visualization functions, particularly in environments without a display, and existing devices often require complex user inputs or restrict functionality based on mode selection.
Innovation Solution
A dental light irradiation device with a first light source for emitting blue light, a camera, and detectors that allow operation in both camera and non-camera modes, enabling optional camera activation via user input, and featuring a sleep mode that activates non-camera mode upon inactivity, with customizable cure operations and image capture instructions for real-time or frozen image transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a camera is integrated into the dental light irradiation device, then visualization function is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device integrates multiple functions (curing and visualization) into a single dental light irradiation device, allowing the same device to serve both as a light source for hardening dental materials and as an imaging device for capturing intraoral images, thereby improving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If camera mode is always activated, then visualization is always available, but battery power is consumed continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The device dynamically switches between camera mode and non-camera mode based on user input and operational context, allowing the camera to be activated only when needed for visualization while remaining deactivated during curing operations to conserve battery power
Solution Approach 2:
The camera function is activated periodically or on-demand rather than continuously, with the ability to switch between modes based on operational requirements, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining visualization capability when needed
3Loss of energy
If camera mode is restricted to specific conditions, then battery is conserved, but user flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The operational modes are dynamically adjustable based on user input, allowing the device to adapt between camera mode and non-camera mode freely without rigid restrictions, providing both battery conservation and user flexibility through on-demand mode switching
4Adaptability or versatility
If user input is required for mode switching, then camera activation is controlled, but operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device automatically determines when to activate camera mode based on detected operational context, reducing the need for explicit user input while maintaining controlled camera activation through intelligent detection of curing versus visualization scenarios
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
The device maximizes user comfort by allowing flexible operation in both modes without display restrictions, enabling efficient curing and visualization while minimizing user input complexity and conserving battery power by activating camera functions only when needed.
Implementation Method 1
The light typically activates photoinitiators in the dental material that cause the matrix material to polymerize
Implementation Method 2
a camera and at least a first detector
Data Source
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AI summary
A dental light irradiation device has a first light source for emitting blue light, a camera and at least a first detector. The device is operable in a camera mode in which the camera is activated and in a non-camera mode in which the camera is deactivated. In the non-camera mode a user input on the first detector activates the camera mode. The dental light irradiation device helps facilitating the proper curing of a dental material in a patient's mouth.