Inductively Powered LED Dental Wedge for Interproximal Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current dental wedges are inadequate for ensuring complete curing of dental composite resin in gingival and interproximal areas during tooth restoration, leading to potential distortion due to limited reach of traditional curing lights.
Innovation Solution
A dental device with a light-emitting diode integrated into the wedge, inductively powered, emitting light in the 400-500 nm range to facilitate curing of restorative materials in hard-to-reach areas, utilizing resonant inductive coupling for efficient power transfer and embedded within a transparent material for optimal light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a traditional curing light is used during tooth restoration, then the restoration procedure can be performed, but the curing light cannot reach gingival and interproximal areas, resulting in incomplete curing of composite resin
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the dental wedge and curing light into a single integrated device. The wedge body houses an LED curing light that emits light through the transparent wedge material, allowing simultaneous application of wedge pressure and curing of restorative material in interproximal and gingival areas that are inaccessible to traditional external curing lights.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent wedge material acts as an intermediary medium that transmits curing light from the LED source through the wedge body to the restorative material in hard-to-reach areas. This allows the curing light to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible, solving the problem of incomplete curing in interproximal and gingival regions.
2Strength
If the dental wedge is made opaque, then structural integrity is maintained, but light transmission to the restoration site is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameter of the wedge material from opaque to transparent while maintaining its mechanical properties. This allows the wedge to simultaneously provide structural support and transmit curing light from the integrated LED source to the restorative material, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and light transmission.
3Reliability
If a wired power connection is used for the LED, then power supply is reliable, but the device complexity and sterility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired power connection system with a wireless inductive power transfer system. This eliminates physical connections that would compromise sterility and increase device complexity, while maintaining reliable power supply to the LED through electromagnetic coupling between a base unit and the handheld wedge.
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
Ensures complete and efficient curing of dental restorative materials in challenging areas, reducing the risk of restoration distortion and improving the precision of dental procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The light emitting diode is inductively powered by a separate power supply. The power supply is part of a primary circuit also comprising at least a first capacitor and a primary induction coil. The light emitting diode is part of a secondary circuit further comprising at least a first capacitor and a secondary induction coil.
Implementation Method 2
The light emitting diode is selected to provide light output at a frequency of 400-500 nm
Implementation Method 3
The dental wedge is composed of a transparent or highly transparent material to facilitate and promote transmission of the light output from the light emitting diode to the restoration site on the tooth.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5~7
AI summary
A dental device and system comprising a dental wedge with a light emitting diode circuit containing a secondary winding inductively coupled to a power supply circuit containing primary winding. The power supply circuit wirelessly provides power to the light emitting diode circuit and light emitting diode is activated as voltage is applied across it with the light energy output being in a range preferable for curing dental composite materials used to restore a damaged tooth to its undamaged state.