Rotating Dental Light Source for Spectral Blending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dental light curing devices suffer from spatial inhomogeneity in light output, both in irradiance and spectral range, leading to inconsistent and reduced quality of photocuring for resin-based composites, which affects the hardness and longevity of dental fillings.
Innovation Solution
A device with a light source assembly comprising multiple LEDs with differing wavelength emission ranges, which are synchronously rotated to spectrally blend the light output, ensuring better matching of light intensity and spectrum to the absorption ranges of photo-initiators within the resin-based composites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with varying emission spectrums are used to initiate polymerization for a larger array of RBCs, then the versatility of the device is improved, but the spatial inhomogeneity in light output increases, resulting in inhomogeneous photo-curing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotary mechanism that rotates the light source assembly during the curing process. This dynamic rotation allows different LED light sources with varying emission spectrums to sequentially illuminate different areas of the RBC, thereby distributing the light output more uniformly across the treatment area while maintaining the ability to cure multiple types of resin-based composites.
2Volume of moving object
If LEDs are geometrically arranged into the available space in the LCU, then the device size is reduced, but the spatial inhomogeneity in light output increases, resulting in inhomogeneous photo-curing
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary mechanism enables a compact arrangement of multiple LEDs in a limited space while achieving uniform light distribution through rotation. The LEDs are positioned in a confined geometry, and their rotational movement during operation ensures that each area of the RBC receives appropriate light exposure from different LEDs at different times, thereby maintaining spatial homogeneity despite the compact LED arrangement.
3Device complexity
If a single wavelength LED is used for curing, then the device complexity is reduced, but the curing effectiveness is reduced, resulting in reduced hardness and longevity of the resin-based composites
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple LED light sources with different emission spectrums into a single light curing unit. Each LED is designed to target specific photo-initiator compounds used in different types of resin-based composites. The rotary mechanism enables this multi-functional device to selectively activate the appropriate LEDs based on the RBC type being cured, thereby achieving comprehensive curing effectiveness across various composite materials while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
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 solution achieves improved spatial homogeneity of light output, resulting in enhanced Vickers hardness and degree of reactive group conversion across the polymer, thereby increasing the longevity and quality of dental fillings.
Implementation Method 1
The light source assembly consists of a plurality of LEDs with differing wavelength emission ranges and peaks
Implementation Method 2
Initiating the polymerization process of photo-polymerizable RBCs requires specific wavelengths and intensities of light in relation to the specific photo-initiator compounds within the RBC system
Implementation Method 3
the light source assembly and base plate synchronously rotate. With the light source assembly, this results in spectrally blending the differing emissions spectrums within the light source assembly
Data Source
AI summary
A device for improved photo-curing of an RBC by spectrally blending light for use in dental treatments such as fillings. The device comprises a base plate, a rotating mechanism, and a light source assembly, wherein the light source assembly consists of a plurality of LEDs. Further, in some embodiments, the plurality of LEDs comprising the light source assembly have differing wavelength emission ranges and peaks. In other embodiments, the invention has a light source module consisting of a plurality of LEDs with the same wavelength emissions peaks. The light source assembly or light source module is fixed to the base plate and the base plate is fixed to the rotating mechanism. The base plate and light source assembly or light source module synchronously rotate. With the light source assembly, this results in spectrally blending the differing emissions spectrums within the light source assembly and subsequently causing better photo-polymerization of the RBC. With the light source module, this results in blending of the irradiation which reduces spotlighting and causes more consistent photo-polymerization of the RBC.