Sequential Blue and UV LED Control for Dental Resin Curing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light irradiation devices for dental polymerization composite resins are inefficient in achieving complete polymerization and curing on a laboratory scale, leading to incomplete hardening and adverse material properties, with high energy consumption and prolonged curing times, which affects the quality and stability of dental products.
Innovation Solution
A method and light irradiation device using a combination of blue LEDs with an emission peak between 430-490 nm and UV or near-UV LEDs, where the power of both is programmed to be controlled over time, initially focusing blue light on deeper areas and subsequently using UV or near-UV light for faster surface curing, with software-modulated power control and air-cooling to optimize energy use and homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If halogen lamps are used for polymerization, then complete polymerization is achieved, but energy loss is high (90% of emitted energy is lost) and light output is reduced during normal use
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the spectral parameters of the light source from broad-spectrum halogen lamps to narrow-band LEDs with emission peaks at 460±20nm (blue) and 380±20nm (violet), matching the absorption characteristics of camphorquinone to eliminate 90% energy loss while ensuring complete polymerization
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements dynamic control by sequentially operating blue LEDs first, then violet LEDs, with programmable power modulation over time to optimize both energy efficiency and polymerization completeness at different stages
2Loss of energy
If blue LEDs with emission peak 430-490nm are used, then energy consumption is reduced, but penetration depth is shallow resulting in incomplete polymerization
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two LED types with different spectral characteristics - blue LEDs (430-490nm) for energy efficiency and violet LEDs (340-400nm) for deep penetration - operating them sequentially to achieve both low energy consumption and complete polymerization throughout the resin depth
3Reliability
If multiple LED types are used for complete polymerization, then polymerization completeness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a single controllable LED assembly that can dynamically switch between blue and violet modes through programmable power control, achieving the functionality of multiple light sources while maintaining a simple physical structure and avoiding the complexity of multiple separate LED devices
4Productivity
If curing time is reduced for productivity, then production speed is improved, but polymerization completeness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs periodic action by dividing the curing process into two distinct phases: first blue LED activation for initial polymerization, then violet LED activation for completing deep-layer curing, enabling fast overall curing time while ensuring complete polymerization through staged illumination
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 ensures rapid, complete, and homogeneous polymerization and curing of dental polymerization composite resins, improving the stability and mechanical properties of dental products while reducing energy consumption and process duration.
Implementation Method 1
Dental photopolymerization composite resins, or simply dental polymerization composite resins, are widely used in dentistry. To photopolymerize currently used dental polymerization composite resins, a combination of camphorquinone and a tertiary amine or acylphosphine oxide is most commonly used as a photopolymerization catalyst.
Implementation Method 2
These devices typically employ a large number of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with an emission peak in the range of 430 to 480 nm (so-called blue LEDs).
Implementation Method 3
software-modulated power control and air-cooling to optimize energy use and homogeneity
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for polymerizing and curing a dental polymerization composite resin (11) using a light irradiating device, said light irradiating device comprising at least one blue LED (1) with an emission peak at a wavelength between 430 nm and 490 nm and at least one ultraviolet or near-UV LED (2) with an emission peak between 350 nm and 420 nm. The at least one blue LED (1) is first operated without the at least one ultraviolet or near-UV LED (2), and the at least one ultraviolet or near-UV LED (2) is operated later. The output of the at least one blue LED (1) and the output of the at least one ultraviolet or near-UV LED (2) are controlled in a programmed manner based on time, and the light irradiated from the at least one blue LED (1) and the at least one ultraviolet or near-UV LED (2) of the light irradiating device is irradiated onto the dental polymerization composite resin (11), wherein the dental polymerization composite resin (11) is thereby polymerized and cured. The invention also relates to a light irradiating device for polymerizing and curing a dental polymerization composite resin (11), said device having at least one blue LED (1) with an emission peak at a wavelength between 430 nm and 490 nm, at least one ultraviolet or near-UV LED (2) with an emission peak between 350 nm and 420 nm, and a controller (6) for temporally controlling the output of the at least one blue LED (1) and of the at least one ultraviolet or near-UV LED (2) independently of each other. The controller (6) is designed to carry out such a method, in particular the controller is programmed to carry out such a method.