Fiberoptic dental bleaching device and method of making bleaching device
OwnerJohn R. Plocharczykinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A dental bleaching device is provided which is adapted to be used with a light source. The light source may be an existing dental light curing system, thereby permitting the existing light curing system to be used as dental bleaching system. The dental bleaching device comprises a glass core material and a cladding material having a lower refractive index than the core material, and a connector to connect the dental bleaching device to a light source. Methods of manufacturing the dental bleaching device are also provided.
Claims18
A dental bleaching device for use with a light source having a first connector for connecting the dental bleaching device to the light source, comprising:
- a light guide including a glass core and a cladding covering the outer surface of the glass core and having a lower refractive index than the glass core, wherein the light guide has a generally cylindrical input end having an input face for receiving light from a light source, and a tapered portion, wherein the width of the tapered portion increases with distance from the input end and the tapered portion terminates in an output end having an output face for transmitting light to an area to be illuminated;
- and
- a second connector coupled to the input end of the light guide and connectable to the first connector for transmitting the light from the light source through the glass core of the bleaching device.
A dental bleaching device for use with a light source having a first connector for connecting the dental bleaching device to the light source, comprising:
- a light guide including a plurality of fiber optic elements, wherein each of the plurality of fiber optic elements comprises a glass core and a cladding material covering the outer surface of the glass core and having a lower refractive index than the glass core, a generally cylindrical input end having an input face for receiving light from a light source, and a tapered portion, wherein the width of the tapered portion increases with distance from the input end and the tapered portion terminates in an output end having an output face for transmitting light to an area to be illuminated;
- and
- a second connector coupled to the input end of the light guide and connectable to the first connector for transmitting the light from the light source through the glass core of the bleaching device.
A dental bleaching device for use with a light source, comprising:
- means for connecting the dental bleaching device to the light source;
- and
- means for transmitting light from the light source to an area to be illuminated.
A method for manufacturing a dental bleaching device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a glass core material and a cladding material having a lower refractive index than the core material;
- (b) covering the outer surface of the glass core material with the cladding material;
- (c) heating the glass core material and the cladding material while applying force to create a billet wherein the glass core material and the cladding material are bonded;
- (d) heating and drawing the billet to create a tapered reduction in the diameter of the billet in the center portion of the billet to form an hourglass-like shape;
- (e) cutting the billet in the center portion of the billet to create at least one tapered frustoconical portion;
- (f) shaping the frustoconical portion to form a dental bleaching device having the desired shape;
- (g) polishing the ends of the dental bleaching device;
- and
- (h) fixing to one end of the dental bleaching device a connector adapted to be received by a light source.
A method for manufacturing a dental bleaching device, comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a plurality of glass fibers, wherein each of the plurality of glass fibers comprise a glass core and a cladding having a lower refractive index than the glass core;
- (b) filling a glass envelope with the plurality of glass fibers;
- (c) heating and pressing the filled glass envelope to create a billet;
- (d) heating and drawing the billet to create a tapered reduction in the diameter of the billet in the center portion of the billet to form an hourglass-like shape;
- (e) cutting the billet in the center portion of the billet to create at least one tapered frustoconical portions;
- (f) shaping the frustoconical portion to form a dental bleaching device having the desired shape;
- (g) polishing the ends of the dental bleaching device;
- and
- (h) fixing to one end of the dental bleaching device a connector adapted to be received by a light source.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.