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US 8,025,502 B2Granted
Light guide for dentistry applications
AssigneeDiscus Dental, LLC
InventorsEric P. Rose, Bruce Sargeant, Douglas H. Grambush, Stuart Karten, Dennis Schroeder
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention relates to a light guide for a lamp for dentistry procedures. The light guide provides an optical channel between a light source and a dental substrate. The light guide may be a one-patient use light guide including a recording medium to record the time used. The light guide further provides protection for a patient's soft tissues during treatment.
Claims27
A single-patient light guide comprising:
- a tube having a substantially ellipsoidal cross-section, said tube having a first open end for coupling to a light system;
- a second end with an inter-engaging formation;
- said inter-engaging formation removably coupled to a lip retracting device;
- said lip for retracting device retracts at least a portion of a patient's mouth;
- and
- a memory circuit in communication with a control system on said light system disposed on the tube for storing a record of a duration of use of the light guide;
- and
- said control system prevents activation of said light system when said duration of use exceeds a usage limit,
- wherein said ellipsoidal tube has a hollow interior for light from the light system to pass through without being optically affected.
6 more elements
A single-patient light guide comprising:
- a tube having a substantially ellipsoidal cross-section, said tube having a hollow interior;
- a first open end for coupling to a light system;
- a second open end comprising an inter-engaging formation;
- said inter-engaging formation removably coupled to a lip retracting device for retracting at least a portion of a patient's mouth;
- and
- a recording device in communication with a control system on said light system coupled to the tube for storing a record of a duration of use signal of the light guide;
- and
- said control system prevents activation of said light system if duration of use exceeds a usage limit,
- wherein the hollow ellipsoidal tube of the light guide allows light from the light system to pass through without being optically affected.
6 more elements
A single-patient light guide comprising:
- a substantially hollow tube having a substantially ellipsoidal cross-section;
- said substantially hollow tube comprises an opening at each end, and at least one inter-engaging formation at each end;
- said at least one inter-engaging formation removably coupled to a light system and the other is removably coupled to a lip retracting device;
- and a memory circuit in communication with a control system on said light system and disposed on the underside of the tube for storing a record of a duration of use of said light guide;
- and said control system prevents activation of the light system if said duration of use exceeds a usage limit;
- wherein said light guide allows light from said light system to pass through without being optically affected.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.