Light Guide For Dentistry Applications

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.

1 . A light guide comprising: 
 a substantially ellipsoidal tube having a first end adapted to be removably coupled to a light system; and    a second end adapted to be removably coupled to a reference device; wherein said light guide provides an optical channel between the light system and a dental substrate.    
   
   
       2 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein said light guide is shaped and configured to prevent light escaping the light guide other than through said second end.  
   
   
       3 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein said light guide comprises a transparent or translucent wall.  
   
   
       4 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein said ellipsoidal tube comprises of a dielectric material.  
   
   
       5 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein said ellipsoidal tube is substantially hollow.  
   
   
       6 . The light guide of  claim 4  wherein said dielectric material is a polymer.  
   
   
       7 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein the light guide is made of a polymer material having a spectral absorption characteristic that passes visible light while absorbing UV light.  
   
   
       8 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein the light guide is made of a material that absorbs at least one range of wavelengths of light.  
   
   
       9 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein the light guide is made of a material that reflects at least one range of wavelengths of light.  
   
   
       10 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein said ellipsoidal tube further comprises at least one air vent.  
   
   
       11 . The light guide of  claim 1  further comprising an elastic member mounted to said second end wherein said elastic member forms a cushion between the light guide and the reference device.  
   
   
       12 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein the light system comprises an illumination frame comprising at least one light source in a geometric arrangement.  
   
   
       13 . The light guide of  claim 1  wherein said reference device comprises a lip retracting device.  
   
   
       14 . The light guide of  claim 1  adapted for a one-patient use wherein said light guide comprises of a non-sterilizable material, a non-autoclavable material or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       15 . A light guide comprising a substantially ellipsoidal tube having at least one formation for providing an alignment system to facilitate reliable positioning of the light system in proximity to a target.  
   
   
       16 . The light guide of  claim 15  wherein said at least one formation comprises at least one inter-engaging formation for inter-engaging at least one corresponding formation in the light system.  
   
   
       17 . The light guide of  claim 15  wherein said at least one formation comprises at least one inter-engaging formation for inter-engaging at least one corresponding formation in a reference device.  
   
   
       18 . The light guide of  claim 17  wherein said reference device comprises a lip retracting device.  
   
   
       19 . The light guide of  claim 15  wherein said light system comprises an illumination frame comprising at least one light source in a geometric arrangement.  
   
   
       20 . The light guide of  claim 11  wherein the elastic member is made of a material selected from a group consisting of an elastomer, a foam, a biodegradable material and combinations thereof.