Three-dimensional curing light

Abstract

A 3-dimensional curing light that can cure a light curable material, such as a dental restoration, from 3 directions at once.

1 . A 3-dimensional curing light comprising: 
 a casing formed to have 3 facets,    said facets arranged so that adjoining facets are generally at a 90 degrees with respect to each other,    said facets being arranged to form a channel therebetween,    a source of curing light located at each facet,    said curing light sources emitting light toward said channel so that a material to be cured which is placed in said channel receives curing light from 3 directions simultaneously.    
     
     
         2 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said curing light sources is an LED.  
     
     
         3 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said curing light sources is a laser.  
     
     
         4 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said light sources includes a primary heat sink.  
     
     
         5 . A device as recited in  claim 4  further comprising a secondary heat sink in heat communication with said primary heat sink.  
     
     
         6 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein a quantity of heat paste is located between at least one of said light sources and a heat sink.  
     
     
         7 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said light source is selected from the group consisting of single LED chips, multiple LED chips, and LED arrays.  
     
     
         8 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said light sources generate light with a wavelength in the range of 280 to 5000 nm.  
     
     
         9 . A device as recited in  claim 1  wherein said light sources generate power in the range of 50 mW/cm2 to 3000 mW/cm2.  
     
     
         10 . A device as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a secondary heat sink insulated from said casing to avoid heating up said casing during use.  
     
     
         11 . A 3-dimensional curing light comprising: 
 3 facets forming a channel therebetween,    each of said facets having a source of curing light which emits curing light generally toward said channel so that a material to be cured which is placed in said channel receives curing light from 3 directions simultaneously.