Modular headrest and multi-light apparatus

Abstract

A multi-light apparatus ( 10 ) for primary use in dental or medicinal operatory workspaces and for interconnection with a modular operating chair ( 12 ), so as to form the headrest thereof, preferably includes first and second radiation sources ( 36,72 ) and a selection mechanism ( 70 ) for selecting a desired radiation source, a rigidly flexible light pipe ( 16 ) that may be alternatively coupled to each light source ( 36,72 ) and is configured to transmit selected radiation to a patient ( 14 ), a reflective surface ( 78 ) configured to direct the selected radiation to the pipe ( 16 ), a power supply ( 50 ), a cooling fan ( 56 ), and at least one potentiometer ( 66,68 ) for varying the voltage delivered to the sources ( 36,72 ) and fan ( 56 ).

1 . A light apparatus comprising:
 an illuminator including a light emitting diode controlled by electronics to produce light having a desired wavelength and a desired intensity; and   a rigidly flexible light pipe attached to the illuminator to fiberoptically deliver the light to a particular place, wherein the light pipe is at least approximately two feet in length, able to be repeatedly and inelastically bent or otherwise repositioned, and has a fiber optic core to facilitate delivery of the light.   
   
   
       2 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminator is operable to produce the light having a wavelength between ultraviolet light and infrared light. 
   
   
       3 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the illuminator is operable to produce the light having a wavelength approximately between 100 nm and 15,000 nm. 
   
   
       4 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminator is operable to produce the light having a range of wavelengths. 
   
   
       5 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the illuminator is operable to produce the light having a selectable range of different wavelengths associated with incandescent light, natural sunlight, and fluorescent light. 
   
   
       6 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the illuminator is operable to eliminate a subrange of wavelengths from the range of wavelengths. 
   
   
       7 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the range of wavelengths includes visible light, and the subrange of wavelengths includes a wavelength operable to polymerize a compound. 
   
   
       8 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the illuminator is operable to produce the light having only the subrange of wavelengths. 
   
   
       9 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the illuminator includes a timer operable to produce the light having only the subrange of wavelengths for a selected period of time, and, at the end of the selected period of time, automatically revert to producing the light having the range of wavelengths 
   
   
       10 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the subrange of wavelengths is operable to activate a bleaching compound. 
   
   
       11 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the subrange of wavelengths is operable to cause cancer cells painted with a solution to fluoresce. 
   
   
       12 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a fixed pole on which the illuminator and the light pipe are mounted. 
   
   
       13 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a pole on which the illuminator and the light pipe are mounted, a base to which the pole is attached, and a plurality of rollable members to which the base is attached. 
   
   
       14 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the light apparatus includes a track on which the illuminator and the light pipe are moveably mounted. 
   
   
       15 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a digital camera attachable to a light emitting end of the light pipe and operable to capture digital images. 
   
   
       16 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 1 , further including an illuminator tip attachable to a light emitting end of the light pipe and operable to increase the intensity of the light. 
   
   
       17 . The light apparatus as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the illuminator tip is curved to facilitate delivering the light behind a bodily tissue. 
   
   
       18 . A light apparatus comprising:
 an illuminator including a light emitting diode controlled by electronics to produce light having a desired wavelength and a desired intensity,   the illuminator being operable to produce the light having a range of wavelengths between ultraviolet light and infrared light, and to eliminate a subrange of wavelengths from the range of wavelengths, and   the illuminator being operable to produce the light having only the subrange of wavelengths; and   a rigidly flexible light pipe attached to the illuminator to deliver the light to a particular place, wherein the light pipe is at least approximately two feet in length, able to be repeatedly and inelastically bent or otherwise repositioned, and has a fiber optic core to facilitate delivery of the light.   
   
   
       19 . A light apparatus comprising:
 an illuminator including a light emitting diode controlled by electronics to produce light having a desired wavelength and a desired intensity,   the illuminator being operable to produce the light having a range of wavelengths between ultraviolet light and infrared light, and to eliminate a subrange of wavelengths from the range of wavelengths,   the illuminator being operable to produce the light having only the subrange of wavelengths,   wherein the range of wavelengths include visible light, and the subrange of wavelengths include wavelengths operable to activate a compound, and   the illuminator being operable to produce the light having a selectable range of different wavelengths associated with incandescent light, natural sunlight, and fluorescent light; and   a rigidly flexible light pipe attached to the illuminator to deliver the light to a particular place, wherein the light pipe is at least approximately two feet in length, able to be repeatedly and inelastically bent or otherwise repositioned, and has a fiber optic core to facilitate delivery of the light.