초록 ▼

A system and method for achieving partial polymerization of a photoreactive resin include: (i) light source means for providing light energy to the photoreactive resin, the light source means having an intensity; (ii) timing means for causing the light source means to provide light energy to the pho

A system and method for achieving partial polymerization of a photoreactive resin include: (i) light source means for providing light energy to the photoreactive resin, the light source means having an intensity; (ii) timing means for causing the light source means to provide light energy to the photoreactive resin for an illumination time, during which the light source means provides light energy to the photoreactive resin, the timing means selectively operable in a plurality of different time increments, thereby allowing fine tuning of the total amount of light energy provided to the photoreactive resin; and (iii) power supply means electrically coupled to the light source means and the timing means for supplying electrical power to the light source means and the timing means. In one embodiment, the system is programmed to automatically achieve a constant total light energy output despite variations in the intensity of the light source means. The system may also pulsate and is operable in a full cure and partial cure mode.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:] [22.] A light curing system for polymerizing photoreactive resin, the light curing system including(a) light source means for providing light energy to the photoreactive resin, the light source means having an intensity

[ What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:] [22.] A light curing system for polymerizing photoreactive resin, the light curing system including(a) light source means for providing light energy to the photoreactive resin, the light source means having an intensity;(b) timing means for causing the light source means to provide light energy to the photoreactive resin for an illumination time, during which the light source means provides light energy to the photoreactive resin; and(c) power supply means electrically coupled to the light source means and the timing means for supplying electrical power to the light source means and the timing means, wherein the improvement comprises:metering means for measuring the intensity of the light source means, and wherein the timing means comprises automatic time selecting means electrically coupled to the metering means for automatically selecting the illumination time based on a value of a predetermined total light energy to be emitted by the light source, and on a measurement of the intensity of the light source means, the automatic time selecting means programmed such that the light curing system produces a substantially reproducible total light energy.