Patent ID: 6402511
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: A61B,A61C

Abstract:
A disposable pathogen barrier for placement over and in proximate contact with a light emitting end of a light guide means of a dental material curing lamp for significantly reducing the spread of communicable and infectious diseases which may be transmitted by or through contact with human body fluids and tissues during a first and subsequent use of said dental material curing lamp in conjunction with the treatment of two or more patients eliminating the need for repeated sterilization of said dental material curing lamp between such uses for two or more patients comprising an elongated tubular sleeve made in continuous dipped form from polyurethane terminating in a substantially circular aperture at a first end thereof and having an optically transmissive second end capable of freely passing emitted light rays from said light emitting means in the range of 500-800 manometers for illuminating a designated area to expose composite dental material to said light rays and cure said composite dental material without distortion, interruption or wavelength shifting, and for fitting over said light emitting means and preventing contamination of the outer surfaces of said light emitting means and said dental material curing lamp, said barrier having sufficient elastic material memory to maintain itself in position covering said light guide means without slippage until manual removal.