New Biolase Whiz bang

[Anonymous]

I’d also like to know about the selectable pulse modes- I assume free running and

[Glenn van As]

Congrats to Biolase for the new machine. It will force all the laser companies to re-evaluate their units and bring out the 2nd generation of units and that is good for ALL laser users.

It seems like a significant upgrade for Biolase and kudos to them for this.

COngrats to Biolase again and hopefully other companies will follow suit with new machines as well.

Exciting times indeed!!

Glenn

[Swpmn]

Took a look at the WaterlaseMD yesterday:

1) First thing you notice is the size – smaller than the Waterlase.  Casing has an area to store the foot pedal, power cord and air line when the laser is moved.  Irrigation water supply seems easier to change than the Waterlase.

2) Optical fiber suspension system is improved – a telescopic arm with a hinge at the base

3)  Handpiece is markedly improved.  Truly contra-angled just like a high speed handpiece. Handpiece “head” is much smaller than Waterlase which should improve visualization of treatment site along with the LED illumination.  Also the water spray is more focused on the target site rather than the “shotgun” spray of the Waterlase.  Back of the gold mirror is seen on the top of the handpiece head similar to the Opus Duo Er – perhaps to allow easier access for cleaning.

4) Console Control and Tech Specs

There is a colored, pop-up, touch-screen monitor used to control the laser.  Console average power readout varies from 0.1W to 8.0W.  Maxium energy setting still listed as 300mJ.  Pulse Rate may be adjusted in increments of 5 from 10 to 50 Hz.  There is an “H”(hard tissue) mode where the Pulse Duration/Width is 140 usec.  An “S”(soft tissue) mode is available and the Pulse Duration is 700 usec.

When one touches the four presets previously available on the Waterlase, a subsequent screen opens revealing four customizable pre-sets within each master pre-set, thus providing 16 pre-sets.  There is a “Setting” touch area which allows the operator to adjust the intensity of the LED illumination as well as the aiming beam 630-655nm intensity.  Within this area, a “Calibration” area was also noted.  There is a “?” mode which provides feedback on recommended power settings or tip selection.  Also, the unit alerts the operator when the water in the irrigation bottle is getting low and I was told the the laser can detect “bad” tips.
…….

Just a side observation – I saw no mention of the term “Hydrokinetics” in any of the presentation or materials related to the WaterlaseMD.

Al

[cerecdoc]

This sounds very exciting.  I like the variable pulse, of course, and the contra angle.  I never did really like the fully 90degree angle.  And the LED should be VERY nice.

I wonder about the 8 watts.  I’m afraid to cut at 6 watts now for fear of blowing a fiber, or a mirror.  And 6 watts is quite fast enough to blow enamel away!  

I wonder if the 8 watts is just to show inexperienced docs at the shows how fast it cuts on dried out pig jaws!

But if the faster hertz will enable the erbium to do the same (heating) as a diode or NdYag in a sulcus, then that would be very significant.

It does sound like all other erbiums better run for cover with those specs, however!

But the sale doldrums which Biolase was accused of being in had little to do with the competition lasers anyway.  And more to do with the price of gas and its effects on us all.

This might just solve their inventory problem. The crystals from the old models, and even the trade in’s should be able to be used in the new models. And since they take a full two years to grow. That must be a significant part of the cost of the units.

Sirona is pathologically obsessed with destroying every CEREC 2 in the world! They’re afraid the new buyers will find out that it’s just as easy to do onlays, (the way they are currently teaching them to be done), on the &#3610,000.00 E-bay versions of the CEREC 2’s as it is on the &#3692,000.00 CEREC 3D’s. I saw it with my own eyes last week!

(Edited by cerecdoc at 12:26 am on Oct. 3, 2004)

[Glenn van As]

Great post Allen, it seems like signficant improvements have been made in the version. I like the variable pulse, the changes in the fiber, the foot pedal that has a spot (mine are always in the way), the variable hertz rates and the lack of hydrokinetics are huge improvements in my mind.

I would imagine that the long pulse width might as Bob Gregg has told us, be much better for soft tissue surgery.

Allen, I always enjoy your posts, they are thoughtful and address concerns that experienced users might be interested in.

Larry, you posts always are interesting too. Why is it that you think other manufacturers will run and hide. Do you think the other manufacturers perhaps have been working as well on new units??

I always smile when I read your posts………not necessarily for the same reason that I smile when I read Allens ones though.

Glenn

[Anonymous]

QUOTE

Quote: from Glenn van As on 11:38 am on Oct. 3, 2004

I would imagine that the long pulse width might as Bob Gregg has told us, be much better for soft tissue surgery.

Glenn

Good question, Glenn. I hope Bob weighs in on this (eric?).

Just off the top of my head my concerns would be that, while the longer pulse width will help with coagulation, this will not be comparable to ndyag or diode because of the difference in penetration depth.

I was looking at the Biolase website and it lists the following specs for MD-

Wavelength:  Er,Cr3+:YSGG, 2780 nm  
Power:  0.1 to 8.0 W  
Repetition Rate:  10 to 50 Hz  
Pulse Energy:  300 mJ  
Laser Classification:  IV  
Operating Voltage:  115 VAC~± 10%  
Dimensions:  12.5 x. 26 x 32 in  
Weight:  75lbs  

and for the Waterlase

Power: 0.0 – 6.0W

Pulse Energy: 0 – 300 mJ

Laser Classification: IV

Operating Voltage:115 VAC~± 10%

Dimensions: (Wx L x H): 12.5 x. 26 x 32 in

Is it smaller, or just in appearance, or is the website incorrect?

[dkimmel]

It is a pretty slick unit!
Allen did a great job of detailing the changes.
There are a couple of other neat features.
The waterbottle is now a sealed pressurized unit that a IV bag can be place in if you are using sterile water. It also has a sensor to tell you when you are getting low on water.
The tips are now color coded and the unit will tell the different the energy levels for each tip.
Word is the 50HZ on the softtissue settings is a real smooth cut. It will be interesting to see what Mark C can now do with his crown preps.

I did upgrade this weekend. Rather a nobrainer. They offered to take my unit back and credit it less depreciation. The deal is they take what you paided for the unit less &#362000 for the first month and &#361000 for each addition month you have had the unit. So if you paid &#3650,000 for your Waterlase and had it for 4 months, they would credit you &#3645,000 toward the Waterlase MD.

[Glenn van As]

Ron: another thing that laser physics will teach you is that no matter how long the Pulse Duration is, the wavelength is NOT well absorbed in hemoglobin. This is a big factor for all erbiums in the family. They arent soft tissue lasers no matter how long or short the PD is.

Ps I am looking at your case right now.

Glenn

[Kenneth Luk]

So how much is this MD selling in US ?
I heard that their target clients are mainly for Oral surgery use with the MD. Less emphasis on no shot no pain.
As I’m beginning to get used to the Opus Erbium on trial, now I’ll wait and see.
Ken

[spider24]

QUOTE

Quote: from Glenn van As on 1:33 am on Oct. 4, 2004
Ron:  another thing that laser physics will teach you is that no matter how long the Pulse Duration is, the wavelength is NOT well absorbed in hemoglobin.  This is a big factor for all erbiums in the family.  They arent soft tissue lasers no matter how long or short the PD is.

Ps I am looking at your case right now.

Glenn

Thats my opinion too ! But neverless the MD will be a challenge for other companies when i see the specs. It will set new standards in hard tissue treatment.

Olaf

[Glenn van As]

Olaf: I totally agree that Biolase has built a machine to be envied. I do hope all the bugs are out when it comes out and if so, then this will set the bar for other companies to improve upon.

I still use my erbium for lots of soft tissue understanding its limitations for soft tissue surgery in inflamed areas due to its absorption spectrum, and its lack of sensitivity in being absorbed by mutliple tissues (both hard and soft). As a cutter it is faster than any of the soft tissue wavelengths I have used. (Argon and two wavelengths of diode (980 and 810) clinically).

Glenn

[Swpmn]

QUOTE

Dimensions: (Wx L x H): 12.5 x. 26 x 32 in

Is it smaller, or just in appearance, or is the website incorrect?

Excellent observation, Ron. To me, the WaterlaseMD appeared smaller than the Waterlase, and the latter was in abundance at the booth. Just out of curiosity I measured my Waterlase this PM and got 11.5 X 26 X 32.

Perhaps Kimmel can offer his opinion on size comparison.

Al

[dkimmel]

There must be a mistake on the measurements as it is smaller. The height as I remember is about the same. The length is slightly less and it is skinner.
Then again it is a darker color and that would make it look smaller as well as it is more angular and less rounded.
All I know for sure is Susan thinks its sexer looking and she said I could up-grade!
Live is good.
Now if I could get her to let me buy the Periolase!!! Think they may make a sexer looking unit soon???

DAvid

[mickey frankl]

David,what is the price of this new waterlase?

[arrowsmith]

My rep told me it is going for &#3670K but that he’d sell one to me for &#3665K. He told me the same as was posted earlier about depreciation. Basically, I’ve had my Waterlase for a year and to upgrade will cost me &#3628K.

aaroN

[Author]

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