Trunk Fiber

[Glenn van As]

Hi guys………its a problem I do hear unfortunately from Biolase users and one of the things that does concern me about the unit is the reliability.

I can honestly say that I have had my Delight for 3 + years and only replaced…..

1. A foot pedal when the connection frayed (my fault)
2. The support pole when the spring broke.
3. The filter packs every year which are 100 dollars or so Canadian.
4. Tips…….

I havent replaced the fiber (2200 dolllars) so I feel fortunate. I wonder if other users of the Delight have had similar experiences.

The one thing that I hear more often than not from Waterlase users is that they must be very careful moving the unit and maintaining the unit because of the mirror design, and trunk fiber sensitivity.

That is what I have seen but from a marketing and innovation standpoint the company and the product are top notch.

Hope that helps…….its just an opinion from talking to many users.

Glenn

[lagunabb]

This seems to be an important issue (although probably second order compared to other considerations) that require more open disclosure. I tried a couple of years ago to get some data on mean-time to failure (MTTF) for comparison purposes. Understandably, both ConBio and Biolase were reluctant to disclose data like that since there are experience factors as well. Now that there are enough units out there, the statistics should be meaningul and helpful to the entire user community and would also keep the competitive juices flowing on the respective engineering departments to improve ruggedness. The physics of light transmission in solid waveguides is the same whether is brand x or brand y I don’t expect much difference for the Er based wavelenghts when it comes to waveguide durability. Nevertheless, seeing some data would be more useful than soft arguments and marketing hype. Are ConBio and Biolase willing to step forward with MTTF stats? I have my doubts.

[Glenn van As]

Great question Ray…….I dont think the problem is only with the fiber but perhaps with the mirror design in both.

Hoya makes fiberoptics so it might be possible for them to make a good fiber , then again maybe not.

I can honestly say though that fiber breakdown is not an issue for me.

I started with the laser calibrating at 82% and now it is at 75%

It has to be replaced at 65% or so……..

Glenn

[lagunabb]

Glenn, I believe your numbers, also believe Mark Colona’s experience. Still a larger sample size would be more accurate as I think you probably agree. The other pertinent factors are whether complex hand pieces are used in conjunction with the waveguides as I am sure there is some trade off between complexity-usability-durability. It is a tough optimization call I am sure and the engineers are applying their best knowledge. Corning makes the best low loss (low water content) fiber on the market and Hoya and others do make equivalent quality fibers. However, I don’t believe the fiber portions of the waveguide is an important issue.

[Alfred Wyatt]

Glenn,
After reading your post as well as all the others, I immediately went to calibrate my fiber(Hoya C.B.) I registered in @ 79% which I guess is pretty good for over a year’s time period. To this point the fiber has not been an issue and the laser moves all day.

Alfred

[Anonymous]

QUOTE

Quote: from Ron Schalter DDS on 1:39 pm on April 24, 2003
The first one I’ll take credit for as I’m sure I fried a tip.

This one was out of the blue. I always run the laser before using on a patient to let them hear it and I watch the tip to make sure there is no arcing and that water is going.

We always make sure air is going when we change tips to keep things dry.

When it went , the tip was far enough away that there was no effect on the surface of the tooth as I wanted to keep bathing it another 30 seconds.

The tech seems to think the defect might be in the middle of the trunk fiber since everthing but the 2 beams worked.

Guess I’ll find out Monday when the new fiber arrives.  

Biolase sent me a new fiber as their tech was at CDA.  Parts in short supply,  Down a whole week.

Tried new fiber with backup handpiece and new tip-same problem.

Tech arrived today and replaced fiber, handpiece, tip.

The  theory is that I got a batch of bad tips. Tech called to check on lot numbers – there have been some problems with tips. Evidently when I put the new tip in last Thursday I blew the fiber,tip and handpiece. When trying my backup handpiece with a new tip and the new fiber it all blew also. Biolase is sending me new tips and handpieces and they replaced the fiber.

Tech placed new fiber, handpiece and had 1 tip to leave me. We’re back in business but waiting for replacement handpieces and tips.

[Glenn van As]

They sure helped you out Ron…….that is great service.

Its too bad that you needed it in the first place but they came to your office and helped you out.

Lets hope its a long time before you blow another fiber.

Crazy stuff………

Glenn

[Swpmn]

Hmmmm….Crazy stuff or SOSDD(Same Old Sh_t Different Dentist)?????

Sounds familiar to me.

Al

[ASI]

Al,

Do I detect a distaste for the Waterlase performance?

Did you look closely at the other choices before you settled on the Waterlase?

Regards,

Andrew

[ASI]

Sorry, Al. I didn’t intend to put it in a way to be critical. I share your sentiment when a piece of dental technology is not performing as it can. No matter what it is. It is a nuisance that one doesn’t need especially in a middle of a procedure.

Cheers,

Andrew

[Swpmn]

Andrew:

Was nice to meet you in Anaheim.

I believe the reliability of the trunk fiber and mirrored handpiece delivery system on the Waterlase could be improved. Just too many reports of failure if you read the forums and talk to other dentists.

I did not look at other Erbiums.

Keep me posted on your experience with your new purchase.

Al

[Patricio]

Hi guys,
I am down since yesterday.  The Waterlaser just quit working.  I could restart it but it would shut down within a few seconds of use.

My tech thinks it is the power board which is not tolerating voltage changes well.  An up graded model is being build for my machine but we will lose a week before it is repaired.  No over night service for me.  It seems us jack pine savages may need to keep our own spare parts.  Whats the name of that other machine Glenn?  Does it come with a free scope?

Pat

[Anonymous]

QUOTE

Quote: from Patricio on 8:11 pm on May 6, 2003

My tech thinks it is the power board which is not tolerating voltage changes well.  

Pat,
I’ve been debating using a power backup/voltage conditioner like those used with computers. Our power is kinda unreliable. I think you just convinced me.

Sorry to hear about the problems. Hope they get you up and going quickly.

[Glenn van As]

Pat, you are a funny guy. Actually I wish guys like Alfred Wyatt whom I really respect, Alan Cady and other Con Bio users would tell me about their days when the laser was down. What was the problem etc……

I honestly do think that reliability is a big issue with some lasers. I may be in the minority but I just keep reading about trunk fibers and problems with certain lasers ( I know Mark doesnt have them) and I wonder if this is something that happens with most lasers or what.

PS no it doesnt come with a scope but Deka lasers is looking into making a combo scope + laser ( I talked to them at the CDA about it). COol concept even if I dont like the articulated arm.

Hope you get up and running really really quick.

All the best.

Glenn

[2thlaser]

Yes, it’s weird Glenn, I seriously don’t have any problems with my laser. I am now in a experimental mode, doing things that should blow the fiber, and haven’t yet, and my laser is cutting as fast as ever. I can’t figure it out. Lucky I guess. When I blow the fiber, I will document what I did to do it, but so far so good.
(I have a spare!). Anyhow, hope everyone get’s back to lasering soon.
Mark

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