Ray:

Perhaps I will do that if there is an interest amongst the membership. What categories would you like to see compared?

Al

Hello All: I read this diode discussion with a lot of interest and now much frustration and confusion. So here’s my two cents:
When I study some science (thanks, Bob Gregg, my friend!) I find that the water absorbance of the short wavelength lasers (pick a number between about 500 and 1000nm) is very little, especially when you compare the 10 to the 4th power absorbance of the Erbium family. To me that means that the water absorbance is next to nothing. The area around 1000nm is about 2-3 times that of the area around 800nm, but that’s still 2-3 times almost nothing. The advantage to using those shorter wavelength lasers is that you CAN work in a somewhat wet field if you need to because the laser light transmitts through the water (which of course is why it’s not absorbed.) The purpose of “activating” or “initiating” the tip of a diode device is to start some thermal activity at the point of contact with the tissue, so that you can begin to ablate. The tip is supposed to be very lightly “carbonized, ” not “charred.” The diodes have tiny peak powers compared to the free running pulsed machines, like the FR Nd:YAG, so that’s why you would initiate the tip. If you wish the diode energy to penetrate into the tissue to achieve, for example, hemostasis or aphthous ulcer decontamination, you do NOT initiate the tip. The nice thing about your ability to use some wetness in your diode surgery is that you can cool the target tissue, since you’re using an essentially continuous wave output. Those of us who grew up on FR Nd:YAG’s have to be very careful in using the continuous wave devices because of that tissue cooling problem. Anyway, from all my reading, practicing, and writing, I conclude that, for all diodes, 1) water absorbance is meaningless, 2) you initiate in some cases and not in others, 3) be careful of advertisements if there’s no science.
Your biological width observations are good ones, by the way. My only addition to the discussion is to once again emphasize that the continuous wave emission of laser energy can get you into some trouble when the tissue cannot dissipate the heat fast enough. Thanks for reading this far……..DON

Hi Don,

Thanks for the input.

I understand you are an experienced laser user, so it would be great to receive more words of wisdom from you.

Andrew

Hi Ron,

Ouch!  I feel for you.

What is the definition for a bad tip?

What kind of problems can be the cause?

What is your take on this?

What is the explanation that has been given by Biolase?

Andrew

(Edited by ASI at 5:17 pm on June 20, 2003)

(Edited by ASI at 5:17 pm on June 20, 2003)

mick, i wold be surprised if they actually charged you, but i dont think u should pay..if u have any laser questions feel free to call me here in NY at 516 239 6204..I’ve been using the laser for almost 3 years and have been thru it all…Regards Ron