Veterinary Surgical Laser Technology

Comparing Veterinary CO₂ Laser Technologies to VetScalpel

When selecting a CO₂ surgical laser for your practice, it is important to select the most reliable and ergonomic laser technology and warranty.

State-of-the-Art American Technology

Luxar lasers were the most popular surgical CO₂ lasers in the world from 1990-2005, with over 12,000 units installed, and were the first to feature a flexible waveguide fiber (www.luxarcare.com). The VetScalpel laser was designed by Luxar’s chief scientists and engineers, who improved upon the laser technology.

Veterinary VetScalpel lasers have many of the same critical components as the Luxar laser. Compared to Luxar lasers, however, new generation VetScalpel lasers feature an upgradeable user control panel, more laser pulsing capabilities, disposable-free (tipless) handpieces, and an efficient active cooling heat exchanger, among many other exclusive components.

VetScalpel Lasers Include the Following Components

1. All-metal laser tube;
2. Low voltage 32 volts DC and RF power supplies;
3. Heat exchanger;
4. Beam delivery system;
5. Laser power meter;
6. Beam attenuator – shutter;
7. Devices monitoring the performance of all critical components 1 through 6;
8. User control panel;
9. Fiber calibration port;
10. Software program controlling all the hardware items 1 through 9; and
11. Safety ‘watch-dog’ software program monitoring items 1 through 10.

How Do Imported Lasers Compare to American-Made Lasers?

Imported lasers often have bulky articulated arms (1980s technology), and fragile, high voltage (over 10,000 volts) glass laser tubes; intense heat is generated by plasma inside the glass tube and could cause it to crack (1960s technology).

‘Distal Calibration’

VetScalpel is the only veterinary surgical CO₂ laser on the market today with the ability to calibrate the laser power or verify that the power selected on the control panel matches the power that exits the laser handpiece. Calibration can be done at any time by the user through the calibration port on the side of the laser (Figure 2).

Although FDA regulations require all medical lasers to have a built-in power meter (FDA CDRH Title 21 Part 1040.11), some imported lasers do not have this device. When using a laser without a power meter and distal calibration capabilities, the clinician does not have a way to determine how much power is applied to the patient.