Headlights REALITY S CHOICES. Fiber-optic. Halogen

Transcription

1 REALITY S CHOICES Fiber-optic 1. Altair SA 2. Zeon Illuminator Orascoptic/sds 3. SurgiTel Micro-Mini 4. SurgiTel Micro-Mini High Intensity 1. SurgiTel Mini The Ratings 529

2 Fiber Optic Cost Size of Spot at 14in/ 35.6cm Power 14.0 in/35.6 cm Maximum Spot Minimum Spot Does changing Foot- Foot- Loaner bulb require Maximum Minimum Candles Lux Candles Lux Program tools? Diameter Iris Adj. Altair SA $1, in/ 10.5cm 0.7in/ 1.9cm 2,147 23,300 1,807 19,567 Yes Yes 0.8oz/ 22.7g 0.7in/ 18.7mm Yes, easy Zeon Illuminator Orascoptic/sds $1, in/ 8.0cm 2.2in/ 5.7cm 2,923 31,400 3,670 39,800 No No 0.7oz/ 19.8g 0.8in/ 21.0mm Yes, requires more effort SurgiTel Micro-Mini 6.75in/ 3.5in/ $1, cm 9cm 7,560 1,970 21,533 Yes Yes 0.7oz/ 19.8g 0.6in/ 16.8mm Yes, easy SurgiTel Micro- Mini High Intensity 3.1in/ 1.6in/ $1, ,220 23,700 5,663 61,333 Yes Yes 8.0cm 4.0cm 1.1oz/ 31.2g 1.0in/ 25.4mm Yes, difficult SurgiTel Mini $ $ w/battery pack 4.25in/ 10.8cm 1.5in/ 3.8cm 572 6, ,293 Yes No 0.8oz/ 22.7g 0.7in/ 17.8mm Yes, requires more effort Control Box Fiber Optic Height Depth Width Color Power Settings Length Removing Begins to Prematurely Cure Composite Bulb Wattage Altair SA 8.0lbs/ 3.6kg 4.1in/ 10.5cm 11.0in/ 27.9cm 5.5in/ 14.0cm Black or Taupe with Gray Control Panel 4 6.0ft/ 1.8m Easy, only one hand necessary Never when photobloc orange filter is selected, otherwise 1.75 minutes Zeon Illuminator Orascoptic/sds 6.0lbs/ 2.7kg 4.25in/ 10.8cm 9.5in/ 24.1cm 6.5in/ 16.5cm Light Taupe No Specific Settings 7.0ft/ 2.1m Easy, only one hand necessary Never when photobloc orange filter is utilized, otherwise minutes 150 SurgiTel Micro-Mini 8.0lbs/ 3.6kg 4.1in/ 10.5cm 11.0in/ 27.9cm 5.5in/ 14.0cm Black or Taupe with Gray Control Panel 4 7.2ft/ 2.2m Tight, requires two hands Never when photobloc orange filter is selected, otherwise 1.75 minutes SurgiTel Micro- Mini High Intensity 8.0lbs/ 3.6kg 4.1in/ 10.5cm 11.0in/ 27.9cm 5.5in/ 14.0cm Black or Taupe with Gray Control Panel 4 7.2ft/ 2.2m Tight, requires two hands Never when photobloc orange filter is utilized, otherwise minutes SurgiTel Mini 13.4oz/ 379.9g 1.4in/ 3.5cm 4.4in/ 11.1cm 2.75in/ 7.0cm Black 16.0ft/ 5 N/A > 5.0 minutes 4.9m The Ratings

3 Along with our desire to produce excellent esthetic dentistry comes the need to be able to see what we are doing more clearly. Without a doubt, the most important vision enhancement aid is a pair of high quality magnification loupes. When you can see a magnified image of a tooth through a pair of loupes, your ability to render precision care rises tremendously. Using a headlight is just another step beyond loupes. eliminate most shadows, since your head can never get between the source of the light and the object being illuminated. And, with the light following your eyes, the object you are viewing is always maximally illuminated. This can be especially advantageous when viewing and/or treating different areas of the mouth during the same visit. Usually, as you move from one area to another, you have to readjust your overhead light repeatedly. Hygienists would also benefit from using a headlight, since they typically start at one corner of the mouth and progress to the opposite one. This requires constant readjustment of the treatment room light. Not only is a headlight an aid intraorally, but it is also valuable when contouring provisionals, since we usually move away from the patient for protection against grinding debris. This movement usually requires that we move the overhead light to illuminate our new work area. Then we have to move it back to the patient when we try in the provisional. We may have to do this jockeying of the light several times, a real nuisance. A headlight eliminates this problem. Corded vs. Cordless are available in two basic forms: corded and cordless. Our evaluation of one totally cordless unit left us with the impression that there are many advantages to headlights, but the cordless design had several major disadvantages: Since the cordless headlights contain a battery, they are heavier than corded versions. Usable and recharging time As with all battery-operated devices, cordless headlights will only run for a certain period of time, after which they must be recharged. The unit that we tested would only operate for two hours and then needed to be recharged for 16 hours. Power Cordless units do not provide the brightness of the corded headlights. Nevertheless, with LED technology encroaching into all areas, we will no doubt see a cordless version with that type of light source. It still remains to be seen, however, whether the illumination level will be adequate enough to complete with the corded versions. Corded With the deficiencies of the cordless products, corded headlights continue to be the most desirable, especially if you want unrivaled illumination and long operating times. They usually consist of three components: Control box This contains the light generator, a fan for cooling the unit, a power switch, and illumination brightness control. The control box typically sits on a cabinet top, as close to the operative area as possible. All of our CHOICES have handles on the top for easy moving from room to room. Most common type is fiber optic. They are very fine and lightweight on all the headlights we tested. Includes the lens and a flip-up mechanism. All of our tested units are very small and lightweight. Headband vs. Magnification Lenses Mount In the past, especially with fiber optic systems, the cords were heavy and, therefore, mounting the headlight on a headband was the standard. Headbands distribute the weight of headlights and cords so that there is minimal pressure on your neck muscles. However, headbands certainly do not blend with creative coiffures. As an alternative, the headlight can be mounted on the frame of the magnification loupe itself. While this style does not involve having to wear a headband, it does add weight to the loupes. Therefore, no matter what type of headlight you choose, the mounting is critical to your comfort. If you try one type and it does not work for you, try the other option. Fiber Optic vs. The fiber optic systems have been used for years in operating rooms, where the surgeon is typically standing and the light source is on a cabinet or cart away from the surgical field. This type of light was introduced to dentistry and has been the only reasonable option until recently. While fiber optic headlights provide unmatched illumination, the umbilical is still a nuisance and the cost can be a barrier. To make it practical for a busy practitioner, you would need to have a control box in every room. In addition, if you look at someone through your loupes (and the headlight), that person will be zapped by the light. The halogen systems of the past were not very good due to a lack of illumination. With halogen, the bulb itself is in the headlight rather than in a box sitting on a countertop. Therefore, by eliminating the control box, the cost becomes much more reasonable. Nevertheless, the fiber optic systems (which also typically use a halogen bulb as the source of light) still produce the best illumination and should be your first stop when shopping for a headlight. Illumination Level / Iris Control With any headlight, you want to choose a level of light that gives you the amount of illumination you need to complete the procedure as effectively as possible. The illumination level is usually controlled by a setting on the control box. However, another setting that plays a role in the level of light as well as the coverage area is the iris adjustment, which controls the diameter of the spot produced. The iris adjustment is typically a circular dial on the headlight itself. Usually, the wider the spot, the better, since a wide coverage area will allow the entire view through magnification loupes to be evenly illuminated. However, the luminance of the headlight may be lower as the diameter of the spot is increased. Therefore, we measured the highest level of each light using a luminance meter at a distance of The Ratings 531

4 14.0in/35.6cm with the iris opened maximally and then with the iris constricted to its smallest setting. This information in Lux and foot-candles appears in the commentary for each headlight. We also measured the maximum and minimum diameters of the light beam by illuminating white paper at a distance of 14.0in/35.6cm. The power readings from manufacturers may not match our readings, since manufacturers may be using a different distance from the headlight to the light meter or a different iris setting. The distance we use (14.0in/35.6cm) was confirmed clinically. Premature Polymerization of Composite All four products in the Fiber Optic section have filters to prevent them from prematurely polymerizing light-sensitive materials. However, if you forget to switch the light to the filter setting, it could accelerate the set of a light-sensitive material. We tested all of our CHOICES by illuminating 4 Seasons Flow at the individual light s highest setting with the iris completely opened and closed. For the control group, the flowable was dispensed on flattened dentin and immediately covered by a glass slide with a 230g weigh on it. After 1.0 minute, the weight was removed and the material was light cured for 40 seconds. The polymerized disc of flowable was then measured for thickness. Then the procedure was repeated after exposing the flowable to the headlight for 30-second intervals at 14.0in/35.6cm, which again simulates the distance your head would probably be from the patient s mouth clinically. Polymerized discs of flowable were then measured and compared to the control. When the thickness of the disc exposed to the headlight differed from the control by 10%, the test was stopped and that time was recorded. This increase in thickness indicates the composite was prematurely polymerizing under the headlight. The results are listed in the commentary for each light. However, it would still be prudent to test your headlight at your chosen illumination level on a small amount of composite to see what effect it will have on premature polymerization. Fiber Optic 1 REALITY S CHOICES Altair SA (4.7) Cost: $1, (focusable optics and mounting bracket) Fiber optic cable with ACMI fiber optic connector Nova Plus light source Warranty: 3 years for the light source. 1 year for the fiber optic cable. What if it needs repairs? Contact at If the problem cannot be resolved over the phone, a pick-up authorization will be issued. Is there a loaner program? Yes, will send a unit while any repairs are completed. Free Trial: 30 days. First with photobloc orange filter Easy to release umbilical from base unit Changing bulb requires tool Lowest power in group Control Box Black or taupe metal with gray control panel. Has a clean, but not particularly high-tech design. The control panel on the front has the on-off switch as well as the knob to control the amount of illumination to the light itself. You have your choice of low, medium, and high levels of light (although the markings on the panel only indicate low and high), plus one level with a photobloc orange filter. You can also lower the power at each level by using the Max Lamp Life setting on the back of the unit instead of the Max 532 The Ratings

5 Illumination setting. If you use the Max Lamp Life setting, the brightness of the light decreases slightly, but the life of the bulb presumably increases. When you use the filtered light, you can continue to manipulate light-activated materials without worrying that they will prematurely polymerize. The umbilical plugs into the front right side of the control box. When you want to walk from room to room, you merely pull the umbilical out easily with one hand. The connector did not fit any other control boxes. Stats Height Width Depth Bulb wattage 4.1in/10.5cm 5.5in/14.0cm 11.0in/27.9cm 8.0lbs/3.6kg Power 14.0in/35.6cm Size of spot foot-candles Lux Minimum 1,807 19,567 Maximum 2,147 23,300 Begins to Polymerize 14.0in/35.6cm (minutes) Minimum spot 2.0 Maximum spot 1.75 Changing the Bulb Unscrew the screw on the plate on the top of the control box and open the door to the bulb recess. Remove the bulb and replace. This is quick and easy, requiring only a screwdriver or even a coin. 6.0ft/1.8m Size of 14.0in/35.6cm Minimum 0.7in/1.9cm Maximum 4.1in/10.5cm Diameter Iris Adjustment 0.7in/18.7mm 0.8oz/22.7g Knurled dial, turns very easily only requires one hand. Zeon Illuminator Orascoptic/sds (4.6) 2 REALITY S CHOICES Cost: $1, Fiber optic cable Zeon Illuminator light source ($590.00) Cost: $ Fiber optic cable Warranty: 2 years for source box. 1 year for light and fiber optic cable. What if it needs repairs? Call for RMA to send it back to Orascoptic. Turn around time is 3 10 days. Is there a loaner program? No. There is, however, a replacement program. Credit will be issued when the damage to the returned unit is evaluated. Free Trial: 45 days. Actually, you buy it and then get a refund if you don t want it. Brightest of the bunch Most settings Has hot spot in middle of beam Smallest diameter beam Control Box Light taupe plastic. Has a clean, but not particularly high-tech design. The control panel on the front has the power switch, a circular knob called the iris control actuator, and horizontal sliding voltage control. Both the iris and voltage controls vary the amount of illumination. The voltage control lowers intensity by lowering color temperature, while the iris control lowers intensity by maintaining constant color temperature. It is difficult, however, to the casual eye, to tell the difference. The Ratings 533

6 There is now a photobloc orange filter, which resembles a metal sliding pocket door, in that it is installed in a slot in the left side of the unit. When you want the filter to be active, you push it completely into the light. After you have cured your restoration and want normal illumination, you pull the filter out of the light. The umbilical plugs into the front left side of the control box. When you want to walk from room to room, you merely pull the umbilical out easily with one hand. The standard connector is specific for this control box, but several ACMI connectors are presumably also available (we did not evaluate these optional connectors) that allow the headlight to be used with other control boxes. Soft-start circuitry reportedly helps to maximize bulb life. Stats Height Width Depth 4.25in/10.8cm 6.5in/16.5cm 9.5in/24.1cm 6.0lbs/2.7kg Power 14.0in/35.6cm Size of spot foot-candles Lux Minimum 3,670 39,800 Maximum 2,923 31,400 Begins to Polymerize 14.0in/35.6cm (minutes) Minimum spot 0.3 Maximum spot 0.75 Changing the Bulb There is a black recess on the left side of the unit. Push down on the latch and the bottom-hinged door opens. The bulb is attached to this door and is easily accessible for changing. This is quick and easy, not requiring any tools. 7.0ft/2.1m Bulb wattage 150 Size of 14.0in/35.6cm Minimum 2.2in/5.7cm Maximum 3.1in/8.0cm Diameter Iris Adjustment 0.8in/21mm 0.7oz/19.8g Smooth dial, turns with some difficulty requires two hands. 3 REALITY S CHOICES SurgiTel Micro-Mini (4.5) Cost: $1, (focusable optics and mounting bracket) Fiber optic cable with ACMI fiber optic connector Nova Plus light source (HLT light source) $ Clip-on type without light source $ Fiber optic cable (replacement) $30.00 Orange/curing light filter Warranty: 1 year on base unit. 1 year for armored fiber optic cable. 30 days on non-armored fiber optic cable. What if it needs repairs? Contact customer service at Turnaround time is three days after receipt. Is there a loaner program? Yes, in emergencies. Free Trial: 45 days. Actually, you buy it and then get a refund if you don t want it. Iris allows the largest spot in category Smallest diameter Control panel needs better markings Ultra-Violet setting? Control Box Taupe metal with gray control panel. Has a clean, but not particularly high-tech design. The control panel on the front has the on-off switch as well as the knob to control the amount of illumination to the light itself. You have your choice of low, medium, and high levels of light (although 534 The Ratings

7 the markings on the panel are only icons), plus one level with a photobloc orange filter that is noted as for Ultra-Violet, not blue light. You can also lower the power at each level by using the Max Lamp Life setting on the back of the unit instead of the Max Illumination setting. If you use the Max Lamp Life setting, the brightness of the light decreases slightly, but the life of the bulb presumably increases. When you use the filtered light, you can continue to manipulate light-activated materials without worrying that they will prematurely polymerize. The umbilical plugs into the front right side of the control box. This aperture is specific for the SurgiTel headlight. When you want to walk from room to room, you merely pull the umbilical out, but this requires two hands due to the tight connection. Stats Height 4.1in/10.5cm Width 5.5in/14.0cm Depth 11.0in/27.9cm 8.0lbs/3.6kg Bulb wattage Size of 14.0in/35.6cm Minimum 3.5in/9.0cm Maximum 6.75in/17.1cm Power 14.0in/35.6cm Size of spot foot-candles Lux Minimum 1,970 21,533 Maximum 698 7,560 Begins to Polymerize 14.0in/35.6cm (minutes) Minimum spot 1.75 Maximum spot >5.0 Changing the Bulb Unscrew the screw on the plate on the top of the control box and open the door to the bulb recess. Remove the bulb and replace. This is quick and easy, requiring only a screwdriver or even a coin. 7.2ft/2.2m Diameter Iris Adjustment 0.6in/16.8mm 0.7oz/19.8g Smooth dial, turns easily only requires one hand. (4.4) SurgiTel Micro-Mini High Intensity 4 Cost: $1, (focusable optics and mounting bracket) Fiber optic cable with ACMI fiber optic connector Nova Plus light source (HLT light source) $ Clip-on type without light source $ Fiber optic cable (replacement) $30.00 Orange/curing light filter Warranty: 1 year on base unit. 1 year for armored fiber optic cable. 30 days on non-armored fiber optic cable. What if it needs repairs? Contact customer service at Turnaround time is three days after receipt. Is there a loaner program? Yes, in emergencies. Free Trial: 45 days. Actually, you buy it and then get a refund if you don t want it. Control Box Taupe metal with gray control panel. Has a clean, but not particularly high-tech design. The control panel on the front has the on-off switch as well as the knob to control the amount of illumination to the light itself. You have your choice of low, medium, Highest power when spot is minimized More power at same cost NEW Heaviest High power only when spot is less than maximum and high levels of light (although the markings on the panel are only icons), plus one level with a photobloc orange filter that is noted as for Ultra-Violet, not blue light. You can also lower the power at each level by using the Max Lamp Life setting on the back of the unit instead of the Max Illumination setting. If you use the Max Lamp Life setting, the brightness of the light decreases slightly, but the life of the bulb presumably increases. When you use the filtered light, you can continue to manipulate light-activated materials without worrying that they will prematurely polymerize. The umbilical plugs into the front right side of the control box. This aperture is specific for the SurgiTel headlight. When you The Ratings 535

8 want to walk from room to room, you merely pull the umbilical out, but this requires two hands due to the tight connection. Stats Height Width Depth Bulb wattage 4.1in/10.5cm 5.5in/14.0cm 11.0in/27.9cm 8.0lbs/3.6kg Size of 14.0in/35.6cm Minimum 1.6in/4.0cm Maximum 3.1in/8.0cm Power 14.0in/35.6cm Size of spot foot-candles Lux Begins to Polymerize 14.0in/35.6cm (minutes) Minimum spot 0.25 Maximum spot 1.25 Changing the Bulb Unscrew the screw on the plate on the top of the control box and open the door to the bulb recess. Remove the bulb and replace. This is quick and easy, requiring only a screwdriver or even a coin. 7.2ft/2.2m Diameter Iris Adjustment 1.0in/2.5cm 1.1oz/31.2g Entire headlight turns, but with difficulty requires two hands. Minimum 5,663 61,333 Maximum 2,220 23,700 1 SurgiTel Mini- (4.1) Cost: $ Clip-on light module In-line AC powerpack $ Optional Rechargeable Smart Battery Pack (3.5 hours) Warranty: One year on light and battery pack. What if it needs repairs? Contact customer service at Turnaround time is three days after receipt. Is there a loaner program? Yes, in emergencies. Free Trial: 45 days. Actually, you buy it and then get a refund if you don t want it. Does not require control box like fiber-optic models Can be totally portable with battery pack Battery pack is like a very heavy beeper Illumination is much lower than fiber-optic systems Description Small, matte black halogen light with clip-on attachment that snaps onto the frame of SurgiTel telescopes. The cord leading from the light to the power source is run along one side of the frame, secured with a Velcro fastener. This cord is very lightweight and, since it doesn t contain any fiber optics, is not as fragile as the other systems. The iris adjustment on the front of the light itself rotates in both directions and gives you the option of directing more light to a small area or less light to a larger area. Power can either be direct from the wall via the AC adapter or from the rechargeable battery pack. Both power sources have their pros and cons. The AC adapter is less expensive, provides an 536 The Ratings

9 unlimited working time, and adds no extra weight to this system. However, if you want to go from room to room, you will need to unplug yourself first. The battery pack gives you mobility and an intensity control. Through a soft touch panel on the front of the battery pack, you have your choice of five intensity levels. But not being tied to the wall has its downside too. The cord plugs into the battery pack right in the middle of the soft touch panel and interferes with access or even applying an adhesive barrier for asepsis. Despite the belt clip, the battery is still somewhat heavy (13.4oz/379.9g), but gives you an impressive 3.5 hours (not the four hours claimed by the manufacturer) of use on a full charge. It measures 1.4in/3.5cm high x 4.4in/11.1cm deep x 2.75in/7.0cm wide. There are two LED indicators on the front of the battery pack, one green and one red. About 30 minutes before the battery is about to lose power, the red light will begin to flash. Once power is drained, both lights will go out. During recharging, both the red and green light will glow. After completely draining the battery, it takes slightly over three hours to totally recharge it. You ll know it s recharged when the green light blinks and the red light goes off. Size of 14.0in/35.6cm Minimum 1.5in/3.8cm Maximum 4.25in/10.8cm Power 14.0in/35.6cm Begins to Polymerize 14.0in/35.6cm 3.5 minutes Minimum spot >5.0 Maximum spot >5.0 Changing the Bulb Point the light somewhat downward and rotate the Outer Shell outward until it is removed from its base. A spring, washer, and inner bulb cover should remain loosely inside the shell. (If they don t, a well-drawn diagram in the instructions shows how to replace all the tiny pieces in proper sequence). Pull the old bulb straight out and push the new one back into the socket. Re-thread the Outer Shell onto the light base and adjust it for focus and light diameter. (Fingers are the only tools required.) 16.0ft/4.9m Diameter 0.7in/17.8mm 0.8oz/22.7g Merely mount the light on the SurgiTel frame, turn it on, and away you go. Be aware that the cord can get tangled up with your dental stool, especially if you use a stool with arms. In addition, the light can get very hot. Size of spot foot-candles Lux Minimum 581 6,293 Maximum 572 6, in/8.0cm 647 6,990 The Ratings 537

10 REALITY FIBER OPTIC Altair SA is the first product in this category to offer a photobloc orange filter, but the other manufacturers have caught up with this innovation. Nevertheless, it has the most uniform light and moderate power even when the iris is opened fully. The iris adjustment is a knurled dial that is the easiest to adjust, even with one hand. Curiously, its spot is not round, but has nine sides. The umbilical can be easily removed with one hand. Zeon puts out the most powerful beam in this category when the spot size is comparable to the other headlights. If you need maximum illumination and coverage in your entire field of vision, this is your headlight. The control box also gives you the most options when adjusting the illumination and includes a photobloc orange filter, although the sliding door design is not as refined as the switches on the other products. In addition, there is a distinct hot spot in the middle of the beam and an orange halo around the spot. The iris adjustment is a smooth dial, but it is difficult to turn and requires two hands. The umbilical, however, is the easiest of all to disengage from the control box, even with one hand. SurgiTel Micro-Mini gives you the largest spot by far, but its power is the lowest by far if you open the iris maximally. More than likely, you will use it with the iris at its minimum, which should still cover your field of view through loupes. However, at this setting, it was still on the low end of the power continuum. It is the smallest headlight, with the iris adjustment being a simple smooth dial that is easy to turn with one hand. The umbilical is fully autoclavable, but it requires two hands to remove it from the control box. An armored version of the umbilical is also available with a metal sheath protecting the fiber optic bundle under the black rubber-like cover. However, this sheath makes the cable stiffer and heavier. SurgiTel Micro-Mini High Intensity is the newcomer to this group and, as its name states, it does produce a much higher level of illumination, but to achieve this brightness, the size of the spot needs to be quite small. When the spot size was comparable to the other products, its power is just moderate. The iris is controlled by rotating the entire headlight this is a maneuver that is not easy and requires two hands. It is also substantially larger and heavier than the other products. And it requires two hands to remove the umbilical from the control box. Nevertheless, if you want the brightest headlight and don t mind a narrow beam, this is it. HALOGEN If you are currently using a fiber optic light for its intensity, you probably won t like a halogen light. It just won t seem bright enough. However, the SurgiTel Mini- system is quite powerful for a non-fiber optic and gives you the option of cordless use through its battery pack. At just about half the cost of fiber optic (without the battery pack), the Mini is a good value, assuming you are willing to compromise somewhat on the illumination level. If you want to change the iris adjustment, just be aware that there is no stop as you decrease the size of the spot you can easily unscrew the headlight if you go too far. OTHER PRODUCTS IN THIS CATEGORY ALOS Altair Altair HI Centauri Portable Dentalite Designs for Vision System Cuda PeriLUX II PeriOptix Quadrilite 6000 Designs For Vision Starbright Zeon LumenArc Orascoptic/sds 538 The Ratings