DECEMBER 2012 n VSM


42


www.vetsuppliesmag.com


It is Time to Invest in Class IV Lasers?


Understanding the value of fi rst class IV laser therapy for today’s vet practices


Since the fi rst class IV laser therapy booth appeared at the 2006 North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, the modality has become arguably the fastest growing one in the veterinary profession. Why have more than 3,000 North American Vet practices invested in it; with an additional 2,000 veterinary practices implementing Class IV laser therapy this year?


CLINICAL CONSIDERATION Originally discovered by medical scientists in the 1960’s, laser therapy does not treat conditions, it stimulates the body’s inherent healing mechanisms via a process called photobiomodulation. Most original scientifi c studies were


in vitro or medically with low-powered lasers requiring prolonged treatment times. Class IV laser power provides the same therapeutic dose (4 to 10 J/ cm2


) to achieve biostimulation but to


a larger volume of patient tissue, in an economic time frame, and stimulates pain relief in deep joints and tissues of animals. Scientifi c studies have shown signifi cant anti-infl ammatory and pain management results in addition to ac- celerated wound healing responses for soft tissue, bone, and infection. Some Class 3b laser (max. <0.5


watts) proponents inaccurately contend that Class IV laser power is unsafe and burns patients. Based on the number of installations, it is estimated that 1,560,000 animals have been safely treated with FDA approved Class IV therapy lasers in the US alone.


BUSINESS CONSIDERATIONS VBS Direct brought an interesting clinical and business solution to the forefront in November 2012 at the London Vet Show. With a simple three- to eight-minute non-invasive treatment, delegates saw


a positive response in one to four treat- ments. It encouraged practices to offer a pain-management service performed by nursing and technical staff. The ser- vice required three to six patient visits, with chronic cases receiving monthly or quarterly single-treatment boosters. The average UK charge was £20


to £40 per treatment, and laser trained staff could perform four to six treat- ments per hour, resulting in vet-level revenue at technician costs. Time with the pet owner allowed staff members to answer client questions, discuss den- tistry and parasite control, and educate about geriatric exams or other impor- tant services the practice offered.


SELECTING A DEVICE


Wavelength – the “therapeutic window” is the region between the peaks of melanin and water’s absorption where suffi cient penetration is possible. All lasers in this range (700-1,000 nm) will be useful to some extent. Some companies offer multiple and selectable wavelengths for more effective targeting.


Continuous Wave (CW) or Pulsed – different tissue types respond better to different frequencies. It is important, therefore, to have a laser that has the ability to deliver the same dose at different frequencies to stimulate the most comprehensive healing.


Power – this defi nes the amount of energy emitted from a laser per unit time. For a given wavelength, and with knowledge of the optical properties of the tissue to be irradiated, power is the principal quantity that determines both penetration depth and duration of treatment.


Spot Size – the output spot size is important for two reasons: it determines the power density, which is the most


Laser therapy stimulates the body’s inherent healing mechanisms


important parameter of laser therapy; and not every ailment is the same size. Having the ability to change your spot size to fi t the need of the specifi c treatment is crucial.


Pre-set Programs (Multi-Frequency Protocols) – different ailments are better treated using different power, wavelength, frequency and treatment time settings, and so the technical versatility of the machine needs to be matched by a software platform that allows a simple way to identify and select the most appropriate settings.


Training and Certifi cation – these are not only important for safety, but also to get optimal clinical and fi nancial results. A company that sells a laser without full implementation and training for you and your entire staff is doing you a disservice.


Obsolescence – technology, as a rule, is always growing and equipment becomes obsolete. It is important to buy a device that will grow with you. The company prove the ability and commitment to update software as the clinical knowledge base grows.


For further information contact VBS Direct on +44 (0)845 528 0336 or email: enquiries@vbsdirect.co.uk


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