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9. PROCEDURAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USING THE SAPPHIRE
®
PORTABLE DIODE LASER
Following procedure guidelines are provided as a guide only and have been developed based on information
provided by experienced laser users and educators. Always review the patient’s history to evaluate possible
contra-indication for use of local anesthesia or other complications. All clinical procedures performed with the
Sapphire Portable Diode Laser must be subjected to the same clinical judgment and care as with traditional
techniques. Patient risk must always be considered and fully understood before clinical treatment. The clinician
must completely understand the patient’s medical history prior to treatment.
Contraindications
Exercise caution for general medical conditions that might contraindicate a local procedure. Such conditions
may include allergy to local or topical anesthetics, heart disease, lung disease, bleeding disorders, and immune
system deficiency, or any medical conditions or medications that may contraindicate use of certain light/laser
type sources associated with this device. Medical clearance from patient’s physician is advisable when doubt
exists regarding treatment.
Fiber Optic Tips are designed for single-use only and must be changed between patients. See Section
“Installing Single-Use Fiber Optic Tips”
(page 17) for details.
T
est Firing the Sapphire Portable Diode Laser:
Always test-fire the Sapphire Portable Diode Laser prior to using it intra-orally. Set working beam power to
1.0W CW, and place the Sapphire Portable Diode Laser in the READY mode. Activate the working beam for
1 - 2 seconds while aiming the Fiber Optic Tip onto a 2 x 2 gauze sponge moistened with water. Do not use
alcohol or any other combustible material to wet the 2 x 2 sponge, as it may ignite.
Tip Initiation (when indicated):
Not all soft tissue procedures require contacting tissue with the Fiber Optic Tip. Those procedures that do not
require contact will use a Fiber Optic Tip that has NOT been initiated, because to be effective in non-contact
mode, laser energy must flow unimpeded from the Tip. See section “Initiating the Fiber” (page 19) for guidance.
Sapphire Portable Diode Laser Use:
NOTE: Before using the Sapphire Portable Diode Laser for patient treatment, it is recommended that a sanitary,
disposable single-use Barrier Sleeve be placed on the Handpiece to minimize soiling the Handpiece and reduce
the chance for patient-to-patient cross-contamination. Reusing these sleeves will greatly increase the chance
of patient-to-patient infection. Safely discard following use. Contact your Den-Mat Holdings, LLC Authorized
Distributor for replacement packages of Barrier Sleeves.
Depress the Handpiece actuator switch (or the Foot Pedal, if installed) and make short quick strokes at the
lowest power that you can to remove the target tissues while lightly contacting it. Release the Handpiece
actuator switch (or the Foot Pedal) and use a clean 2 x 2 gauze sponge moistened with water to remove debris
from the Fiber Optic Tip. Do not use flammable liquids to wet the sponge.
Place the Sapphire
®
Portable Diode Laser in Standby Mode until you are ready to start another procedure.
Turn the Operating Key counterclockwise to the “OFF” position if you are not going to be starting
another procedure.
Record the Power settings and total procedure times used for each procedure in the patient’s chart.
For example:
Patient Name: Mary Jones
Procedure: Gingivectomy # 6 and # 7
#6 procedure time 90 seconds @ 1.0 Watts CW air cooled
#7 procedure time 60 seconds @ 1.1 Watts CW air / water spray
