Professional Systems
Selecting a therapeutic cold laser for a professional environment is very different than selecting a home-use or veterinary/equine cold laser. As a practitioner"physical therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist and the like"you are probably concerned with efficacy, ease of use and ROI for your business.
We’ll explore a range of selection criteria including technical specifications as well as make some cold laser system recommendations.
How Cold Lasers can be Used
Cold lasers cleared by the FDA can be marketed and sold for helping patients for these 4 main issues:
- Increased blood flow
- Inflammation reduction
- Chronic or acute pain control
- Accelerated healing
According to a report by the Institute of Medicine, over 30% of Americans are living with some form of chronic pain. Because of this, there is lot of opportunity for practitioners to help those manage their pain with cold laser therapy.
Medical professionals can advertise services focused on these 4 approved applications but cannot advertise for off-label applications such as cosmetic enhancements or curing cancer.
The lasers we sell are NOT intended for use for toenail fungus removal, cosmetic enhancement, hair growth, weight loss or cosmic chi alignment. Our products are for the 4 applications listed above.
Choosing a Cold Laser for the Office
Below are the 11 criteria you should consider when shopping for a therapeutic cold laser for your office. Our recommendations are listed in the boxes after each section.
1. Pinpoint or Broad Probes - If you will be using your system for trigger point therapy such as laser acupressure or hand therapy, you will want a pinpoint probe (emitter). Pinpoint probes allow high photon density (up to 167.4 J/cm2/minute) in a concentrated area.
For treating bones, tendons and muscles, you’ll want the largest probe diameter possible. The larger the probe diameter, the larger the treatment area, the less time the therapy will take, and the greater the chance you will cover the affected area.
Fortunately, with flexible systems such as the TerraQuant and Apollo, you can use both pinpoint and broad probes at the same time.
For pinpoint probes, try Thor, Apollo, Vectra Genesis and Theralase. TerraQuant products offer a glass adapter for use as a pinpoint. |
2. Wavelength - About 90% of cold lasers operate in the 800nm to 980nm wavelength. Several manufacturers (e.g. Erchonia) operate mainly in the 600 to 680nm wavelength range. Some popular brands"TerraQuant, Thor, Avant, Vectra Genesis"operate in both ranges, which can increase the cost of the system.
This table shows wavelengths by system and controller/probe packages. Several manufactures sell equipment where you can choose from a variety of wavelengths.
800 nm to 980 nm wavelength only |
Multiple wavelengths in one device |
Controller with Multiple Probes |
600 nm to 680 nm wavelength only |
Apollo, DioWave, Litecure, ML830, Theralase, K-laser, |
Avant, TerraQuant The Q1000ng is variable wavelength |
Thor, Omega, Vectra Genesis, DJO, MedX, |
Erconia |
3. Pulsed, Continuous, and Sweeping Waves - Over70% of manufacturers offer pulsed waves and they recommend pulsing for better long-term healing. Pulsing and sweeping the pulse allows for higher power levels while still being safe.
Continuous wave lasers allow for better pain control because of faster saturation of the damaged area. The extreme power levels can relieve a patient’s pain immediately. In many instances, you’ll want lower power levels with pulsing and sweep waves for increased healing, but the option of a continuous wave for quickly alleviating pain is valuable.
Pulsed Only |
Both |
Continuous Wave Only |
TerraQuant, Omega |
DioWave, Avant, Litecure, MedX Console, Thor, K-laser, Theralase, Erconia, DJO Vectra Genesis |
Apollo, ML830, Q1000ng |
4. How much power do you need? Cold laser power is one of biggest debates in the industry. And there’s no one right answer. However, in general:
· More power = shorter treatment times
· Shorter treatment times = help more patients, make more money
· More power = better coverage of larger areas, usually from multiple beams
· Better coverage = shorter treatment times
· More Power = better pain control
· Better pain control = more effectiveness
High power systems can also provide short, intense blasts that are better for pain control.
Less Than 100mW |
101 mW to 9,999 |
10,000 mW and Over |
Erconia, ML830 |
Avant, Apollo, Vectra Genesis, MedX, Q1000ng Thor, Omega. |
TerraQuant, DioWave, Theralase, Litecure, K-laser |
5. Power vs Safety - Cold lasers are rated by class from 1 to 4"the higher the class, the greater ability of the device to do damage. For example, Class 4 lasers can do immediate damage to the eye if used improperly. Class I cold lasers are extremely safe. You should weight the risk and liability with the reward (e.g. efficacy, ROI) with each class of cold laser.
Class I and II |
Class III |
Class IV |
TerraQuant, Theralase, Erconia, |
Avant, Thor, ML830, Omega, DJO, Vectra Genesis, |
DioWave, Apollo, Litecure, K-laser |
6. Unattended Operation and Portable Units Lasers come in a variety of styles: handhelds, battery operated portables, and desktop units. Consider your office layout and patient volume. Do you have multiple rooms and high volume? A portable laser might be the best option for efficiency. Desktop units can typically be fitted with articulated arm for unattended operation.
Battery Operated |
Requires A/C |
TQ Solo, Avant, Apollo, Q1000ng, Erconia, Theralase ML830, Omega, DJO Vectra Genesis, |
DioWave, TerraQuant Pro, Elite and LS-50, Thor Desktop, Litecure, K-laser, MedX Console, |
7. Ease of Use, Flexibility " Having a flexible, easy to use cold laser system should be one of your primary considerations. Will you want a system that can keep up as your practice grows? Will you want one that is easy to master yet still capable of taking on a wide variety of treatment applications? Think about the end results you want from using a cold laser and then work back from there.
8. Protocol Accuracy -- Having a “cookbook” of protocols or an onboard graphic menu to find protocols for each patient is crucial. Not every laser comes with particularly accurate or helpful protocol documentation. In addition, the accuracy and repeatability of the protocol can have big impact on efficacy. Higher-end systems will measure power output, adjusting for optimum power. These systems also have self-calibration, which makes adjustments automatically over years of use.
Thor claims they have the industry's most accurate protocol. Self-Calibrated units include the K-laser, Avant and DioWave. |
9. Warranty -- The standard industry warranty is 2 years. All the manufacturers will repair the units after the warranty period. Warranty is critical on higher end units because the lasers are more prone to burnout at higher levels. Repair costs on these units is also higher.
DioWave, Avant and Vectra Genesis have a 3-year warranty. The Quantum Wave laser has a 1-year. Everyone else offers a 2-year warranty. |
10. Aesthetics and Design " A laser’s aesthetics and design are important for the practitioner and the patient. For practitioners, a user-friendly system allows them to confidently focus on the treatment of patients and not the product. Even though it’s just perception, a well-designed desktop system will inspire confidence in the patient that their care will be effective.
As far as aesthetics, the ML830 and the DioWave are at opposite ends of the spectrum. |
11. ROI " You obviously want a good return on your cold laser investment. But if you’ve never used one in your practice, that may be hard to calculate initially. When thinking about which cold laser to buy, consider all the aforementioned 10 criteria, assign some kind of weight to each, and do your best to forecast the financial future. And don’t forget to consider word of mouth. If your cold laser therapy proves successful, your patients will tell their friends.
Laser Comparison
This chart compares lasers and their key specifications. We even list systems we don’t sell just to show you all of your options. We are neither recommending nor discouraging the purchase of these devices.
Product |
Class |
Protocols / Interface |
Equipment Type |
Power Waveform and Wavelength |
Sold Here |
Warranty |
Price |
TerraQuant TQ Solo |
I |
"Cookbook" with 3 modes |
Console + Probes |
15,000mW@905nm, 60mw @ 875nm 7.5 mW @ 660nm Pulsed, Sweep |
Yes |
2 years |
$1,995 |
TerraQuant Pro |
II |
"Cookbook" with 5 customizable Presets |
Console + Probes |
25,000mW@905nm, 60mw @ 875nm 7.5 mW @ 660nm Pulsed, Sweep |
Yes |
2 years |
$3,495 |
TerraQuant Elite |
II |
"Cookbook" with 5 customizable Presets |
Console + Probes |
50,000mW@905nm, 60mw @ 875nm 7.5 mW @ 660nm Pulsed, Sweep |
Yes |
2 years |
$5,295 |
Erchonia PL5000 |
II |
Graphic |
Console + Probes |
20mW @ 635nm CW, Pulsed |
No |
2 years |
$12,000 |
Theralase |
II |
LCD |
Console + Probes |
50,000 mW @905 Pulsed |
No |
2 years |
$8,300 |
LZ30 |
IIIb |
Graphic |
Cordless |
900mW@808nm 50mW @ 637nm CW, Pulsed, Sweep |
Yes |
3 years |
$4,250 |
LZ30-X |
IIIb |
Graphic |
Cordless |
900mW@808nm 190mW @ 637nm CW, Pulsed, Sweep |
Yes |
3 years |
$4,950 |
ML830 (Battery version) |
IIIb |
On/Off |
Cordless |
90mW @ 830nm CW |
No |
1 year |
$4,495 |
Q1000ng (with probes)* |
IIIb |
One-button operation |
Console + Probes |
Changes Wavelength not pulse 470-940nm 328mW to 64mW |
No |
2 years |
$7,500 |
Thor-LX (with probes) |
IIIb |
Ultimate Precision Online Database |
Console + 1 to 3Probes |
P1:: 200-2000mW@810nm P2:69 LEDs P3: 30mW@660nm CW, Pulsed |
Yes |
1 year |
$10,520 |
Medx Console |
IIIb |
Keypad and LCD |
Console + 2 Probes |
P1: 200mW@870nm P2: 500mW@633nm CW, Pulsed |
No |
2 years |
$5,495 |
Omega Xp |
IIIb |
Keypad and LCD |
Console + 8 Probes |
P1: 200mW@820nm P2: 50mW@660nm P3: 100mW @915nm Pulsed |
No |
2 years |
$14,495 |
DJO Vectra Genesis |
IIIb |
LCD |
Console + Probes |
100mW - 1440mW@ 850nm, 670nm - 950nm depending on probe CW, Pulsed |
No |
3 year |
$5,000 |
Quantum Wave (with probes)* |
IIIb |
LCD |
Console + Probes |
100mW |
No |
1 year |
$4,800 |
Apollo DT + 5000 Probe |
IV |
Countdown timer |
Console + Probes |
5,000mW@810nm CW |
Yes |
2 years |
$8,541 |
Apollo Portable +4000 |
IV |
Countdown timer |
Portable Console + Probes |
4,000mW@810nm CW |
Yes |
2 years |
$7,143 |
Apollo Handheld |
IV |
Countdown timer |
Cordless |
2,000mW@810nm CW |
Yes |
2 years |
$4,000 |
DioWave D10 |
IV |
9 " Touch screen Library |
Console + Fiber Optic Probes |
10,000mW@ 980nm CW, Pulsed, Sweep |
Yes |
3 Years |
$15,000 |
LiteCure LCT-1000 |
IV |
8 " Touch screen |
Console + Fiber Optic Probes |
10,000mW@ 980nm CW, Pulsed, Sweep |
No |
2 years |
$15,000 |
K-Laser K-1200 |
IV |
8 " Touch screen |
Console + Fiber Optic Probes |
12,000mW @ 800nm and/or 970nm CW, Pulsed, Sweep |
No |
2 years |
$15,000 |