Therapy lasers: A handy comparison chart
Thinking of adding or expanding laser therapy services in your veterinary practice? Get started on your buying quest with this comparison of some of the choices available.
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One in five veterinarians told us in 2013 they were looking to add or expand therapy laser services. As a service to those in the hunt for a therapy laser—or just starting to think about one—we contacted companies to get the latest information on specifications, features and warranties.
This shouldn't be your last stop before buying a therapy laser, but a first step in what will be an enlightening, educational trip to adding a new service to your veterinary practice.
Press the Next button below to view our survey of nine top laser therapy companies (or download as a PDF):
- Companion Therapy Laser by LiteCure
- Cutting Edge—OEM partnership
- Pegasus Therapy Laser by LiteCure
- K-Laser USA
- Erchonia Corp.
- Multi Radiance Medical
- Diowave Laser Systems/Technological Medical Advancements
- Respond Systems
- THOR Photomedicine
(Note: Grady Medical Systems chose not to participate.)
Laser therapy brand:
Companion Therapy Laser by LiteCure
Year founded
2006
Model(s)
Companion Therapy System "CTS," Companion Therapy Compact "CTC-15"/"CTC-12," Companion Therapy Laser "CTL-9" and Companion Therapy Laser "CTC-3"/"CTC-6"/"CTC-10"
Weight
4 to 17.4 lbs. (depending on model)
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
IV
Laser emission modes2:
Continuous, pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
0.25 to 15 watts (depending on model)
Wavelength(s)4:
980, 810, 650nm (CTL models do not have 810nm)
Type of laser delivery system:
10-foot fiber-optic cable within metal cladding and sheathed in rubber with handpiece and finger-switch remote control
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
2 deep-tissue, 2 superficial-treatment applicators
Surgery option available?
Yes
Basic price
$12,500 to $29,950 (depending on model)
Refurbished units for sale?
Yes
Training available and where?
In-clinic
Technical support available and where?
24/7 emergency line, toll-free customer support
Standard warranty length
3 years
Laser therapy brand:
Year founded
2001
Model(s)
MLS Therapy Laser
Weight
6.6 lbs.
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
IV
Laser emission modes2:
Continuous, frequenced continuous, superpulse, combined and synchronized MLS impulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
1.2 watts average
Wavelength(s)4:
650, 808, 905nm
Type of laser delivery system:
Focal optics
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
Small probe, large probe, acupuncture and intra-oral
Surgery option available?
No
Basic price
$16,995
Refurbished units for sale?
Yes
Training available and where?
On-site, online, webinars, advanced training
Technical support available and where?
Phone, HQ and on-site if needed
Standard warranty length
2 to 5 years
Laser therapy brand:
Pegasus Therapy Laser by LiteCure
Year founded
2006
Model(s)
Pegasus Therapy Compact "PTC-15"/"PTC-12" and Pegasus Therapy Laser "PTL-10"
Weight
7 to 12 lbs. (depending on model)
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
IV
Laser emission modes2:
Continuous, pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
0.25 to 15 watts (depending on model)
Wavelength(s)4:
980, 810, 650nm (PTL-10 does not have 810nm)
Type of laser delivery system:
10-foot fiber-optic cable within metal cladding and sheathed in rubber with handpiece and finger-switch remote control
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
2 deep-tissue, 2 superficial-treatment applicators
Surgery option available?
Yes
Basic price
$18,900 to $25,900 (depending on model)
Refurbished units for sale?
Yes
Training available and where?
In-clinic
Technical support available and where?
24/7 emergency line, toll-free customer support
Standard warranty length
3 years
Laser therapy brand:
Year founded
2002
Model(s)
CUBE 4, CUBE 3
Weight
3.2 lbs.
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
IV
Laser emission modes2:
Continuous, pulse, intense super pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
0.1 to 20 watts (CUBE 4); 0.1 to 15 watts (12-watt CUBE 3); 0.1 to 12 watts (8-watt CUBE 4)
Wavelength(s)4:
660, 800, 905, 970nm (CUBE 4); 660, 800, 970nm (CUBE 3)
Type of laser delivery system:
Solid-state diode module with fiber
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
Handpiece with quick-release technology, adjustable zoom handpiece for contact and noncontact therapy, optional ear/nose/throat tip. Optional surgical tip available (CUBE 4 only)
Surgery option available?
Yes, with CUBE 4
Basic price
$27,900 (CUBE 4); $24,900 (CUBE 3)
Refurbished units for sale?
Yes
Training available and where?
In-clinic, webinar and in Franklin, Tenn.
Technical support available and where?
24-hour turnaround phone
Standard warranty length
2 years
Laser therapy brand:
Year founded
1996
Model(s)
XLR8
Weight
1 lb.
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
III
Laser emission modes2:
Continuous, pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
7.5 milliwatts
Wavelength(s)4:
635nm
Type of laser delivery system:
Patented line-generated diode
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
Handheld
Surgery option available?
No
Basic price
$9,900
Refurbished units for sale?
Sometimes
Training available and where?
In-clinic, webinar
Technical support available and where?
London and United States
Standard warranty length
2 years
Laser therapy brand:
Year founded
2004
Model(s)
MR4 ACTIVet, MR4 with Laser Shower and Laser Stim, and TQ Solos
Weight
8.8 oz. (MR4 ACTIVet)
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
1M (on new laser classification system)
Laser emission modes2:
Super pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
25 to 50 watts
Wavelength(s)4:
905, 875, 640, 470nm
Type of laser delivery system:
Diode cluster
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
Acupuncture muscle trigger probes
Surgery option available?
No
Basic price
MRI ACTIVet $5,795, TQ Solo $1,995, consoles start at $6,495
Refurbished units for sale?
No
Training available and where?
Locations in United States, Canada, overseas
Technical support available and where?
Locations in United States, Canada, overseas
Standard warranty length
2 years
Laser therapy brand:
Diowave Laser Systems/Technological Medical Advancements
Year founded
2012
Model(s)
Diowave 10-Watt, 15-watt and 30-watt Laser Systems
Weight
8 lbs.
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
IV
Laser emission modes2:
Continuous, pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
1 to 10 watts
Wavelength(s)4:
980nm model, 808/810nm model, 810/980nm model
Type of laser delivery system:
Fiber
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
Multiple available
Surgery option available?
Yes
Basic price
$14,999 to $34,999 (depending on model)
Refurbished units for sale?
Sometimes
Training available and where?
In-clinic, online, email, various U.S. locations
Technical support available and where?
24/7 email, phone
Standard warranty length
3 years (cable/hand-piece: 1 year)
Laser therapy brand:
Year founded
1983
Model(s)
Luminex Ultra, Luminex Vet and 2400VS
Weight
5 to 13 lbs. (depending on model)
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
IV (Luminex Ultra); IIIb (Luminex Vet, 2400VS)
Laser emission modes2:
Continous, super pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
1 milliwatt to 5 watts (depending on model)
Wavelength(s)4:
808, 904 nm (670nm also in Luminex Ultra)
Type of laser delivery system:
Fiber and diode in probe (Luminex Ultra, Luminex Vet), diode (2400VS)
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
Small-profile probe with convex rounded tip, Advantage probe tip (Luminex Ultra); small-profile probe with convex rounded tip, Advantage probe tip, acupuncture probe (Luminex Vet); high-power probe, cluster probe, acupuncture tip (2400VS)
Surgery option available?
No
Basic price
$3,880 to $17,900 (depending on model)
Refurbished units for sale?
Yes, except for 2400VS
Training available and where?
In-clinic
Technical support available and where?
From regional managers and HQ
Standard warranty length
2 years
Laser therapy brand:
Year founded
1993
Model(s)
Large animal, Companion Animal and Feline/exotics
Weight
10 lbs.
Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV)1:
IIIb
Laser emission modes2:
Continuous, pulse
Minimum power/maximum power3:
10 milliwatts to 2 watts (depending on model)
Wavelength(s)4:
660, 810, 850nm
Type of laser delivery system:
Direct
Type of hand pieces, treatment probes, etc.
Cluster probe, single diode probe, ear/nose/throat probe, acupoint probe
Surgery option available?
No
Basic price
$8,642 to $13,262 (depending on model)
Refurbished units for sale?
Sometimes
Training available and where?
50 cities/year
Technical support available and where?
Online, phone
Standard warranty length
3-5 years
Key
1. Laser class (II, III, IIIb, IV):
The higher the classification, the greater level of average power, with the breakpoint of anything above 500milliwatts being a class IV. The classification generally refers to a laser’s ability to cause damage to eyesight or tissue, and the subsequent required safety considerations that must be employed with their use.
2. Laser emission modes:
Emission modes describe how the energy is being delivered: continuous, chopped (like quickly flicking a light switch) or super-pulse (like flicking that imaginary light switch even faster). Generally, the faster the pulse duration, the higher relative level of safe peak power may be delivered without tissue damage and or thermal response.
3. Minimum power/maximum power (watts):
Wattage may be loosely described as the number of photons arriving at the target tissue at the same time: the more watts on hand, the more photons arriving at the target simultaneously. Both high- and low-power units can deliver the same amount of total photons—high power just gets there faster.
4. Wavelength(s):
Wavelength measured in nanometers (nm) is the determining factor in penetrative capability. Wavelengths with minimal interaction with blood, melanin and H2O are ideal for therapy, as they induce minimal thermal response in the tissue and achieve maximum penetration. They are the most efficient and safest choices.
5. Type of laser delivery system:
Fiber-optic delivery generates energy in the main control unit and sends it through a fiber to the applicator. Control cable is a data link to the electronics and diodes in the applicator itself. Both approaches have strengths and weaknesses. These differences should be discussed with your laser therapy company representative.
Footnote information provided by:
Dr. Janet Van Dyke, DACVSMR, CCRT
Canine Rehabilitation Institute
Wellington, Fla.
