Laser Equipment Operation & Care Flashcards
7 cards from real CLT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Laser Equipment Operation & Care flashcards as text
A therapeutic laser unit displays an 'overtemp' fault code mid-treatment. The CLT should FIRST:
Answer: Immediately cease treatment, allow the unit to cool, and inspect ventilation
An overtemperature fault indicates the laser has exceeded safe operating temperature; treatment must stop immediately and the cooling system must be assessed before reuse.
What is the significance of the laser's M² (M-squared) value?
Answer: It describes how closely the beam resembles an ideal Gaussian beam
M² is a beam quality factor; an M² of 1.0 represents a perfect Gaussian beam, and values above 1 indicate divergence from the ideal, affecting focusability.
Which action should be taken when a visible crack is found on the laser treatment handpiece housing?
Answer: Tag the device out of service and submit it for repair or replacement
A cracked handpiece housing compromises structural integrity and may expose internal optical or electrical components, necessitating immediate removal from service.
How does back-reflection from a highly reflective surface affect a laser diode?
Answer: It can damage or destabilize the diode by returning energy into the resonator
Back-reflected light re-entering the laser cavity can cause diode instability, mode hopping, or permanent damage by overloading the gain medium.
What is the function of a beam expander in some therapeutic laser delivery systems?
Answer: To reduce power density for large-area superficial treatments
A beam expander increases spot diameter, which reduces power density (irradiance), making it suitable for treating larger surface areas at lower fluence rates.
Which of the following best describes 'scanning' mode in a therapeutic laser system?
Answer: The laser continuously sweeps the beam across a treatment area automatically
Scanning mode uses a motorized mirror or galvanometer to automatically move the beam across a defined treatment area, ensuring uniform coverage.
When replacing a fiber optic delivery cable on a therapeutic laser, the technician must ensure:
Answer: The replacement fiber has identical numerical aperture and core diameter specifications
Mismatched numerical aperture or core diameter can cause excessive coupling losses, hot spots, or fiber damage, so exact specification matching is required.