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Over the years, we've discovered that there are many misconceptions about the repair of phaco handpieces and we'd like to clear up some of those myths for you today.
Our knowledge of phaco handpiece repair is based on nearly two decades of service; today our technicians refurbish close to 4,000 handpieces a year. We offer our expert repair services at a great value - just an example of the excellent workmanship and cost-reductions we provide through our commitment to "Quality and Savings for Everything Ophthalmic." In many cases, our phaco refurbishment service incorporates newer and improved OEM parts which will increase the longevity of your phaco handpieces. Because of this we are able to offer longer warranty periods compared to most major manufacturers.
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Myth #1: "The warranty of your phaco machine is considered void when the handpiece is sent in for repair to anyone but the original manufacturer. Handpieces can't be repaired, they should be exchanged for new."
Fact: This is a tactic used by many phaco handpiece manufacturers to dissuade customers from comparing prices to repair shops. Generally the cost of repairing a phaco handpiece is significantly less than the cost of doing an exchange.
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Myth #2: "A good shortcut for speeding up the cooling down period of recently autoclaved phaco handpieces is to immerse them in cold water."
Fact: Expediting the "cooling down" period can damage the crystals in the handpiece. Sterile handpieces should be given 15 - 20 minutes to cool at room temperature.
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Myth #3: "Phaco handpieces that are cared for properly never need repair or maintenance."
Fact: Proper handling and careful cleaning and sterilization can extend the life of the handpiece however, ALL phaco handpieces will break down after approximately 500 procedures for the following reasons:
- Cracked crystals
- Cord (wire) damage
- Connector damage
- Tip damage
- Jammed needles
- Clogged aspiration port
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Myth #4: "It is more cost-effective to just repair the portion of the handpiece that is damaged."
Fact: Complete refurbishment of the entire handpiece is the best repair option since many repair shops only fix what is wrong at the time they receive the instrument. Doing a complete refurbishment and changing out all the components with new parts minimizes the downtime of your handpiece and puts a fresh warranty on the entire unit for 6 - 12 months.
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Myth #5: "Phaco handpieces are named after Dr. Phaco who developed the technology of phaco emulsification."
Fact: Phaco emulsification was invented by Dr. Charles Kelman, M.D. The term phaco derives from the Greek word phakos, meaning lens.
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Myth #6: "The most common cause of phaco handpiece failure is normal wear and tear."
Fact: Sterilization is the primary cause of handpiece failure, even when performed correctly. The following is a list of the most common causes of handpiece failure:
- Sterilization - Exposing the handpiece repeatedly to heat and pressure causes the crystals to depolarize or causes cracks in the mold/seals which allows moisture to enter. It is important to follow the manufacturer's sterilization and cooling instructions.
- Rapid change in temperature - Expediting the cooling process or not allowing the handpiece to cool at least 15 minutes after being autoclaved can damage the crystals
- Mishandling - Dropping, pulling the rubber boot loose, misaligning the pins, cutting the cord and threading improperly are ways that handpieces are frequently misued.
- Neglecting to clean - Not cleaning the aspiration port or the debris that builds up on the connector will eventually cause the handpiece to fail.
Review How to Care for Your Phaco Handpieces
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Hopefully these answers have helped dispel some of the myths within the phaco handpiece repair industry. We hope that you will think of Ambler Surgical the next time you need honest and reliable information about repairing your phaco handpieces. Please don't hesitate to contact your Ambler Surgical representative if we can be of any assistance.
For more information about Ambler Surgical's Phaco Handpiece Repair Service, please click here. We offer credits toward instrument purchases on each phaco handpiece repair and resell OEM refurbished handpieces for all major brands.
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