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The Digital Dentist

Welcome to The Digital Dentist. This is the online blog for Dr. Lorne Lavine, the founder and president of Dental Technology Consultants. If you're thinking of adding to or upgrading your technology systems, then you're in the right place.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

Guarding the Line

There's little doubt that the improper care of digital x-ray sensor wires is the number one reason that they fail. Here's an innovative product called WireGuard, which protects the wire and prevents bending, crimping, etc. Considering the costs of sensors ($5000+), spending an extra $25 to protect the cables makes a lot of sense.

posted by Dr. Lorne Lavine @ 9:32:00 AM  

9 Comments:

  • At 5:57 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    And having a piece of hardware that your staff thinks they no longer need to handle with kid gloves may result in more damaged sensors. This is similar to the experiment showing that car drivers are more likely to drive closer to bicyclists with helmets than without helmets, due to the perception of safety.

    You just can't win.

     

  • At 7:00 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    The cable of sensors unfortunately lacks a swivel system. As a result of coiling, crimping etc, the wire within the cable WILL be damaged causing shorts in transmission. I know because I had to replace 3 out of 6 within a 5 years of purchase. Anything that will protect the wire within the cable is a WINNER.

     

  • At 4:55 PM, Anonymous Teresa Duncan said…

    But isn't it more the point of entry into the sensor that shows the most damage? It seems to be in my experience.

     

  • At 5:46 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Teresa,

    That seems to be true, in which case the only thing that would solve that is something rigid that would grip very tightly on the cable and wrap around the sensor itself. It makes you wonder why they didn't make them that way in the first place...

     

  • At 5:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Teresa, the point of entery is also very sensitive but most sensors have, what they claim, flexible junction that is supposed to forgive the back and forth tugging. Along the cable, however, if there is a loop that forms and is pulled it will immediately cuase a short and relates on the compouter screen as a blank/white image. This happens daily until permanent damage occurs. Nevermind the annoying tangling.

     

  • At 2:58 AM, Anonymous Teresa Duncan said…

    Ah - gotcha. We use holders on the walls to eliminate the loops but they do sometimes form just like you said. I just assume people undo the loop when they see it..but maybe I'm wrong for assuming!

    In our experience the rubber protecting the wire/sensor junction is just enough. But we built in the cost of lifecycle and repair so it hasn't been too bad. Thanks for the explanation!

     

  • At 1:11 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Teresa, also check this out. Shick digital sensor care directly from their website http://www.schicktech.com/uploads/downloads/SensorCareGuide.pdf

    "IMPROPER COILING OF A SENSOR’S CABLE IS THE MOST COMMON CAUSE OF
    SENSOR FAILURE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE
    FOLLOWED TO PREVENT CABLE DAMAGE:"

     

  • At 1:42 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    In SensorCareGuide there are at least six don'ts in regard to use cable. The cable is too slim for use in the frequent motion.

     

  • At 1:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    If the cable was thinner, it would entirely eliminate its functional value. Are these cables made up to American Standards or Specifications for Wires and Cables?

     

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