Mike
Most of the N.Ireland hospitals are designed by architects in England. They
are always keen to recommend this "laser-proof" filter.  For the reasons you
have stated we have always refused to except them.
You mention the option of blinds - I think the possible problems of
infection control has already been discussed on the mailbase.




Ian Gillan

-----Original Message-----
From: British Medical Laser Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Bill Davies
Sent: 08 October 2002 13:20
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Laser-proof glass in theatre doors


Mike
I have not come across these "laser proof" panels but you are right to
be concerned about their use with visible lasers at the optical
densities quoted.
It appears that someone has dropped a clanger!!
The reply that these panels have been fitted elsewhere is quite
irrelevant unless details
of which laser they were specified for is also known.
Kind regards
Bill Davies

>>> [log in to unmask] 10/08/02 02:02pm >>>
Dear colleagues,

Is there anyone out there who has experience of the glazed
"laser-proof" vistomatic panels that are available for theater doors
(the yellow tinted glass windows with obscured strips with the
open/close lever). We are shortly moving to a new hospital building and
these panels have been installed in the theater doors rather than
blackout blinds over the traditional vistomatic panels. We will be using
several types of lasers in these theatres including KTP, Argon etc. and
my concern is that the protection level of these "laser-proof" windows
is rather low for the wavelengths in question (KTP OD=0.2 , Argon
OD=0.5) compared to what is required for the goggles with these lasers.
However, I am told that these panels have been fitted in many other
laser theatres across the country and so would be very interested to
hear what lasers others use with these panels.

Many thanks in advance

Mike Mayo
Princess Margaret Hospital
01793 426900
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