The ADU-10CF Field Unit and AA-75F Air Compressor by Aseptico are designed to be used together to provide the capability to perform general dental procedures under field conditions. The system is lightweight, compact, easy to transport, and takes only minutes to assemble. The unit and compressor are supplied in two military specification plastic cases (modules). The ADU-10CF Unit module measures 17.5 inches by 16 inches by 17 inches and weighs 30.5 pounds. The unit is supplied with two handpiece connections: one for a highspeed or sonic scaler and one for a slow speed handpiece. Only the high-speed connection is supplied with fiberoptics and water coolant. The unit also features a foot control with wet/dry toggle switch, air/water syringe, handpiece selector switch, air and water coolant adjustment knobs, and separate water system with handpiece flush. The air venturi suction is designed to provide both high- and low-volume evacuation. In order to provide optimum performance, operation of both high- and low-volume evacuation at the same time is not recommended. An auto-float shut-off device prevents overflow of the waste collection receptacle. The second module contains the 3/4 horsepower oil-less compressor with 1-gallon air storage tank. The compressor module measures 19 inches by 19 inches by 17.3 inches and weighs 90 pounds. The system is 115/230 volts 50/60 hertz switchable.
The ADU-10CF Field Unit is very lightweight and compact, its two cases weighing together only 120 pounds. It is easy to assemble and set-up is facilitated by the switchable dual-voltage air compressor. An automatic device in the waste collection system shuts off the unit to prevent overflow. The unit controls are easy to understand and use and the operating instructions are complete and easy to understand.
The air compressor exceeded allowable noise level of 75 decibels and all clinical evaluators complained about the noise. The oral evacuation system did not meet minimum performance standards as tested in the DIS laboratory and three of the four clinical evaluators felt the suction was inadequate for dental procedures. Evaluators also reported that handpiece hoses did not reach all areas of the oral cavity. Only one handpiece hose was equipped with fiberoptics and coolant water, and the fiberoptics were not operator adjustable. A separate outlet is needed in the treatment area to power the fiberoptics and the unit has no step-down transformer and 110/115-volt duplex outlet to power accessory equipment such as an amalgamator or curing light. Access to internal parts for adjustment or repair was difficult and the waste canister was difficult to clean, lacked a solids collector, and was easy to break. No service manual was available with the unit.
This review has been adapted from the DECS website. The DECS has no formal association with Dentalcompare or with vendors listed on dentalcompare.com. The DECS does not specifically endorse any particular product or vendor and is provided for informational purposes only.
