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Short Wave Diathermy

Shortwave diathermy uses electromagnetic waves to generate heat deep within tissues. It works by promoting vasodilation, increased enzymatic activity, and increased nerve conductivity, expediting healing. There are two methods - the condenser method uses capacitive pads to generate heat, while the inductive method uses a coiled cable. Shortwave diathermy is effective for musculoskeletal injuries and joint rehabilitation by increasing blood flow and cellular processes to speed healing.

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Mayakkannan A V
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424 views6 pages

Short Wave Diathermy

Shortwave diathermy uses electromagnetic waves to generate heat deep within tissues. It works by promoting vasodilation, increased enzymatic activity, and increased nerve conductivity, expediting healing. There are two methods - the condenser method uses capacitive pads to generate heat, while the inductive method uses a coiled cable. Shortwave diathermy is effective for musculoskeletal injuries and joint rehabilitation by increasing blood flow and cellular processes to speed healing.

Uploaded by

Mayakkannan A V
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY

DATE:
EX. NO:

AIM:

To study shortwave diathermy and to observe and analyze its heating effect.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:

Shortwave diathermy machine.
Tube light.
Capacitive Pads.
Measuring thread

THEORY:

The shortwave diathermy is a high frequency instrument, which usually has a frequency of 27.12
MHz and sets up radio waves with a wavelength of 11 meters. The intensity of the current can be
great enough to produce a direct heating effect on the tissue; similar to the heating effect of the current
on any other conductor and the term diathermy means ‘through heating’. It does not cause muscle
contraction or stimulate neurons.
The principle effect of the shortwave diathermy current on the body is the production of heat in the
tissues and the physiological effects result from the rise of temperature induces relaxation of muscles
and increases the efficiency of their action.
Shortwave diathermy generates greater heat for deeper tissues, promoting faster healing times. It
does so via promoting the following cellular processes.

• Vasodilation – blood vessels dilate, increasing blood flow and expediting the delivery
of nutrients and oxygen as well as increasing the removal of waste products

• Increased enzymatic activity – therapeutic heating increases the rate of enzyme activity,
increasing the rate of cellular reactions

• Increased nerve conductivity – heat increases the velocity of neural processes, leading
to reduced pain perception and reduced muscle spasms.

Shortwave Diathermy or electrically induced heating is used to relax and heal damaged
tissues. The AC electrical current inside the heating device creates an oscillating electromagnetic
field (EMF), which is absorbed by the tissues of the body, causing ions to move and creating
friction inside the body’s tissues. Friction generates gradual therapeutic heat (104-113°C),
leading to the cellular processes discussed above and faster healing times.
Shortwave diathermy has been shown to increase deep tissue temperature. Thus, deep tissue cells
are subjected to the therapeutic qualities of heat, as opposed to merely superficial tissue cells.
Shortwave diathermy is said to be particularly effective for the following patients:

• Patients with musculoskeletal injuries, particularly in the arms and legs.


• Patients undergoing joint rehabilitation due to joint injury, repair, or reconstruction.

There are two methods used in Short wave diathermy. They are:
Condenser/Capacitor Method:
The electrodes or pads or not in direct contact with the skin. Usually layers of towels are
interposed between the metal and the surface of the body. The pads are treated so that the portion
of the body to be treated is sandwiched between them. The pads form capacitor plates and the
body tissue between the plates act as a dielectric. Thus, the whole arrangement forms a capacitor.
When the RF current is applied to the pads the dielectric loss of the capacitor produces heat in
the intervening tissues.

Inductive Method:
A flexible cable is coiled around the arm or knee or any other portion of the patient's body where
pads or electrodes are inconvenient to use. When a RF current is passed through the cable deep
heating in the tissue results from the electrostatic heat set up between its ends and superficial
tissues are heated by eddy currents set up by the magnetic field around the cable. This is also
known as Inductothermy.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

Power Output:250 watts/500watts


Frequency:27.12 MHz
Wavelength:11 meters
Power Supply :230 v/50Hz

STANDARD ACCESSORIES:

One pair of pads with cable, belt and cover.


One mains cable
Pads(500W)
Sinus Disc(500W)

OPERATING FEATURES: 250 Watts.

MAINS SIGNAL LAMP: Red lamp indicates the presence of mains supply and the equipment is
ON.
ON/OFF SWITCH: A toggle switch is provided on front panel of the equipment either ‘ON’ or
‘OFF’ position. It must be ‘OFF’ position when the equipment is not in use.
MAINS SOCKET: Mains cable with 3 pin plug to be connected with it to give mains supply to
the equipment.
TIMER: Indicates treatment time in minutes.
POWER CONTROL: To regulate the intensity of current of power output.
TUNING CONTROL: To match the impedance of the equipment and patient’s body, to achieve
max-power output resonance point.

OPERATING FEATURES: -500 Watts.

ON/OFF SWITCH: Green lamp switch Indicates the equipment is ON or OFF.


TIMER SWITCH: For setting the Treatment Time, One for setting and another for starting.
TIMER DISPLAY: Indicates the Treatment Time. End of the treatment time automatically cut off
and sounds an alarm.
POWER CONTROL: To regulate the intensity of power output.
TUNING CONTROL: To match the impedance of the equipment and patient body, to achieve
max-power output resonance point.
OUTPUT SOCKET: Output socket is located at side panel separate sockets provided for P-cabs
and Disc outputs.
MAINS SOCKET: Mains Socket located at back side of the instrument.

PROCEDURE:

1. Connect the Mains cord to the equipment.


2. Make sure that ON/OFF Switch is in the ‘OFF’ position.
3. Turn Power Regulator to Minimum Position.
4. Connect the two cables of pads to the output terminals of the front panel of the equipment. Make
sure the pads are placed in the proper direction.
5. Put mains ON /OFF switch ‘ON’ position.
6. Turn time clockwise to the desire treatment time.
7. Turn power regulator clockwise till desired power output is selected.
8. Place the tube light close to the pad.
9. For the selected power, tune it for maximum reading on the meter to get maximum power output
(i.e.) until the tube light glows the brightest.
10. Slowly move the tube light farther away from the pads and notice the brightness level.
11. Adjust the tuning from time to time to get maximum brightness.
12. Note the distance between the pads and the light when the tube light completely switches off.
13. Note down the current at this position.
14. Repeat the same for varying power levels (1 through 5).
15. After the completion of operation, clean all the electrodes accessories and turn the power
regulator to its minimum position, and mains ON/ OFF
16. Switch to OFF position.
BASIC BLOCK DIAGRAM:

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

DEPTH OF PENETRATION:
OBSERVATION:
POWER (watts) DISTANCE (cm) AMMETER READING (mA)
1
2
3
4
5

MODEL GRAPH:
APPLICATIONS:

The Shortwave Diathermy has many applications including treatment of


• Bursitis, Capsulities, Osteoarthritis
• Myalgia,Rheumatism.
• Fractures, Osteomylitis, Injuries, Strains, Sprains and
• Dislocations,Neuritis,Fibistis
• Effective in Inflammation of Sholder Joint, Elbow Joint, Cervical Spondylosis
• Ligament Sprains in Knee Joints, Low Back Ache, Heel Pain, Sinusitis

PRECAUTIONS:

1. Care must be taken that the distance between the 2 electrodes is greater than the total width of the
spacing.
2. It is important that the distance between the electrodes is more than the total width of spacing;
otherwise the electric field will not pass through the tissues.
3. The 2 cables of pads should not cross each other during treatment.
4. Diathermy should not be applied to the abdomen or pelvis during pregnancy.

INFERENCE:

RESULT:

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