The Benefits of Long Duration Ultrasound
Journal Title: Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research (BJSTR) - Year 2019, Vol 18, Issue 4
Abstract
Emerging clinical evidence demonstrates that ultrasound dose timing (i.e. daily treatment) and duration significantly impact benefits and treatment results. Therapeutic wearable ultrasound for multi-hour therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for many musculoskeletal injuries by increasing circulation, oxygen and nutrient deliver, removal of cellular waste products, and collagen matrix repair. Wearable Long Duration Ultrasound (LDUS) devices have been developed that allow for daily ultrasound therapy for up to four hours per day. One LDUS device is the SAM® SPORT (which stands for “sustained acoustic medicine”. It is capable of delivering daily ultrasound therapy, at home or in the office, for up to 4 hours. This device is self-administered, wearable and allows the patients to utilize daily extended ultrasound therapy outside of a medical facility. Clinical research has demonstrated that LDUS can be effective in several therapeutic areas including tendinopathy, fracture healing, skeletal muscle recovery and reduction in chronic pain and osteoarthritis.LDUS is made possible by advances in microelectronics that enable miniaturization of ultrasound applicators and power controllers. There are four major components to the ultrasound system: the generator, the crystal, the soundhead, and the applicator. LDUS devices contain all four standard ultrasound components repackaged into smaller units (about the size or your cell phone, or portable TENS unit) with simple application procedures, allowing for patients to use the device during both normal daily activity and during physical therapy.The power controller is comprised of rechargeable batteries (typically Lithium-ion), timing and control circuitry and is easily attached to a belt or armband for portable use. Controls are typically located on the controller housing unit, allowing the user to power on/off and set the treatment duration to their prescribed dosage time and in some cases, keep track of device use and treatment history.Applicator: The applicator contains the crystal, soundhead, and electronics that operate the transducer. SAM SPORT’s transducer is composed of a crystal in a silver-plated Piezocrystal of Lead-ZirconateTitanate (PZT-4) that is air backed and uses a 5° divergent lens to channel ultrasound into tissue. Ultrasonic waves are emitted from the piezocrystal transducer at a frequency of 3 MHz through a 5.0 cm2 soundhead. These unique features allow SAM SPORT to have an ERA rating of 6.0 cm2, surpassing the surface area of the applicator’s soundhead. Two applicators (ERA of 12.0 cm2) can be used simultaneously, each delivering 0.132 W/cm2 for the entire 4-hour treatment session, delivering 18,720 J of energy deposition into the treatment area. Fixation System: LDUS typically uses an ultrasound coupling system to safely secure the applicator to the treatment area. SAM SPORT’s coupling bandage contains the manufacturer recommended ultrasound gel agent for maximum potentiation of acoustic energy into tissue. Appropriate application of the coupling bandage is extremely important to accurately and efficiently transmit ultrasonic waves to the tissue of interest.
Authors and Affiliations
David O Draper
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP621879
- DOI 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.18.003177
- Views 156
- Downloads 0
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