Microwave Diathermy Machine

Product Details

Microwave. Microwave diathermy uses microwaves to generate heat in the body. It can be used to evenly warm deep tissues without heating the skin. Since it can''t penetrate deep muscles, it''s best suited for areas that are closer to the skin, such as the shoulders.Microwave diathermy utilizes electromagnetic radio waves with frequencies of 915 and 2456 MHz. Based on the physical properties of these waves and the corresponding dimensions of the microwave antennae, microwave diathermy has two unique properties that can be used to clinical advantage. The first is that microwaves are selectively absorbed in tissues with high water content such as muscle. This makes microwave diathermy ideally suited to treat pathologic processes that occur in the muscles and adjacent fat. The second is that microwaves are more easily focused than the short waves used in short wave diathermy, decreasing energy leaking and thus making heating more efficient and circumscribed.Microwave diathermy also has several unique side effects of which the clinician must be aware. First, microwaves can cause cataract formation, so protective eyewear must be worn whenever microwave diathermy is used. Second, in addition to the precautions and contraindications to the use of short wave diathermy listed earlier, microwave diathermy has a selective affinity to heat water, so this technique should not be used in patients with edema, blisters, or hyperhidrosis because the sweat beads may become heated and cause burns to the skin.Microwaves are applied to the body by means of radiators that are connected to the magnetron. Radiators can be of different sizes depending on the kind and location of pathology. They are usually placed 5–10 cm from the skin surface. The microwave dosages are estimated in a similar way to shortwave diathermy (I, II, III, and IV). Another classification, based on watts, includes mild dosages (up to 20 W) and strong dosages (up to 150 W): the most often-used dosages are those between 20 and 100 W. Treatment duration, depending on indications, is 5–15 minutes. The usual course of treatments includes 10–15 sessions.Indications for microwave diathermy are generally similar to those for shortwave diathermy. A superficial penetration of microwaves should not constitute any limitation, because a reflexive mechanism seems to be a leading mode of action for both methods. Therefore this kind of therapy can still be widely used for, among other conditions, arthritis, back pains, neuralgias, and (using a special radiator) chronic adnexitis.Contraindications are the same as in the case of shortwave diathermy. It is also important to remember that microwaves can be harmful; eye lenses and the reproductive tissues of testicles and ovaries are especially at risk. Partial protection can be provided by screening the room in which the microwave diathermy is performed.