Here is the science behind our therapeutic technology!
BASIC ULTRASOUND INFO
Ultrasound emissions are sound waves with a frequency greater than 20 KHz.
Ultrasound waves are generated by applying an alternate current to a piezoelectric ceramic disc made of synthetic plumbium zirconium titanate (PZT), which is located inside the transducer hand piece. This piezoelectric ceramic disc contracts and expands at the same frequency at which current changes polarity.
As a consequence the ultrasound field generated by the piezoelectric ceramic disc makes the molecules in the sound field vibrate and oscillate.
As the energy within the ultrasound wave passes through biological tissues, it causes oscillation of the molecules. Clearly any increase in the molecular vibration within tissues can result in heat generation, so ultrasound can be used to generate thermal changes in biological tissues.
Furthermore the vibration of molecules generates also mechanical effects within biological tissues, which are generally considered to be non-thermal in nature. These effects include stable cavitation, acoustical streaming, microstreaming and mechanical vibration.
HIGH FREQUENCY ULTRASOUND (1 MHz – 3 MHz range) VS. LOW FREQUENCY ULTRASOUND (38 kHz – 50 kHz range)
Traditional therapeutic ultrasound devices available on the market operate between 1 MHz and 3 MHz (high frequency ultrasound devices).
EQ Pro Therapy generates low frequency ultrasound emissions, which are in the 38 kHz range.
Because of the substantial differences with high frequency ultrasound devices, we were able to patent the EQ Pro Therapy technology: Patent No. US9586062.
When comparing EQ Pro Therapy emission (38 kHz +/-2) to the one of traditional high frequency therapeutic ultrasounds (1-3MHz), these are the main differences:
- substantially more intense acoustic effects
- much deeper penetration.
ACOUSTIC EFFECTS
Low-frequency / longwave ultrasound (38 kHz – 50 kHz range) can produce very intense acoustic non-thermal effects (stable cavitation, acoustical streaming, microstreaming and mechanical vibration) even at low intensity outputs.
Ultrasound intensity is measured in watts per square centimeter (W/cm2) and describes how strong the power output is. The greater the intensity, the greater the thermal and acoustic effects generated by the ultrasound emission.
It is important to note that ultrasound emission of high frequency 1-3 MHz devices will affect just superficial tissues, unless the intensity of the applied ultrasound is significantly increased in terms of W/cm2, but this can lead to burns and “hot spots” that might cause severe tissue damage (necrosis).
DEPTH OF PENETRATION
Furthermore basic physical principles of ultrasound demonstrate that the lower the ultrasound frequency, the deeper the penetration (this is the same as in diagnostic ultrasound devices). This is mainly due to the fact that the higher the ultrasound frequency, the higher the absorption by superficial tissues.
Penetration is one of the biggest differences, since the effects of high frequency ultrasounds are much more superficial, being readily absorbed by superficial tissues.
It is known that 1MHz and 3MHz ultrasound emissions are absorbed at different rates by tissues and have superficial penetration depths. The penetration depth of longwave / low frequency ultrasound (38 – 50 kHz range), because of its lower absorption and attenuation by superficial tissues, is expected to be in excess of 20 times greater than 1MHz and 3MHz ultrasound.
It is suggested that due to its lower frequency (38 kHz +/-2) and therefore greater wavelength (longwave), EQ Pro Therapy emissions will penetrate further into the tissues and thus ‘reach’ deeper targets and have effects that traditional high frequency ultrasound is unable to achieve.
In conclusion EQ Pro Therapy low-frequency treatment modality is able to reach deep targets and to safely produce very intense acoustic effects, essential for an effective treatment of several equine musculoskeletal conditions. For example EQ Pro Therapy promotes the repair of deep tissue lesions, such as muscle injuries and tendon / ligament injuries. Experimental evidence indicates that ultrasound can increase the rate of protein synthesis by fibroblasts. The movement of ions such as calcium effects cellular activity, increasing the rate of phagocytosis and repair.
