Ultrasound_L4

Thermotherapy

A therapeutic technique that uses heat agents to treat various conditions.

Ultrasound

A therapeutic modality utilizing sound waves for treatment, with frequencies higher than human hearing.

Frequency

The number of cycles per second of a sound wave, controlling the depth of ultrasound penetration.

Duty Cycle

The ratio of 'on' time to the total time in ultrasound treatment, affecting thermal vs non-thermal effects.

Cavitation

The formation, shrinking, and expansion of gas bubbles in tissues due to ultrasound; can be stable (beneficial) or unstable (harmful).

Beam NonUniformity Ratio (BNR)

A measure of the quality of the ultrasound beam, indicating the ratio of maximum to average intensity.

Effective Radiating Area (ERA)

The area of the transducer that actually emits ultrasound energy.

Pulsed Ultrasound

Ultrasound delivered with interruptions in intensity, used to provide non-thermal effects.

Continuous Ultrasound

Ultrasound delivered at a constant intensity, primarily producing thermal effects.

Contraindications

Conditions under which a particular treatment should not be used, such as malignancy or pregnancy.

Absorption and Penetration

The relationship between how ultrasound energy is absorbed by tissues and how deeply it penetrates.

Transducer

A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical vibrations to produce ultrasound.

Thermal Effects of Ultrasound

Physiological impacts from ultrasound that include increased circulation and modulation of pain.

Non-thermal Effects of Ultrasound

Physiological impacts that enhance cell membrane permeability and promote tissue repair without heating.

Decibel Scale

A logarithmic scale used to compare the intensity of sound waves in ultrasound therapy.

Phonophoresis

The use of ultrasound for the transdermal delivery of medication.