The reality of acoustic power emitted by therapeutic ultrasound equipment: a revision

Abstract

The safety and efficiency of ultrasonic therapy may be compromised if the outlet power on the tranducer differs considerably from the value indicated on the equipment panel. This fact may be seen in the various publications which approach the referenced theme, where various studies determine that over 50% of equipment in routine use in clinics and physiotherapy departments are out of the specifications recommended by the International Electrotechinical Commission (IEC). This occurs as a result of the non regulation of technical production standards, the wear of the equipment itself in use and by the non adoption of routine metrological procedures on the part of the physiotherapist. The precision of the acoustic intensity would enable a more efficient therapy, besides the reproduction of protocols already defined in literature. Another important factor to be pointed out is the material used for coupling the ultrasonic transducer, where of the various means utilized, some propiciate the atenuation of irradiated energy. This revision intends to update the professional therapeutic ultrasound user, as well as make him aware of the need for adopting metrological measures for the equipment in use as routine practice.