20
DUODYNATOR
®
1049
gbo
Medizintechnik
AG 2008
Version 1.3
4 Intensity monitoring
During the development of the
DUODYNATOR
®
1049
we have endeavored not only to offer you a current
stimulation device of a new generation with regard to its efficiency and operability, but also to set new
standards with regard to the patient’s safety.
Intensity increase at open circuits
, i.e. no patient is connected to the device:
If the initial voltage is increased at open circuit and no current is measured, the channel will be switched off
for the patient’s safety. An acoustic signal is given and a message will be displayed:
Check that the
electrodes of
channel ... have
good contact.
!!
Note!
If this message is displayed, you should check the contact of the electrodes and the cables, resp., prior
to setting the intensity anew.
Abrupt resistance modifications
in the electrode application can cause problems:
1. Two electrodes touch each other and form a shunt when adjusted upward. If the patient moves during
the therapy, that shunt can open and the patient becomes exposed to an unintended high intensity of
current.
2. The electrodes are shorted-out by a conductive foreign substance. This could be a metallic spectacle
frame in case of tinnitus treatment . If during the treatment that shunt is removed (e.g. by taking off the
glasses) this abrupt resistance modification also leads to a severe modification of the intensity of
current.
3. It is especially in case of frequently used adhesive electrodes that a weak and therefore highly resistive
bonding is caused. If the desired intensity of current is adjusted in this condition and the electrode is
pressed closer during the treatment, e.g. if the patient turns round and lies on the electrode, this can also
lead to a severe increase of the intensity of current.
4. Please observe by all means the notice on the electrode position (see chapter 6.1 Electrode Positioning).
We at
gbo
AG have integrated a special intensity monitoring routine in the device software in order to get
these application problems under control. This safety switching avoids an unintended high modification of
the intensity of current and switches off the respective channel in such a case. On the display a note for the
respective channel is shown (in that example: channel 3):
Check that the
electrodes of
channel 3 have
good contact.
In that case the therapist can correct the electrode position and start the therapy again.
