Sonicator 740 Instruction Manual— Rev.G_06/28/12
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Section 5—Indications, Contraindications
and Precautions
5.1 Indications
Ultrasound delivered to the body using an efficient couplant provides deep heating effects to body tissues.
Ultrasound delivered at a frequency of 1 MHz penetrates to a depth of approximately 5 centimeters while
ultrasound at a frequency of 3.3 or 3.2 MHz penetrates tissue to a depth of approximately 1–2 cm.
When therapeutic ultrasound is delivered to the body at intensities capable of generating a deep tissue
temperature increase, some or all of the following effects may occur:
1. Pain
relief
2. Reduction of muscle spasm
3. Localized increase in blood flow
4. Increase range of motion of contracted joints using heat and stretch techniques.
5.2 Contraindications
1. Therapeutic ultrasound should not be applied over the pregnant or potentially pregnant uterus.
Therefore, therapeutic ultrasound should not be applied over the uterus unless specific assurance can be
attained from the patient that she is not pregnant.
2. Patients who have cardiac pacemakers should be protected from direct ultrasound exposure over the
thorax to protect the lead wires and pacer from such exposure.
3. Therapeutic ultrasound should not be applied to the eye.
4. Applications of therapeutic intensities of ultrasound should be avoided over the heart.
5. Neoplastic tissues or space occupying lesions should not be exposed to ultrasound.
6. Ultrasound should not be applied to the testes to avoid increases in temperature.
7. Areas of thrombophlebitis should not be treated with therapeutic ultrasound due to the increased
possibility of clotting or dislodging a thrombus. Conditions where this might occur are deep vein
thrombosis, emboli and severe atherosclerosis.
8. Tissues previously treated by deep x–ray or other radiation should not be exposed to therapeutic
ultrasound.
9. Ultrasonic treatment over the stellate ganglion, the spinal cord after laminectomy, subcutaneous major
nerves and the cranium should be avoided.
10. Do not treat ischemic tissues in individuals with vascular disease where the blood supply would be
unable to follow the increase in metabolic demand and tissue necrosis might result.
11. Ultrasound should not be applied over the bone growth centers until bone growth is complete.
