Intelect® RPW
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DESCRIPTION OF FUNCTIONS
Pressure waves with different features are used in modern medicine today. Pressure waves are usually generated by the collision of solid
bodies with an impact speed of a few metres per second (approx. 5 – 20 m/s), far below the sound velocity. First, a projectile is accelerated,
(e.g. with compressed air using an air gun), to a speed of several meters per second and then abruptly slowed down by hitting an impact
body. The elastically suspended impact body is brought into immediate contact with the surface of the patient above the area to be
treated, preferably using coupling gel. When the projectile strikes the impact body, part of its kinetic energy is transferred to the impact
body, which also makes a translational movement over a short distance (typically < 1 mm) at a speed of around one meter per second
(typically < 1 m/s) until the coupled tissue or the applicator decelerates the movement of the impact body.
The motion of the impact body is transferred to the tissue at the point of contact, from where it propagates divergently as a radial pressure
wave.
Pressure waves as described here emanate from the application point of the impact body and travel radially into the adjacent tissue. The
energy density of the induced pressure wave quickly drops with increasing distance from the application point (by a proportion of 1/r²), so
that the strongest effect is at the application point of the applicator.
It appears that the principle of action is so universal that a multitude of very different indications respond positively to shock wave therapy.
In order to study the mechanisms of action, the shock waves used must be precisely characterized using the parameters described in
the text. This is the only way to determine dosage/effect relationships and to obtain sound knowledge about the mechanism of action.
However, the fact that focused shock waves and unfocused pressure waves, which have clear physical differences, show similar effects,
especially in the stimulation of healing processes, suggests that both forms of energy do not exert a direct mechanical effect but rather
have an impact on the senso-motoric reflex behavior. It seems that a reorganization of pathological reflex patterns that are anchored
in memory due to the stimulating effect of shock and pressure waves cannot be ruled out. This would open up a previously unknown
potential for further therapeutic areas of application.
Intelect RPW units are therefore used for a wide range of applications in hospitals and in private practices by doctors and physiotherapists.
