Ultrasound Therapy Machines

Therapeutic ultrasound passes high frequency sound waves into soft tissue to produce thermal and mechanical effects. It is used in physiotherapy for neuro-muscular and musculoskeletal conditions - mobilising collagen tissue, reducing oedema and relieving pain. Treatment is applied through a coupling gel, without which the sound will not enter the tissue at all.

Frequency decides penetration depth. 1 MHz penetrates deeper and suits treatment of bulkier tissue such as the thigh, lumbar region and shoulder. 3 MHz is absorbed more superficially and suits tissue close to the surface - the hand, foot, elbow and areas over bone. Our LCS-121 and LCS-122DX are 1 MHz units; dual frequency options are shown on the model pages.

Continuous output delivers sound without interruption and produces a thermal effect. Pulsed output delivers it in bursts, so heat dissipates between pulses and the mechanical effect dominates. Our units provide both, with selectable pulse ratios of 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:8, 1:12 and 1:16, and intensity up to 2 W/cm2 continuous or 3 W/cm2 pulsed.

Probe face area decides how much of the body is covered in a pass and how concentrated the delivery is. A regular head suits broad areas such as the shoulder, lumbar region and thigh. A pointed head concentrates delivery into a small zone and is used around the hand, wrist, foot, ankle and small joints, and close to bony landmarks where a large face cannot make even contact.

Ultrasound will not cross an air gap. Coupling gel excludes air between the probe face and the skin so the energy enters the tissue. Too little gel, or gel that has dried during a long session, means the machine reads as delivering while the patient receives considerably less than the setting suggests.

Yes. Probes are matched to the generation of the unit, so quote your model and serial number with the enquiry - and a photograph of the existing probe and its connector if you have one - and we will confirm the correct head before quoting.