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In vitro study of Tecar currents
This article explores the effects of TECAR radiofrequency on intra- and extracellular exchanges in skin and muscle tissue. Using experimental models and ultrasound imaging, it analyzes the impact of different currents (resistive, capacitive, Hi-EMS, and Hi-TENS) on cellular metabolism, pain management and muscle strengthening.
The results show how these currents interact with tissues. These data enable us to optimize personalized treatments, opening up prospects for advanced clinical applications.
Summary
The latest generation of Winback devices (Back3TX and Back4) have the special feature of being able to work in multi-frequency mode. In fact, these devices are capable of generating 3 currents of different frequencies at the same time.
Currents presentation
dry needling, dry needling, dry needling, dry needling, dry needling, dry needling, dry needling, dry needling, dry needling,
THE TECAR CURRENT
High-frequency TECAR current (between 300 kHz and 1 MHz) increases intra- and extra-cellular exchanges, but also provides analgesia through saturation of synaptic relays and creates diathermy in the tissues crossed by this current.
THE Hi-EMS CURRENT
Hi-EMS current is a medium-frequency current (between 1.5 kHz and 4 kHz) with low-frequency pulse trains (between 1.5 Hz and 100 Hz). The advantage of medium-frequency current is that muscle recruitment is pain-free and therefore more intense than standard low-frequency EMS currents alone.
Hi-TENS CURRENT
HiTENS is a high-frequency current (0.3MHz) pulsed at low frequencies (2, 5 and 25Hz), providing a powerful analgesic effect through saturation of the nociceptors and regular muscle twitches (isolated contractions) corresponding to the pulse frequency.
Context
The collaborative project between the Laboratoire d’Imagerie Biomédicale (LIB) UMR 7371 on Sorbonne University’s Cordeliers Campus and WINBACK aimed to evaluate and explore new ultrasound imaging techniques for characterizing the different layers of skin and muscle.
To achieve this, the BACK4 device was used on phantoms mimicking the dielectric characteristics of skin and muscle. In fact, the phantoms correspond to a NaCl agar agar gel in order to obtain bio-impedance properties equivalent to muscle tissue. A research ultrasound device from the Laboratory was also used for experimental signal acquisition.
CET phantom
RET phantom
Experiences on the CET
1. Influence of CET intensity on heat capacity
OBJECTIVES
In this 1st experiment, we compared the effect of the capacitive mode (CET) as a function of intensity. We compared intensities of 40% and 80% for the Soft mode (500 kHz).
Phantom video - CET intensity
RESULTS
We observe a greater temperature amplitude at 80%, meaning faster and greater heating with greater intensity.
2. Influence of CET frequency on depth action
In order to evaluate the capacitive mode (CET) as a function of depth, a second experiment was carried out. The ultrasound probe was placed at the top of the phantom to observe changes between 0 and 3cm depth, then in the middle of the phantom to observe changes between 3 and 6cm depth. The intensity used was as follows: CET 80%.
Comparison :
- 1 – High sensor position: CET Soft vs CET Deep –
- 2 – Middle probe position: CET Soft vs CET Deep
- 3 – CET Soft: top position vs. middle position
- 4 – CET Deep: top position vs. middle position
CET Deep vs Soft probe high position, heat is more intense in Soft mode (500kHz) on “surface”.
CET Deep vs Soft probe low position, heat is more intense in Deep mode (300kHz) in “depth”.
The results showed that in Soft mode (500 kHz), the temperature amplitude is greatest at the surface (between 0 and 3 cm) and its effect diminishes as depth increases. In contrast to the amplitude evolution in Soft mode, the results show that in Deep mode (300 kHz), the effect is greater as depth increases (between 3 and 6 cm).
Experience on RET
OBJECTIVES
The RET experiment involved comparing the effect of the RET resistive mode as a function of tissue resistivity.
In this experiment, the effect of the resistive mode (RET) was tested on a phantom containing a bone at its center and a phantom without a bone. The parameters used were as follows: RET 90% + Hi-TENS 25Hz.
Phantom bone RET
RESULTS
The results showed a localized increase in temperature at bone level, as bone tissue is resistive. We also found that after 5 minutes of heating, the amplitude (temperature evaluation) at bone level was almost 7 times greater than that on the boneless phantom.
Conclusion
These experiments have enabled us to characterize the effects of currents on skin and muscle tissue. We have validated the principle of TECAR therapy:
– The action of the resistive mode is greater in more resistive environments.
– The action of the capacitive mode at 500kHz is greater at the surface, whereas at 300kHz, the action is greater at depth.
– The time required to achieve stationary heating is less for Deep mode than for Soft mode.
Ultimately, the aim will be to verify the effects in vivo. As the human body is a highly complex system, made up of numerous tissues with different properties and physiological functions, more in-depth studies will be required. Finally, thermal deformation imaging combined with radiofrequency has great potential for detecting diseases affecting the electrical permittivity of tissues. One potential clinical application would be to localize an abnormal accumulation of fatty tissue in relation to a more water-rich region.
Result phantom image bone RET
Result video phantom bone RET
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