High
Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation
Galvanic stimulation is most useful
in acute injuries associated with major tissue trauma with bleeding or swelling.
In contrast to TENS and IFC units, which apply alternating current, galvanic
stimulators apply direct current.
Direct current
creates an electrical field over the treated area that, theoretically, changes
blood flow. The positive pad behaves like ice, causing reduced circulation to
the area under the pad and reduction in swelling. The negative pad behaves like
heat, causing increased circulation, reportedly speeding healing. The Galvanic
Stimulator (direct current) is the best modality for iontophoresis treatments.
High-voltage pulsed
galvanic stimulation (HVPGS) is gaining widespread use for wound healing, edema
reduction and pain relief Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Diabetic Foot are two major
areas of use. Devices in this class are characterized by a unique twin- peak
monophasic waveform with very short pulse duration
(microseconds) and a therapeutic voltage greater than 100 volts. The combination
of very short pulse duration and high peak current, yet low total current per
second (Microcurrent) allows relatively comfortable
stimulation. Furthermore, this combination provides an efficient means of
exciting sensory, motor and pain-conducting nerve fibers. Perceptual
discrimination of those responses is relatively easy to achieve and thus its
clinical versatility. Back Ground Skin offers a great amount of resistance to
the flow of electrical current. When current is passed through a circuit that
contains resistors, voltage drop occurs and energy is lost. This phenomenon
occurs when traditional low voltage units are used in treatment A high voltage device produces a spontaneous breakdown in
skin resistance and HVPGS current passes through the skin with negligible
thermal and electrochemical effects. The first high voltage stimulator was
developed by Bell Telephone Laboratories in 1945. By decreasing the pulse
duration and increasing the voltage, the developers noted that deep tissues
could be stimulated without producing tissue damage. The first published report
(I 966) described its effectiveness in wound healing of animal limbs.
High-Voltage Pulsed Galvanic Stimulation
TECHNICAL
SPECS
-
Power: 9 volt battery
-
Output: Single Channel
- Output Voltage:
0-240V Max. (Single Channel, Load 500 Ohm) 0-350V Max.
(Open Circuit)
- Pulse Rate: 2-100
Hz
Waveform: Positive or negative wave
form.
- Output Mode: Synchronous or
Alternation. Alteration mode-LED alternates between green and red
color.
- Power: Green color LED-power on.
Red color LED-low
battery.
- Pulse Duration:
5µs.
- Tolerance: + or –
20%