Ultrasound wattmeter - Knowledgebase

What is an Ultrasound Wattmeter?

An ultrasound wattmeter is an instrument that measures the output of therapeutic ultrasound units.

How is therapeutic ultrasound intensity measured?

One of the most popular methods used to measure ultrasound intensity (power) is the RFB (Radiation Force Balance) method. The sonic force emitted by the ultrasound transducer probe exerts a force proportional to the radiated sonic energy when intercepted by a target. The UPM 2000 consists of three major components: a precision load cell, a metal cone with a 45 degree angle and 3 inch base, and a water tank with a rubber liner for absorbing the reflected sound energy. The cone, immersed in degassed water, acts as the interceptor. The cone is mounted on a precision load cell for accurate measurement of the exerted force by the ultrasound waves. The measured force can then be computed into watts or grams.

Is UPM 2000 portable?

UPM 2000 is compact, light weight, and portable. It can be battery operated.

How may the calibration of UPM 2000 be checked?

The calibration of the UPM 2000 can be checked using the calibration weight standard given with the unit.

What standard accessories come with the UPM 2000?

Transducer Clamp: The clamp frees the operator from holding the transducer in the transducer well during testing.

Centering Rings: Rings used to help ensure that transducers are centered and aimed at the cone properly. This is important for accurate readings.

Power Transformer: An AC wall mounted transformer is provided for extended testing. The installation of this transformer will bypass the battery and allow the unit to stay powered on for extended use.

Calibration Check Weight: A 100 gram OMIL class M1 weight is included. This to be used to ensure the unit is operating properly and is in allowable calibration range.

Calibration Support Ring: This ring provides a platform for the 100 gram check weight when checking the unit's calibration and performance.

Carrying Bag: A soft bag used for safely transporting and storing the unit.

Shipping Container: This box contains specifically designed foam inserts to ensure safe shipment of the UPM 2000 power meter. Please save these for future shipment of the unit for service or calibration.

Why is degassed water used in ultrasound wattmeters instead of regular clean water?

Most ultrasound standards specify water as the test media, since water approximates soft body tissues and fluids in propagation velocity and can be readily distilled, filtered, or degassed. Removal of some of the oxygen�preferably around 5 ppm�is necessary for accurate measurements. Small air bubbles cause secondary reflections and attenuation of beam radiation force, which causes lower power readings.

Where can one get degassed water for the UPM 2000 Ultrasound Wattmeter?

Please refer to page 29 of the operator's manual for instructions on preparing degassed water.

The following information is gathered from various public domains and is presented for general information only.

What is Therapeutic Ultrasound?

Therapeutic Ultrasound is a method of stimulating tissue beneath the skin's surface using sound waves. It is a very high frequency massage that can penetrate up to 5" below the surface of your skin. The sound waves are of a very high frequency, typically between 800,000Hz and 2,000,000Hz. The sound can not be heard by humans or animals. Humans can only hear sounds up to about 20,000Hz. This very high frequency sound affects very small molecules though like medicines and cells in your body and actually causes them to move.

Frequency
How ultrasound energy is transferred into the body is a function of many factors. The frequency of the ultrasound waves is actually opposite to how deep they will penetrate the body. A 1MHz ultrasound will penetrate about 4" below the skin whereas a 2MHz ultrasound unit will only penetrate about 2". While a low frequency means deeper penetration, using too low a frequency will mean that the waves are too wide to properly move the molecules. The frequency also has a significant impact on the phonophoretic properties of the ultrasound. Face mate Ultrasound has dual frequency, 1MHZ for deep penetration, and 3MHZ for skin and mesoderm.

Intensity
Power output is another significant factor. It is measured in watts per square centimeter. The higher the power, the more energy is transferred into the body. If too high a power output is used and an ultrasound unit is left sitting still on the body, it is possible to burn the tissue beneath the skin. While several professional ultrasound machines are capable of these high powers, your medical practitioner will typically use a low power setting. More power is not necessarily better. Practitioners usually use a higher power to speed up treatment though it is actually more effective to use a lower power setting for a longer period of time. Your Facemate has 8 power levels, up to 15 minute timer for each function

What does Ultrasound do?
The heating and massaging effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound have 3 primary benefits:
� Ultrasound therapy increases blood flow in the treated area which speeds the healing process.
� Ultrasound Therapy reduces swelling and edema which are the main sources of pain.
� Ultrasound waves gently massage the muscles, tendons and/or ligaments in the treated area. This enhances the recovery rate of damaged tissue without adding strain, and softens any scar tissue that is usually present in an injured area. More...