GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DEVICE | PAGE 7 OF 47
For therapeutical application, these values are lower, especially the maximum pressure amplitude, which is about
15 MPa, pulse length is 10 to 20 µs, and frequency of the applied shockwave is 1 to 25Hz. The treatment is
generally carried out without local anaesthetic and lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. During the first week after the
treatment, the client should avoid all activities that could excessively strain the treated area.
1.3 SHOCKWAVE GENERATION
Several types of generators were developed for the shockwave therapy, providing shockwaves with varied
characteristics. Shockwaves in their time span and spatial arrangement carry the imprint of the generation
method.
The BTL 5000 SWT uses the ballistic principle of the shockwave generation.
1.3.1 BALLISTIC PRINCIPLE OF THE SHOCKWAVE GENERATION
A pressure wave is formed via a projectile by accelerated compressed air, which is generated by an electronically
controlled ballistic-pressure compressor. Using elastic impact, the kinetic energy of the projectile is transferred
into a probe of the applicator and into the client's body via this probe. Consequently, during the treatment, the end
of the applicator must be in immediate contact with the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
1.4 BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF THE SHOCKWAVE
The shockwave effects mainly occur at sites, where there is a change in impedance, such as the bone-soft tissue
interface.
There is an improvement of regeneration and repair of tissues in the following areas and achievement of the
following effects:
• cellular effect – increase in transmittance of a cell membrane (improvement of ionic channels activity),
stimulation of cell division, stimulation of cellular cytokines production,
• reproduction of vessels in the area of tendons and muscles, improvement of blood circulation and MTB-
increase in concentration of growth factor beta 1 – chemotactic and mitogenic effect on osteoblasts,
• effect on nitrogen oxide system (bone healing and re-modelling),
• improvement of micro - circulation and metabolism,
• dissolution of calcic fibroblasts,
• support of collagen production,
• reduction of tissue tension,
• analgetic effect:
− destruction of afferent nerves and nerve receptors,
− CNS stimulants, sensed as pain; are also inflammation transmitter substances,
− regression of pain caused by local ischemia,
− gate control theory of pain.
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