ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES FOR THERAPY

These are: 1. UV-A: wavelengths between 400 nm and 315 nm

2. UV-B: wavelengths between 315 nm and 280 nm 3. UV-C: wavelengths between 280 nm and 100 nm.

 UV-C radiation is used to sterilize things when you don't want to boil them because UV-C, at sufficiently high intensities, destroys bacteria. It does this by damaging the bacterial DNA UV-B and A have an extremely low penetration depth, so most of the absorption of UV is by the skin

Ultraviolet radiation for therapeutic application is usually produced by current flow through mercury vapour. Mercury under reduced pressure is contained in a sealed envelope of quartz or special glass with an electrode inserted in each end

Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation

The effects of ultraviolet radiation are mainly nonthermal and due to cellular damage and protective responses:1. An increased blood supply to the skin results from dilation of the capillaries and arterioles 2. Production of vitamin D. Ultraviolet radiation in the range 250 to 300 nm initiates a sequence of chemical reactions by which vitamins of the D group are synthesized 3. Sterilization. Shorter wavelength ultraviolet radiation (UV-C, around 250 nm) is effective in destroying bacteria 4. Desquamation occurs some time after exposure to ultraviolet rays

Infrared radiation
1. Infrared radiation is produced (and absorbed) by all materials at temperatures above absolute zero 2. Absorption of infrared radiation results in changes in molecular and atomic motion of a material

The main effects of IR treatment

1. An increase in metabolic rate in the superficial tissues .As a result there will be an increased demand for oxygen and an increased output of waste products. 2. Dilatation of capillaries and arterioles due directly to the heating and also as a reflex reaction to the presence of increased concentrations of metabolites. 3. Sensory sedation. Mild heating has a 'sedatory' effect on sensory nerves and is thus useful for the relief of pain. 4. Muscle spasm relief. This results from both the effect of heat on nerve fibres and the direct effect of heat which is transferred to muscle from the superficial tissues

Penetration of radiation into skin in the infrared to ultraviolet region of the electromagnetic spectrum

Electrical Safety
Electrical shock :are macroshock and microshock Macroshock:current flows from the body surface, through the skin and into the body. Microshock:A very small current applied directly to the heart via this pathway can be fatal

Earthling of mains-powered apparatus casing.

The neutral wire is nominally at earth potential (zero volts) and the active wire is at a high potential. The active line connects through a power meter to a switch and fuse or to a circuit breaker

power outlets
power outlets have three terminals; an active, a neutral and an earth terminal. The earth terminal is connected to a wire which is physically connected to earth at the building

shock has occurred because the earth wire is damaged The fuse in the active line will not protect the person from receiving an electric shock (fuse rate)

ELECTRICAL SAFETY
happen the active wire must short-circuit to the earthed casing There are two commonly used ways - by using a core balance relay or a protected earth-free supply.

Core Balance Relays

currents flowing in the active and neutral wires are equal. When an electric shock occurs the current in the active wire will be slightly greater than that in the neutral wire. The currents in the wires are in opposite directions and when they are equal no current is induced in the sensing coil. If the currents are unequal a current proportional to the difference in active and neutral current is induced in the sensing coil. The induced current is amplified and used to operate a magnetic relay which disconnects both the active and neutral supply lines.

Earth Free Supplies

Earth Free Supplies

Isolation with earth leakage detection.

MICROSHOCK
Protection is afforded at two levels: 1. by using apparatus which meets appropriate safety standards and 2. by appropriate protection built into the mains supply

PATIENT TREATMENT AND ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Patient treatment areas in hospitals are distinguished according to the kind of procedures or treatment being used and different safety standards apply to the mains supply in each case.
Three types of treatment area are distinguished:-

3. Other patient areas

Apparatus which is not electrically connected to the patient

1. Cardiac protected electrical areas

areas which are suitable for carrying out procedures which involve direct electrical connection to the heart

2. Body protected electrical areas:-

which are suitable for carrying out procedures which do not involve direct electrical connection to the heart but which do involve the patient being in direct electrical contact with electromedical apparatus

When a piece of electromedical apparatus has a patient circuit then the patient circuit itself can be either class CF, BF or B. 1. class CF patient circuit is the most safe. If the leakage current to the patient circuit is normally below 10 A and below 50 A even when a fault condition exists 2. class BF patient circuit is macroshock protected. The normal leakage current is below 100 A and the current which can flow when the earth lead is broken is below 500 A 3. class B patient circuit affords a minimum level of macroshock protection

CF

BF

Flowchart for the safe application and use of electromedical equipment