Electrotherapeutic Devices: Principles, Design, and Applications

George D. O’Clock9781596930773, 1596930772

Here is the first scientifically rigorous yet accessible book on electrotherapeutic devices that combines essential technical, biological, legal, and clinical background with hands-on guidelines for designing highly effective electrotherapeutic devices and treatment protocols. Rooted in accepted physics, chemistry, biology, and electrical engineering principles, this definitive one-stop resource introduces electrotherapeutic fundamentals and discusses the electrical properties of cells, tissues, and organs and how they respond to electrotherapy. It explains how these mechanisms of action impact device design and provides computer simulations useful in developing device output characteristics and predicting device performance. The book addresses all considerations involved in the design and analysis of devices and protocols, including: Waveform design; Frequency selection; Maximum and minimum current output; Patient tissue impedance considerations; Probe and electrode design; Treatment protocols; Reliability, consistency, safety, and cost.This unique reference provides heads-up knowledge of clinical trial considerations and constraints, and of legal issues that can add significant costs to device development. The book also brings practitioners up to speed on the latest electrotherapy trends and developments in visual disease, wound and fracture healing, cancer, neurological disorders, and connective tissue disease and reviews the growing body of clinical results that demonstrate its effectiveness.