IBP Report originating from the Frauenhofer-Institute of Construction Physics Abridged version from IBP-Report BS 113/84 An examination of the principle of operation behind the sonic wave device SK1 and SK2 Prof. Dr.-Ing. H. V. Fuchs Dipl.-Phys. N. König M. Sc. S. Shaw PTA D. Völkel Vibration technological and thermal technological examinations carried out in the Frauenhofer-Institute of Construction Physics, Stuttgart Commissioned by NOVAFON Electro-medical Instruments, Ltd., Stuttgart
NOVAFON Ltd., produces an easy to handle device (Pic. 1) stimulating the audible vibrations in the human body. It is applied both in medical practices as well as in the home of patients affected by a variety of different and chronic complaints including: The treatment of muscles Correcting of one-sided strain Easing cramp Stimulating deep-tissue cells Improving blood circulation Raising tissue temperature Picture 1 There are numerous reports available from physicians and patients testifying to the pain-soothing effect resulting from treatment using sonic apparatus SK1 + SK 2. Next to elaborate diagnostic apparatus in medicine, today more than ever before particular significance is being appropriated to simple, direct diagnosis through auscultation, percussion and palpation. Thus, obviously even the natural, harmless effect of a vibrational stimulation of body parts within the physiologically significant audible range can play a role when treating certain complaints using low and midrange frequencies.
Clinical trials have been carried out elsewhere proving the effectiveness of the sonic wave apparatus. In this one, however, the aim was to assess the physical effects of the device in order to provide the user with a technical description of its functional principle. Along with the electro-mechanical stimulation mechanism, the vibrational and thermal readings taken on living and dead materials are at the fore. Although attempting to reveal something about the distance and depth effectiveness (measured at the point of stimulation), the physical approach does not permit conclusions regarding the therapeutic effectiveness of the sonic wave apparatus. When applying the apparatus, the tissue and bones of the corresponding part of the body are also set in motion. With the aid of the dial setting, an approximate harmonization of the resonating frequencies and of the correspondingly coupled mechanical system can be made to match the frequency of the electro-mechanical stimulation of the device. The maximum oscillating amplitude, and thus the highest achievable effect when using the device, is therefore not necessarily to be expected when the dial is set to its highest position. Rather, the trials have shown that with the dial set to middle resulted in the highest oscillating amplitude. Subsequently, the user can also make individual adaptations. Readings of the mechanically transmissible performance taken at the device s stimulating head. Together, the energy and tempo occurring at the stimulating head make up the mechanical performance transmitted into the tissue, and the vibrations are converted into warmth as they pass into the body. The graph depicted in Picture 2 shows the result of one reading with the plate-form head applied under the apparatus own weight to the test person s knee. This pressure was referred to as ideal by the majority of test persons.
input power frequency Picture 2 A noticeable temperature increase of tissue cannot be expected in the case of a transferred mechanical output measuring hardly 100 mw. Nevertheless, should there be a pleasant heat radiating from the contact area, as users do observe, then this is due to an added transfer of warmth via the vibration head, or, as is similarly reported, as a result of the improved circulation of the blood in the stimulated area.
Determining the vibrations in tissue In the previous section, there was a description of the sonic wave device s mode of operation as an instrument used to induce mechanical vibrations. The manufacturer and numerous users often emphasize that the soothing effect is clearly noticeable far beyond the actual area being stimulated. Below, there follows a description of the readings taken in the direct vicinity and in the surrounding area of the point of contact. The displacement of the skin s surface shows signs of easing within the first 10 cm of approximately 0.3 to 0.03 mm. The sonic wave device s range is however not documented sufficiently. Similarly, due to obvious reasons, the device s depth effectiveness on a living human body could not be determined under the given laboratory conditions. Consequently, a large proportion of the mechanical tests were performed on a large saddle of beef (Pic. 3). The graphic depiction of both the velocity level upon bone and the acoustic pressure level within the interior of the tissue physically confirms a characteristic of the sonic wave apparatus that is often expressed by users: The effect is often felt in regions of the body far away from point of actual stimulation! Picture 3
Stimulation Distance Picture 4 The findings clearly show that this depth effectiveness cannot only be achieved when stimulating the bone directly, but also when stimulating relatively soft tissue. When a bone situated in the vicinity of the point of stimulation or in the surrounding area is being stimulated (which is generally the case), then these vibrations are transmitted over long distances (Pic. 4) to surrounding tissue. Picture 5 also confirms that the transference of structure-borne sound within bone is of great significance for the depth effectiveness attributed to the NOVAFON-device. Bone Stimulation Picture 5 Depth
Determining the rise of temperature in tissue The infra-red pictures of the rise in temperature on the surface were taken at a unified basic temperature in order to be independent of the differing temperature conditions existing in the room. Picture 6 plots the differences between the surface temperatures over the distance from the vibrating plate for living tissue and the saddle of beef. The zone of increased temperature encompasses an area of a circular measuring up to approximately 6 cm in diameter. The device was removed from the camera s angle of vision for these readings. The increase in temperature is due predominantly to the transference of heat from the vibrating plate of the NOVAFON-device to the tissue. Living tissue (test person s surface of the skin) Dead tissue (saddle of beef) Distance from the centre of the vibrating plate