Device Description

The device is a portable, home use, battery operated, self-tuning, pulsed, athermal short-wave diathermy device.  The circuitry consists of low voltage (3 V) digital/analog electronics that control all timing functions to produce the therapeutic RF field, where the antenna field is placed directly above the therapeutic site.  The energy output is matched to the fixed frequency of the oscillator and the capacitive coupling between the antenna and the patient.  This capacitive coupling varies between patients and body location, and allows the unit to conform easily to the treatment area.  This closed loop system of the antenna, low energy signal generator circuit, and battery power supply, transfers the RF energy to the tissue efficiently and safely. A red light indicates that the product is functioning properly with feed-back diagnostics.

Like other pulsed electromagnetic therapy devices ActiPatch Therapy functions at a frequency in the 27.1 MHz ISM band. The electromagnetic field has the (vector) form of the “near-field” produced by a loop antenna. Long-range transmission (“far-field” effect) is rendered negligible by the small antenna size, compared with one wavelength. The near field induces electric current in human tissue, oscillating at such a high frequency that it cannot be “felt” by the nervous system. The high frequency also limits penetration by way of the “skin-effect”, resulting in a “skin depth” of approximately 10 cm.