Capenergy C 50 User Manual page 4

This chapter includes an overview of the CAPENERGY equipment family,
including its major components, controls, and technical specifications.
All personnel that will use this device or perform maintenance on it should read
this manual thoroughly before attempting to use any model of the
CAPENERGY equipment family: C 400, C 300, C 200, C 100, C 500 or C 50.
1.1. INTRODUCTION
CAPENERGY devices are diathermy machines that conduct radiofrequency currents
through contact electrodes for physiotherapeutic applications.
Radiofrequency diathermy occurs when a high frequency electric current circulates
through the human body. This type of high-frequency electrical stimulation produces no
muscle or nerve response: it generates a thermal effect depending on the density of the
circulating current. Thus, the device produces a controlled temperature rise in an area
causing hyperemia, which is one of the desired effects.
Since the 30s, radiofrequency diathermy has become a standard method of physical
therapy and it is being used in other areas of medicine and for surgical applications as
well.
Since the 80s, the offer of Resistive (Direct Coupling) and Capacitive Diathermy devices
has increased further on, with remarkable clinical satisfaction both for operators and
patients.
The RF current is coupled to the human body by means of an insulated or non-insulated
electrode –the active accessory–, which together with the body and the return electrode
–the passive plate– forms an electric circuit, which allows the passage of RF current
through the body areas situated between the two electrodes.
The number of available channels on the different models of the CAPENERGY product
range varies from one to four. When a model has several channels, these operate
independently. Each channel has a keyboard that lets you manage the parameters of
frequency and channel power. It also has two light columns that report the selected
power level and a qualitative indication of the power delivered by the channel.
Description of the device
Attention
User Manual
Page 4 of 95
Chapter 1