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Certain Experimental Observations on a Pulsed Diathermy Machine

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Albertus Wildervanck, M.D., Khalil G. Wakim, M.D., J. F. Herrick, Ph.D., Frank H. Krusen, M.D. · 1959

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Early research on pulsed RF diathermy laid groundwork for understanding how intermittent radiofrequency exposure affects biological systems.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

This 1959 study examined experimental observations on a pulsed diathermy machine, which uses high-frequency radio waves for medical heating treatments. The research investigated temperature effects and operational characteristics of pulsed short-wave diathermy equipment. This represents early scientific investigation into how pulsed RF energy behaves in medical applications.

Why This Matters

This research from 1959 offers valuable historical perspective on our understanding of pulsed radiofrequency energy effects. Medical diathermy machines operate at much higher power levels than consumer devices, typically delivering watts of RF energy directly to tissue for therapeutic heating. What makes this study particularly relevant today is its focus on pulsed RF signals rather than continuous wave transmission. Modern wireless devices including WiFi, Bluetooth, and cell phones all use pulsed RF transmission patterns, yet we're still uncovering how pulsed signals interact differently with biological systems compared to continuous exposure. The temperature studies mentioned in the keywords highlight a critical point: while thermal effects from high-power medical diathermy are well-established, the biological effects of lower-power pulsed RF from everyday devices remain an active area of research and debate.

Figures from the Original Paper

Diagrams extracted from the original research document.

diagramPage 2 - AI-described figure: Figure 1 depicts a side view of a drum electrode used in diapulse machine experiments.
p. 2 of the original PDF
graphPage 3 - Temperature changes produced in ground horse meat at different depths and distances from a short-wave field over a period of 20 minutes.
p. 3 of the original PDF
diagramPage 4 - Fig. 3 - Coagulation of egg white after exposure to intermittent short-wave current for different durations.
p. 4 of the original PDF
diagramPage 5 - AI-described figure: Fig. 3 - Coagulation of egg white in a yellow environment with red spots and thermal indicator patterns.
p. 5 of the original PDF
chartPage 6 - Fig. 4 - Comparative temperature changes in the thigh of the dog produced in different positions in the intermittent short-wave field at full output (6-6) and at a distance of 1 cm.
p. 6 of the original PDF
diagramPage 8 - AI-described figure: Figure 5 from Archives of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation showing milk diluted 15 times under a microscope before and after exposure to different types of electromagnetic fields.
p. 8 of the original PDF
diagramPage 9 - Fig. 6 - Heparinized blood diluted 100 times with 0.9 per cent saline solution as seen under the microscope, showing the distribution of erythrocytes before and after exposure to a continuous short-wave current.
p. 9 of the original PDF
diagramPage 10 - AI-described figure: Fig. 7 - a, b and c: Undiluted heparinized lymph at seen under the microscope showing the distribution of leukocytes before and after exposure to short-wave current.
p. 10 of the original PDF

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 27.12 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 27.12 MHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 20 minutes

Study Details

To determine temperatures produced in ground horse meat and dog thigh tissue by the diapulse machine, and to study pearl-chain formation phenomenon.

Temperature measurements were made using thermistors in ground horse meat (20x20x3.5 cm) and dog thi...

Significant temperature rises were observed in horse meat with high outputs (6-6) but not with lower...

The diapulse machine produces significant heating effects at high outputs, but not at low outputs. Pearl-chain formation occurs with both intermittent and continuous high-frequency currents, indicating it is not specific to pulsed treatment. The heating pattern is ring-shaped with inner diameter of 12 cm and outer diameter of 18 cm.

Cite This Study
Albertus Wildervanck, M.D., Khalil G. Wakim, M.D., J. F. Herrick, Ph.D., Frank H. Krusen, M.D. (1959). Certain Experimental Observations on a Pulsed Diathermy Machine.
Show BibTeX
@article{certain_experimental_observations_on_a_pulsed_diathermy_machine_g5610,
  author = {Albertus Wildervanck and M.D. and Khalil G. Wakim and M.D. and J. F. Herrick and Ph.D. and Frank H. Krusen and M.D.},
  title = {Certain Experimental Observations on a Pulsed Diathermy Machine},
  year = {1959},
  
  
}
No DOI on file for this study.

Quick Questions About This Study

Pulsed diathermy uses intermittent high-frequency radio waves to heat deep tissues for treating muscle pain, arthritis, and injuries. Unlike continuous diathermy, pulsed treatment allows tissue cooling between pulses while maintaining therapeutic benefits.
This early research studied pulsed RF signals similar to those used by WiFi, cell phones, and Bluetooth today. While medical diathermy uses much higher power, the pulsed transmission patterns share important characteristics with consumer wireless technology.
The study examined temperature changes from pulsed short-wave treatment, though specific measurements aren't available. Medical diathermy typically raises tissue temperature 3-5°C for therapeutic heating effects in targeted body areas.
Pulsed RF allows tissues to cool between energy bursts, potentially reducing thermal damage while maintaining therapeutic effects. Understanding pulse patterns helps optimize treatment effectiveness and minimize unwanted biological responses to radiofrequency exposure.
The research documented operational characteristics and effects of pulsed diathermy machines, including temperature studies and high-frequency current behavior. These observations helped establish scientific understanding of how pulsed RF energy interacts with biological systems.