SURVEY of USE and PERFORMANCE of ULTRASONIC THERAPY EQUIPMENT in PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA
Harold F. Stewart, Gerald R. Harris, Bruce A. Herman, Ronald A. Robinson, Michael E. Haran, George R. McCall, George Carless, Dale Rees · 1973
This 1973 Florida survey helped establish early safety monitoring protocols for medical ultrasonic therapy equipment.
Plain English Summary
This 1973 government survey examined the use and performance of ultrasonic therapy equipment across medical facilities in Pinellas County, Florida. Researchers assessed how these devices were being used in clinical practice and whether they were operating within proper parameters. The study represents early efforts to understand medical ultrasound exposure patterns before comprehensive safety standards existed.
Why This Matters
This survey captures a pivotal moment in medical technology oversight. In 1973, ultrasonic therapy devices were becoming widespread in physical therapy and rehabilitation settings, yet regulatory frameworks were still developing. The reality is that medical professionals were using these devices daily without comprehensive understanding of optimal exposure parameters or potential risks. What this means for you is that this research helped establish the foundation for modern ultrasound safety protocols. While therapeutic ultrasound operates at different frequencies than consumer electronics, the principle remains the same: we need systematic monitoring of how electromagnetic technologies perform in real-world conditions, not just laboratory settings.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{survey_of_use_and_performance_of_ultrasonic_therapy_equipment_in_pinellas_county_g7024,
author = {Harold F. Stewart and Gerald R. Harris and Bruce A. Herman and Ronald A. Robinson and Michael E. Haran and George R. McCall and George Carless and Dale Rees},
title = {SURVEY of USE and PERFORMANCE of ULTRASONIC THERAPY EQUIPMENT in PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA},
year = {1973},
}