Industry Insider is a continuing department that asks leading manufacturers to comment on industry trends. This month, Ken Coffey, president of Rich-Mar Corporation of Inola, Okla, addresses the current applications and latest breakthroughs in ultrasound technology.

PTP: Are there any recent breakthroughs in ultrasound technology?

COFFEY: Rich-Mar has been granted an FDA approval to market the AutoSound, a scanning ultrasound that moves the ultrasound beam across the tissue. It is held in place with straps. The hands-free approach still requires the attendance of the therapist, but it allows more to be done, including longer treatment times.

PTP: What are some common misconceptions about ultrasound?

COFFEY: One misconception is that it is simply used to elevate tissue temperatures to depths of more than 5 cm. Thermal mechanisms of ultrasound are very well-understood, but nonthermal mechanisms have demonstrated effective outcomes as well. These mechanisms might be attributed to cell wall permeability changes that could facilitate healing. 

PTP: Are there any commonly overlooked applications for ultrasound?

COFFEY: Ultrasound with the AutoSound can be used prior to other techniques for more effective outcomes.

PTP: Do you have any advice for PTs regarding their ultrasound equipment?

COFFEY: We recommend that the devices be calibrated annually, which fits nicely with FDA guidelines.

PTP: Are there any new advances in ultrasound technology that will soon hit the market?

COFFEY: One exciting application that we are watching is a noncontact Ultrasound Device that is used for chronic wounds offered by Celleration Inc of Eden Prairie, Minn. They have patented an exciting and extremely clever method of utilizing a saline mist to carry the ultrasound energy into the wound site. They recently received an approval to market their device.