Thork

The Thork Shock Wave is a device microcontrolled by extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT – Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy). The mechanical cavitational and thermal energy produced by the Thork Shock Wave is transferred to the patient through a radial shock wave applicator.

It has a maximum energy of 200mJ, and the shockwave emission mode can be single or sequential, with frequency adjustment up to 22Hz and the number of shots can be previously adjusted up to 9999 or free mode (Free).

The equipment comes with 3 projectiles, one in the applicator and 2 spares. Each projectile has a durability of 3 million shots. After 9 million, that is, after using 3 projectiles, it is necessary to send the applicator for review and maintenance.

Thork Shock Wave can be used with tips of different sizes and materials for different therapeutic applications. It features ergonomic applicator, distinctive design, touchscreen and informative tutorial. It is effective, safe, accurate and easy to operate equipment.

The equipment should only be used under the prescription and supervision of a licensed professional.

ESWT (extracorporeal shock wave therapy) began to be used in the early 1980s, in extracorporeal lithotripsy, a medical technique that aims to treat gallstones, kidney and gallbladder. After the observation of the increase in bone density in the pelvis of patients treated with ESWT for kidney stones and, also, studies demonstrating the effectiveness of the therapy in osteogenesis and in the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases, ESWT started to be used also in orthopedics, with the first approval in the year 2000 for the treatment of chronic plantar fasciitis by the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) in the United States of America. Today, ESWT is consolidated in orthopedics, with satisfactory results in several musculoskeletal pathologies, being indicated as a safe therapy, with short recovery time and minimal complications.

As in orthopedics, the discovery of the effects of shock waves on aesthetics came about coincidentally when women with muscle disorders, after the placement of hip prostheses, reported improvement in mobility and pain, in the appearance of the skin and an additional effect that clothes became more comfortable and looser. This phenomenon suggests that there was a decrease in the circumference of the treated area.

In aesthetics, the first studies appeared in 2005. To date, there are about eleven relevant scientific articles in the literature, which demonstrate the effectiveness of shock waves in improving the appearance and appearance of the skin, in addition to reducing the circumference of the treated area and decrease in the thickness of the adipose layer when used in the treatment of gynoid lipodystrophy (cellulitis).

In Brazil, there are several imported shock wave equipment available for health and aesthetic professionals, however the Thork Shock Wave is manufactured exclusively in Brazil, developed and manufactured by IBRAMED.

Unlike the shock wave equipment on the international market, which is usually pneumatic and has several applicators, this one has an electromagnetic generator. That is, inside the applicator, there are coils that, when excited by the electric current, generate a magnetic field, which causes the projectile located inside the applicator to move quickly, generating an impact on the tip and propagating mechanical energy in the place of treatment.

This energy wave produces two effects, the first being the mechanical impact on the tissues and the second being cavitation, which is the formation of gaseous microbubbles in biological liquids. The Thork Shock Wave features a radial applicator that consists of spreading energy in a diffused way.

These energy waves are converted into shots and for each therapeutic objective, there is a number of shots to be programmed into the equipment. In trauma-orthopedics, the number is already pre-established for about 2,000 punctual shots, but in the case of unsightly changes, there is no specific number, and most scientific articles cite from 1,000 to 5,000 shots, depending on the area of treatment with the applicator in slow motion.

The Thork ShockWave has an electromagnetic generator, that is, inside the applicator there are coils that when excited by the electric current generate a magnetic field, this causes the projectile located inside the applicator to move quickly generating impact on the tip and propagating mechanical energy. at the treatment site. This energy wave produces two effects, the first being the mechanical impact on the tissues and the second being cavitation, which is the formation of gaseous microbubbles in biological liquids. Thork ShockWave features a radial applicator that consists of diffusely propagating energy. These energy waves are converted into shots and for each therapeutic objective there is a number of shots to be programmed into the equipment. In the area of ​​trauma-orthopedics, the number of shots is usually in the range of 2 thousand punctual shots, but for unsightly alterations there is no specific number, and most scientific articles cite from 1 to 5 thousand shots, depending on the area. of treatment with the applicator in slow motion.

Shockwave therapy promotes the following physiological effects:

• Mechanotransduction of the signal: is the process by which mechanoreceptor cells and parenchyma convert mechanical stimuli (shock waves) into a chemical response, activating fibroblasts and increasing the density of collagen and elastin fibers , due to the production of neocollagen and neoelastin;
• Collagen remodeling: mechanical stress drives mechanotransduction, stimulating the remodeling of collagen fibers and fibroblasts. The traction of the collagen fibers of the skin incites the rearrangement, through the movement of the applicator, and improves the malleability of the collagen;
• Stimulation of microcirculation: increased circulation reduces the concentration of vasoneuroactive substances such as bradykinin, prostaglandin, serotonin and histamine, which also reduces the excitation of nociceptors and pain. It also increases the active transport of oxygen and nutrients to the tissue;
• Release of Nitric Oxide: Nitric oxide is an important vasodilator formed in the neurons of the posterior horn of the spinal cord, which promotes an inhibitory effect on the afferent nerve pathways of pain, causing pain modulation and of vasodilation to increase blood circulation;
• Elimination of toxins and increase in lymphatic flow: activation of the lymphatic system, which accelerates the transport of metabolites from the extracellular matrix and causes lymphatic drainage to reduce edema and promote rapid tissue regeneration;
• Release of growth factors VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), eNOS (Synthesis of Endothelial Nitric Oxide) and BMPs (Bone Morphogenic Proteins): these factors aid in the healing of tendinopathies in tendinous insertions and stimulate the release of angiogenic factors and neovascularization, which improves local blood flow, accelerating the healing of tendons and bones;
• Increased permeability of the cell membrane: this effect is due to the phenomenon of cavitation;
• Adipose tissue reduction: through diagnostic ultrasound measurements and clinically observed by standardized photographs, the thickness of the hypodermic layer with shock waves is reduced.

• Mechanotransduction of the signal: is the process by which mechanoreceptor cells and parenchyma convert mechanical stimuli (shock waves) into a chemical response, activating fibroblasts and increasing the density of collagen and elastin fibers , due to the production of neocollagen and neoelastin;
• Collagen remodeling: mechanical stress drives mechanotransduction, stimulating the remodeling of collagen fibers and fibroblasts. The traction of the collagen fibers of the skin incites the rearrangement, through the movement of the applicator, and improves the malleability of the collagen;
• Stimulation of microcirculation: increased circulation reduces the concentration of vasoneuroactive substances such as bradykinin, prostaglandin, serotonin and histamine, which also reduces the excitation of nociceptors and pain. It also increases the active transport of oxygen and nutrients to the tissue;
• Release of Nitric Oxide: Nitric oxide is an important vasodilator formed in the neurons of the posterior horn of the spinal cord, which promotes an inhibitory effect on the afferent nerve pathways of pain, causing pain modulation and of vasodilation to increase blood circulation;
• Elimination of toxins and increase in lymphatic flow: activation of the lymphatic system, which accelerates the transport of metabolites from the extracellular matrix and causes lymphatic drainage to reduce edema and promote rapid tissue regeneration;
• Release of growth factors VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), eNOS (Synthesis of Endothelial Nitric Oxide) and BMPs (Bone Morphogenic Proteins): these factors aid in the healing of tendinopathies in tendinous insertions and stimulate the release of angiogenic factors and neovascularization, which improves local blood flow, accelerating the healing of tendons and bones;
• Increased permeability of the cell membrane: this effect is due to the phenomenon of cavitation;
• Adipose tissue reduction: through diagnostic ultrasound measurements and clinically observed by standardized photographs, the thickness of the hypodermic layer with shock waves is reduced.