INFRARED RADIATION

Electromagnetic spectrum

                                                                                                           
 The spectrum contains all kinds of radiation
which are distributed by their different
wavelength
 Electromagnetic radiation: all types of radiation -
from the X-rays used at hospitals, to radio waves
used for communication, and even the
microwaves you cook food with.
 Radio wave 0.1mm – 100 km
Infrared wave 750nm – 0.4 mm
Visible light 400nm – 750 nm
Ultraviolet 10nm – 400 nm
X-ray 0.01pm – 100 nm
Gamma rays

100nm 400nm 750nm

Cosmic Ultra-violet Visible Infra-red

Gamma X-ray radio

10nm 5
10nm
 wavelength of an electromagnetic wave is
the distance between wave crests.
 Frequency. The no. of complete wave
passing any fixed point in one sec.
 A single unit of frequency is equal to one
cycle per second.

 Long waves- low freq

 Short waves – high freq
 Velocity is constant for all electromagnetic
waves
 Short wavelength radiation is of the highest
energy and can be very dangerous - Gamma, X-
rays and ultraviolet are examples of short
wavelength radiation.
 Longer wavelength radiation is of lower energy
and is usually less harmful - examples include
radio, microwaves and infrared.
 Visible and infrared radiation are used
therapeutically
 Characterized by wavelengths of 760nm –
1mm
 Many sources which emit visible light or
ultraviolet radiation also emit IR
Infrared and visible radiations
Type Wavelength
IRA 760-1400 nm
IRB 1400-3000 nm
IRC 3000nm –1mm

Former classification
Near or short IRR 760-1500 nm
Far or Long IRR 1500-15000nm
IRR
 Isemitted from any heated body.
 Are divided also into long and short
wavelengths for therapeutic purposes
 Produces heat when absorbed

 Visible radiations produce chemical changes

as well as heat when absorbed.
Production of Infrared
 Any heated material produces IRR
 Wavelength is also determined by
temperatures
 For production of short infra red the material
should not be oxidised
Generator
 Non-luminous generator – similar to electric heater
 Coil of Wires wound on a cylinder of some
insulating material such as fireclay or porcelain
 Electric current is passed through wire and produce
heat
 IR is emitted from hot wire and from fireclay which is
heated by conduction
 Radiations are visible
 Ceramic is heated to lower temp than the wire gives
mainly IR &little visible radiation
 In therapeutic use the wire is embeded in
insulating ceramic so little or no visible
radiation is emitter
 Produce long IRR around 3000 or 4000

 Small have power of 250-500W

 Larger have power of 750- 1000W

Luminous
 Electricallyheated filament in an evacuated
glass bulb,oftenwith silver inner surface to
provide a reflector
 Both IRR & visible radiation

 Small have power of 250-500W

 Larger have power of 600- 1500W

Generators
Two types
 Luminous and non-luminous generators
 Power output
 Smaller lamps (both types) 250-500W
 Large, non luminous 750-1000W
 Large Luminous , 600-1500 W
 Emission
 Non-luminous 3000-4000 mainly and 10% between
1500nm and visible
 Luminous approximately 70% short IR
 5% visible
 24% long IR
 1% UVR absorbed by glass of Lamp.
Absorption and penetration
 The result of any kind of radiation applied to
the skin depends on
 Structure
 Vascularity
 Pigmentation of the skin
 Wavelength of the radiation
Penetration
 Penetration depth
 Very long infra red like MWD –penetrates several
cm.
 Long infra-red only at surface 3000nm=0.1mm
 From here increasing penetration with decreasing
wavelength
 At 1000nm penetration depth 3mm
 Again very short and red –lesser penetration to 1-
2mm
Penetration and absorption
 Since penetration only few mm hence will not be
absorbed directly by deeper tissues
 Hence superficial heating only max up to dermis
 For deeper heating through conduction of heat and
increased local circulation
 Infra red radiation is strongly absorbed near the skin
area
 Most effective penetration is band between 650-
1500nm or IRA
Physiological effects and
therapeutic uses
 Physiological  Therapeutic
 increases metabolic  pain relief
rate  reduces muscle spasm
 cutaneous  acceleration of healing
vasodilatation and repair
 sweating
 stimulation of sensory
nerve
Application
 Preparation of apparatus
 Preparation of patient

 Examination and testing

 Setting up- rt angle ,dist -60-75cm,45-50cm-

small lamp
 Instructions and warnings

 Application

 Termination of treatment
Dangers with treatment
 Burns

 SkinIrritation
 Lowered blood pressure

 Areas of defective arterial blood flow

 Eye damage

 Dehydration
Contraindications
 Impaired cutanoeus thermal sensation
 Defective arterial cutanoeus circulation
 Patients whose consciousness is lowered
 Acute skin disease
 Skin damage due to x-ray therapy or other radiation
 Defective blood pressure regulation
 Acute febrile illness
 Tumors of skin