What is the appropriate duty cycle for a continuous ultrasound treatment?

Continuous ultrasound treatment is characterized by a duty cycle of 100%. This means that the ultrasound current is on continuously during the treatment, providing a constant flow of therapeutic energy. The purpose of using a continuous mode is to produce thermal effects in the tissues, which can help increase tissue temperature, improve collagen elasticity, promote blood flow, and facilitate healing.

The other duty cycles listed, such as 10%, 50%, and 75%, are associated with pulsed ultrasound treatments. These pulsed modes are used when a non-thermal effect is desired, such as promoting tissue repair and reducing inflammation without heating the tissue significantly. Therefore, the continuous mode with a 100% duty cycle is specifically indicated when the goal is to achieve continuous thermal effects in the targeted area.