Fluidization causes finely divided particles to acquire the characteristics of fluid. Evidence-Based Guide to
Therapeutic Physical Agents.So how does this work Fluidotherapy is a dry thermal physical agent that transfers its
energy (i.e. heat) to soft tissues by forced convection. Evidence-Based Guide to Therapeutic Physical Agents. What
is forced convection It is defined as the process of heat transfer through the forced movements of heated air and
Cellex (made of natural cellulose) particles in the chamber, which together are circulated around the extremity
being treated.
Evidence-Based Guide to Therapeutic Physical Agents. So what is Fluidotherapy? It is defined as: A modality of dry
heat that uses a suspended air stream with the properties of a liquid. It simultaneously performs the functions of
applied heat, massage, sensory stimulation, levitation and pressure oscillations. Mosbys Dictionary of Medicine,
Nursing & Allied Health.
Dry Heat Therapy relieves localized pain, increases localized blood circulation, increases range of motion and
relieves minor pain and stiffness associated with nonrheumatoid arthritis. Single Extremity Unit is for treating the
hand, wrist, elbow, foot and ankle. Includes thirty pounds (13.6 kg) of Cellex Dry Heat Media.
Clinical indications
- Relief of local pain
- Management of minor pain and stiffness on non-rheumatoid arthritis
- Increase localized blood circulation
- Management of joint range of motion when combined with exercise
Examples of common applications
- Relief of local pain
- Exercise
- Tissue heating
- Sensory stimulation
- Increased blood flow
- Decreased ROM
- Other conditions where heat is appropriate
Contraindications
- Where cancerous lesions are present in the treatment area
- Where open wounds are present in the treatment area
- When patients are suspected of carrying serious infectious diseases
- Systemic infectious diseases where it is advisable to suppress heat or fevers
- Severe circulatory obstruction disorders (arterial, venous, or lymphatic)
Features & Benefits
- Dry Heat increases circulation and assists in pain relief.
-
Massaging Action provides warmth, increased local circulation, and pain-diminishing effects to help
increase joint range of motion. -
Limb Buoyancy allows patients to freely perform a variety of resistive exercises with increased
mobility and decreased pain. The fluidized Cellex particles act like a low-viscosity fluid, allowing limbs to be
suspended much like in a liquid state. - Heat-Induced Vasodilation
- Increases Localized Blood Flow
- Improves Joint Range of Motion due to increased collagen elasticity.
- Sensory Stimulation
-
Gentle Sensory Stimulation of the skin through rubbing of the Cellex™ particles against the skin
surface. - Stimulates Skin Mechanoreceptors
- Induces a Cutaneous Micro Massage, helping to decrease pain and increase range of motion.
-
Air Flow and High/Low Features create an antigravity effect that maintains the limb in a buoyant,
elevated position to aid in the movement of fluid and help prevent the build-up of edema. -
Effectiveness of Fluidotherapy Compared to Hydrotherapy and Paraffin Wax Treatments:
-
Fluidotherapy applied at 118°F resulted in a maximum joint capsule temperature rise of 16.2°F and a 9.5°F rise
in muscle temperature. -
Paraffin wax treatments resulted in a 13.5°F rise in joint capsule temperature and an 8.1°F rise in muscle
temperature. -
Hydrotherapy bath applied at 102°F resulted in a 10.8°F rise in joint capsule temperature and a 7.7°F rise in
muscle temperature. -
[Comparison of In Vivo Temperature Produced by Hydrotherapy, Paraffin Wax, and Fluidotherapy. Borrell RM, Parker
R, Henley EJ, Masley D, Repinecz]
-
Fluidotherapy applied at 118°F resulted in a maximum joint capsule temperature rise of 16.2°F and a 9.5°F rise
-
Time-Integrated Heat Absorption Measurements:
- Fluidotherapy unit at 120°F: 17.2 BTU
- Whirlpool at 105.2°F: 5.6 BTU
- Paraffin wax bath at 126°F: 4.8 BTU
- [Fluidotherapy: Evaluation of a New Heat Modality? Borrell RM, Henley EJ, Ho P, Hubbell MK]
Single Unit Technical Specs
- Mains Power: 120V, 50/60 Hz, 11A
- Product Weight: 70 lb (31.7 kg)
- Shipping Weight: 100 lb (45.4 kg)
- Dimensions: 34″ x 11.5″ x 33″ (86.4 cm x 29.2 cm x 83.8 cm)
- Variable Adjustments: Time, Temperature and Air Speed
- Modes of Operation: Continuous and Pulsed
- Pulse Mode: OFF to 6 seconds; ON/OFF
- Treatment Time: 1-99 minutes and Continuous
- Operating Temperature: Dependent upon Air Speed selected 88° F to 125° F (31° C to 52° C)
- Optimal Performance: 115° to 118° at 50% Air Speed
- Air Speed: 0% to 100% (5% increments)
- Safety Class: Class I, Type B
- Safety Tests: UL 60601-1
Double Unit Technical Specs
- Mains Power: 120V, 50/60 Hz, 11A
- Product Weight: 60 lb (27.2 kg)
- Shipping Weight: 100 lb (45.4 kg)
- Dimensions: 34″ x 18.5″ x 33″ (86.4 cm x 47 cm x 83.3 cm)
- Variable Adjustments: Time, Temperature and Air Speed
- Modes of Operation: Continuous and Pulsed
- Pulse Mode: OFF to 6 seconds; ON/OFF
- Treatment Time: 1-99 minutes and Continuous
- Operating Temperature: Dependent upon Air Speed selected 88° F to 125° F (31°C to 52°C)
- Optimal Performance: 115° to 118° at 50% Air Speed
- Air Speed: 0% to 100% (5% increments)
- Safety Class: Class I, Type B
- Safety Tests: UL 60601-1
Includes Cellex Dry Heat Media
