Comparison of the shockwave driven electromagnetically and by a compressor

There are several types of shockwave therapy devices available on the market. The most common are the units where the projectile is driven by compressed air. In comparison to compressed air devices also there are available units in which the projectile is accelerated by magnetic field.

Comparison of characteristics of the compressor shockwave and driven electromagnetically

Parameter
Shockwave driven by a compressor
Shockwave with the projectile driven electromagnetically
Remarks

Dimension
Large
Small
Thanks to this features, the device is portable.

Weight
High
Low

Operation mode
Continuous
Pulse / interrupted
In the centers with a large number of patients there may be needed some beaks.

Max frequency
Usually higher
Usually lower
Lower frequency results in longer treatment time because it is essential to perform set number of shocks.

Shock pulse width
 4,5 us
 14,5 us
 By a small number of available studies, it is difficult to determine whether three times higher pulse width has an impact on the treatment effectiveness.

 Available clinical studies
 Large number of available research
 There is no data about researches
Waves driven by a compressor are present in the market for a long time and that is why the vast majority of researches has been done with their use. In addition, the company that has been growing the clinical knowledge in this filed is Storz, a manufacturer of the shockwave generated by a compressor

 Noise level
 Higher
 Lower
Compressor does not work continuously but it pumps the pressure to fill in the tank. During the treatment the gun shape applicator noise level is higher than the compressor. Gun shape applicator occur in both examples.

Experience in physiotherapy practice
 Commonly use
Small number of devices installed in physiotherapy cabinets
 Thousands of devices sold worldwide are mostly driven by a compressor. For this reason, that technology seems to be more examined.

Chart presenting the shockwave pulse based on information from Zimmer Elektromedizin.