Ultraviolet radiation for physiotherapy

1. ULTRAVIOLET
RADIATIONS
By : ANNIE BLESSIE

2. Contents
◦ Definition
◦ Types of UVR
◦ Production of UVR
◦ Physiological effects
◦ Indications
◦ Contraindications
◦ Dangers
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3. Definition
◦ Ultraviolet radiations are the electromagnetic energy which falls between
visible rays and X-rays and have wavelength between 10 nm and 400 nm.
◦ Ultraviolet radiations are invisible to the human eye
◦ Ultraviolet radiations transmit much more energy than the visible
radiations.
◦ The therapeutic part of the ultraviolet spectrum may be divided into:
◦ UVA: Wavelength 315–400 nm
◦ UVB: Wavelength 280–315 nm
◦ UVC: Wavelength below 280 nm
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4. Production of UVR
Ultraviolet rays are emitted by the sun but for therapeutic purposes, some
form of generator is used.
◦ Generators produce ultraviolet rays from mercury. Various types of
generators are used such as :
◦ High pressure mercury vapour lamp
◦ Kromayer’s lamp
◦ Fluorescent tubes
◦ Theraktin tunnel
◦ PUVA apparatus
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5. High pressure
mercury vapour
lamp
The electrons move toward the positive terminal and positive
ions move toward the negative terminal, collision between
moving ions and neutral argon atom causes further ionization
and a glow of discharge is produced. Also, sufficient heat is
produced to vaporize the liquid mercury inside the tube .
 It consists of a U-
shaped glass tube,
filled with argon gas at
a low pressure. Small
amount of mercury is
enclosed in the tube
and the tube is sealed
at both the ends.
 At the ends of the
glass tube, electrodes
are placed, enclosed in
metal caps across
which a high potential
difference is applied
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6. Kromayers
lamp
◦ It can be used in contact with the body tissues absorbed by the circulating
water so there is no danger of burns.
 The Kromayer’s lamp
is a water-cooled
mercury vapour lamp
which eliminates the
danger of burn and
absorbs infrared rays
 Kromayer’s lamp can
also be used to treat
sinuses or deep body
cavities.
 Direct contact method
can also be used as it
minimizes the danger
of burn07-06-2020 anniet250999@gmail.com 6

7. Fluorescent tube : Each tube is about 120 cm long and is made up of a
glass which allows long ultraviolet rays to pass. The inside of tube is coated
with phosphor. The spectrum of each tube depends upon the type of
phosphor coating. A low pressure arc is set up inside the tube by the
process of ionization. Phosphor is used to absorb short wave ultraviolet
rays and these are reemitted at longer wavelengths.
◦ Therakitin tunnel
◦ It is a semicylindricular framework in
which four fluorescent tubes are
mounted in its own reflector in such a
way that an even irradiation of a
patient is achieved
◦ Normally, fluorescent tubes with a
spectrum of 280–400 nm are used
◦ PUVA Apparatus:
◦ Irradiation with UVA may be performed
with fluorescent tubes which may be
mounted in a vertical battery on a wall or on
four sides of a box totally surrounding the
patient.
◦ This form of ultraviolet rays are usually given
for two hours after the patient has taken a
photoactive drug such as Psoralen,
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8. Physiological effects of UVR
◦ Carcinogenesis
◦ Erythema
◦ Pigmentation
◦ Thickening of the epidermis:
◦ Desquamation
◦ Production of vitamin D
◦ Aging
◦ Antibiotic effect
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9. Indications
◦ Wounds:
◦ Acne vulgaris:
◦ Pressure sores
◦ Psoriasis
◦ Alopecia:
◦ Rickets:
◦ Counter-irritation effect:
◦ Psychological effect
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10. Contraindication
◦ Acute skin conditions
◦ Hypersensitivity to sunlight
◦ Deep X-ray or cobalt therapy:
◦ Skin grafting:
◦ Porpyria
◦ Sarcoidosis
◦ Herplex simplex
◦ Xeroderma pigmentosum
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11. Dangers
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