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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.