Diathermy

Diathermy
: The use of heat to destroy abnormal cells. Also called cauterization or electrodiathermy.
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Local elevation of temperature within the tissues, produced by high frequency current, ultrasonic waves, or microwave radiation. SYN: transthermia. [G. dia, through, + therme, heat]
- medical d. d. of mild degree causing no destruction of tissue. SYN: thermopenetration.
- short wave d. therapeutic elevation of temperature in the tissues by means of an oscillating electric current of extremely high frequency (10–100 million Hz) and short wavelength of 3–30 meters.
- surgical d. electrocoagulation with a high frequency electrocautery, resulting in local tissue destruction; usually used to seal blood vessel s and arrest bleeding. SYN: diathermocoagulation.
- ultrashortwave d. shortwave d. in which the wavelength is under 10 meters.

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dia·ther·my 'dī-ə-.thər-mē n, pl -mies the generation of heat in tissue by electric currents for medical or surgical purposes called also endothermy see ELECTROCOAGULATION, SHORTWAVE DIATHERMY

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n.
the production of heat in a part of the body by means of a high-frequency electric current passed between two electrodes placed on the patient's skin. The heat generated increases blood flow and can be used in the treatment of deep-seated pain in rheumatic and arthritic conditions. See also microwave therapy.
The principle of diathermy is also utilized in various surgical instruments: a diathermy knife, for example, is used to coagulate tissues. The knife is itself one electrode, the other being a large moistened pad applied to another part of the patient's body. Because blood is coagulated as the knife is used, and small vessels sealed off, virtually bloodless incisions may be made. Diathermy snares and needles can be used to destroy unwanted tissue and to remove small superficial neoplasms. See also electrosurgery.

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di·a·ther·my (diґə-thur″me) [dia- + Gr. thermē heat] heating of the body tissues due to their resistance to the passage of high-frequency electromagnetic radiation, electric currents, or ultrasonic waves. Tissues may be either simply warmed (medical d.) or coagulated and destroyed (surgical d.).

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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  • Diathermy — Intervention ICD 9 CM 93.34 MeSH …   Wikipedia

  • diathermy — [dī′ə thʉr΄mē] n. [ModL diathermia < Gr dia , through + thermē, heat: see WARM] medical treatment in which heat is produced beneath the skin by a high frequency electric current, radiation, etc., to warm or destroy tissue …   English World dictionary

  • diathermy — /duy euh therr mee/, n. Med. the production of heat in body tissues by electric currents, for therapeutic purposes. Also, diathermia /duy euh therr mee euh/. [ < G Diathermie (1909). See DIA , THERMY] * * * Use of high frequency electric current… …   Universalium

  • diathermy — n. the production of heat in a part of the body by means of a high frequency electric current passed between two electrodes placed on the patient s skin. The principle of diathermy is also utilized in various surgical instruments to coagulate… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • diathermy — A procedure in which tissue is heated to destroy abnormal cells. The heat may come from electric currents, microwaves, radio waves, or ultrasound. Diathermy is a type of hyperthermia therapy. Also called electrodiathermy …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • diathermy machine — noun a medical instrument for local heating of bodily tissues for medical purposes (Freq. 1) • Hypernyms: ↑medical instrument • Hyponyms: ↑microwave diathermy machine, ↑shortwave diathermy machine …   Useful english dictionary

  • diathermy — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary Date: 1909 the generation of heat in tissue by electric currents for medical or surgical purposes • diathermic adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • diathermy — noun The generation of heat using high frequency electromagnetic currents; especially the therapeutic production of heat in tissues …   Wiktionary

  • diathermy — di·a·ther·my || daɪəθɜːmɪ n. treatment of diseased tissue using heat …   English contemporary dictionary

  • diathermy — [ dʌɪəˌθə:mi] noun a medical and surgical technique involving the production of heat in a part of the body by high frequency electric currents. Origin early 20th cent.: from dia + Gk thermon heat …   English new terms dictionary

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