| Key Points of
Infrared |
- Infrared in electromagnetic spectrum – Natural
absorption in the human body centers around 9 microns.
- Depth of Penetration – 2.36 inches
- Radiant vs conductive
- Our product’s infrared energy produces relatively cool
temperatures (40° C - 45° C). Won’t dehydrate or burn.
|
| Heat Transfer and
Electromagnetic Radiation |
There are three
phenomena through which energy can be transmitted:
electromagnetic radiation, conduction, and convection. While
all three energy forms are present in the application of
Thermotex™ products the primary energy form utilized is
electromagnetic radiation. Unlike conduction and convection,
electromagnetic waves need no material medium for
transmission. As with the electromagnetic radiant energy of
the sun, which travels through the atmosphere to warm the
earth, the radiant energy emitted by Thermotex™ products for
therapeutic purposes, are emitted to and absorbed by the body
in a natural process.
All of the components of the
electromagnetic spectrum, regardless of frequency, also have
in common the typical properties of wave motion. The
wavelengths range from millionths of a centimeter to many
kilometers. The wavelength and frequency are important in
determining heating effect, visibility, penetration and other
characteristics of the electromagnetic radiation. |
 |
| Infrared
Radiation |
An understanding
of Infrared ("IR") firstly requires an understanding of
radiant heat. Radiant heat is also called infrared energy.
Radiant heat is simply a form of energy that heats objects
directly through a process called conversion, without having
to heat the air space in between.
IR is the emission of
energy as electromagnetic waves in the portion of the spectrum
just beyond the limit of the red portion of the visible
spectrum.
The infrared
segment of the electromagnetic spectrum is divided into 3
segments by wave length, measured in microns or micrometers
(one micron = 1/1,000,000 of a meter):
0.076 - 1.5
microns = Near Infrared (NIR);
1.5 - 5.6 microns = Middle
Infrared (MIR); and
5.6 - 1000 microns = Far or long wave
infrared (FIR). |
| The Human Body’s
Energy Absorption Spectra |
| Our bodies
radiate and absorb infrared energy through the skin at 3 - 50
microns with a concentration of energy output at 9.4 microns.
The IR radiation of Thermotex™ products emit about one-third
of its output in the MIR band width from 2 - 5.6 microns, for
deeper penetration, with the balance of output in the FIR
band, from 5.6 - 25 microns with that part of the output
spread evenly around the 9.4 micron pivot point of peak human
output. This distribution maximizes the higher penetration of
the middle-band waves and combines them with the long waves
that produce a resonant absorption amplification of healthy
tissue output. | |
