The Science Behind it All
Therapik® is a small, portable, hand-held, battery-powered device. It measures approximately 3cm x 3cm x 10cm and weighs less than four ounces, including the battery. The heat is initiated by use of a simple, non-locking, finger or thumb activated on/off switch. Heat is produced as long as the switch is depressed; when pressure on the switch is released, the circuit is interrupted and heat is no longer produced.
The source of the infrared heat is a small electric bulb with a nominal voltage rating of 5 volts. The bulb is driven by a user replaceable 9-volt alkaline battery, which effectively overdrives the bulb. This overdrive effect produces the desired heat output. The bulb is recessed inside the ABS housing of the Therapik®; the light orifice is covered with a metal mesh that is in turn also slightly recessed to prevent direct contact with the skin. The mesh also avoids pushing a stinger further into the skin in the event that the stinger has been left behind in the wound. Thus, treatment may be initiated to inactivate the venom before attempting to remove the stinger.
Therapik® is a small, portable, hand-held, battery-powered device. It measures approximately 3cm x 3cm x 10cm and weighs less than four ounces, including the battery. The heat is initiated by use of a simple, non-locking, finger or thumb activated on/off switch. Heat is produced as long as the switch is depressed; when pressure on the switch is released, the circuit is interrupted and heat is no longer produced.
The source of the infrared heat is a small electric bulb with a nominal voltage rating of 5 volts. The bulb is driven by a user replaceable 9-volt alkaline battery, which effectively overdrives the bulb. This overdrive effect produces the desired heat output. The bulb is recessed inside the ABS housing of the Therapik®; the light orifice is covered with a metal mesh that is in turn also slightly recessed to prevent direct contact with the skin. The mesh also avoids pushing a stinger further into the skin in the event that the stinger has been left behind in the wound. Thus, treatment may be initiated to inactivate the venom before attempting to remove the stinger.
The application of heat to the skin using the Therapik® results in the delivery of heat to a depth of approximately 2mm. The user is instructed to apply the device for as long as the heat is bearable on the skin (approximately 20 – 30 seconds).
This effectively raises the temperature of the tissue up to 2mm beneath the skin to 50°C – 60°C, which is the temperature, required to destroy the effect of thermolabile venoms and increase localized blood flow to the affected area. Because the heat becomes uncomfortable well before a burn occurs, it is virtually impossible to injure the skin through normal use of the Therapik®.
The user is instructed to replace the 9-volt battery at least once a year or sooner with a brand name 9V battery like Duracell® or Energizer®.
Duracell® and Energizer® are trademarks of their respective companies.