TheraTouch LX2 Laser Light Device Applicator Comparison: Cluster vs. Single Diode
The two applicator options for the TheraTouch LX2 serve different purposes, primarily related to the size of the treatment area and the desired depth of penetration.
LX2 Applicator Comparison: Cluster vs. Single Diode
| Feature | Cluster Applicator (Standard) | Single Diode Applicator (Optional) |
| Diodes | 9 Diodes Total (4 LEDs, 5 Infrared Lasers) | 1 Diode Total (1 Infrared Laser) |
| Total Power Output | 1040 milliwatts (High Power) | 200 milliwatts (Lower Power) |
| Wavelengths | Dual Wavelength: 650 nm (Red LED) & 850 nm (Infrared Laser) | Single Wavelength: 850 nm (Infrared Laser) |
| Treatment Area | Large/Broad Area: Covers wide muscle groups, joints (like the knee or shoulder), and diffuse inflammation. | Small/Pinpoint Area: Designed to target a small, specific point, such as a trigger point, acupuncture point, or small incision site. |
| Treatment Depth | Varied: The 650 nm light treats superficial tissues (skin, wound healing), while the 850 nm light provides deep penetration (muscles, tendons). | The focused 850 nm light makes sure the energy gets to the deepest parts of the body, like where tendons attach and deep joint areas |
When to Choose Each Applicator
| Application Scenario | Recommended Applicator | Rationale |
| Wound/Incision Healing | Cluster | The cluster effectively treats the skin layer by using the superficial 650 nm wavelength and broad coverage. |
| Chronic Low Back Pain | Cluster | Large muscle groups and wide areas of pain require the high total power and broad surface area of the Cluster Applicator. |
| A Specific Trigger Point | Single Diode | The precise, focused beam can deliver a concentrated dose of energy directly to a small, isolated area of dysfunction. |
| Rotator Cuff Tendinitis | Single Diode | This allows the clinician to direct the deep 850 nm energy straight to the tendon attachment, avoiding the outer layers of tissue. |
| Knee Osteoarthritis | Cluster | The wide coverage treats the joint capsule and surrounding tissues simultaneously with a high dose of energy. |
Essentially, the Cluster Applicator is your high-output "shotgun" for large areas and broad inflammation, while the Single Diode is your precise "rifle" for targeting small, deep anatomical points.
That is an excellent follow-up question, as the difference between those two wavelengths is crucial to effective laser therapy!
The TheraTouch LX2 uses two distinct types of light—red and infrared—because they penetrate and affect the body's tissues at different depths.
Here is a breakdown of the two wavelengths used in the cluster applicator:
The Power of Dual Wavelengths
The primary reason to use both 650 nm and 850 nm light together is to achieve a comprehensive biological response that spans both superficial and deep tissues.
| Wavelength | Color/Type | Penetration Depth | Primary Biological Effect |
| 650 nm | Visible Red Light | Superficial (Targets skin and surface tissues) | The skin and mucous membranes primarily absorb this light. These wavelengths are excellent for accelerating wound healing, treating surface inflammation, and improving blood flow in the top layers of tissue. |
| 850 nm | Invisible Infrared Light | Deep (targeting muscles, tendons, and joints) | It penetrates the skin and fat layers to reach deep structures such as tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and muscle tissue. This light delivers the energy needed for deep pain relief and stimulating cellular activity in dense tissue. |
Why They Are Used Together
When you use the Cluster Applicator, you get the combined benefit:
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The 650 nm light treats the surface integrity, speeding up the healing of any associated skin or soft-tissue damage.
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The 850 nm light simultaneously targets the underlying source of the problem, such as a deeply inflamed tendon or the interior of a joint.
Using both types of light makes sure that the whole problem area, from the skin to the deeper tissues, gets the photobiomodulation (PBM) energy needed for complete healing.
That is an excellent follow-up question, as the difference between those two wavelengths is crucial to effective laser therapy!
The TheraTouch LX2 uses two distinct types of light—red and infrared—because they penetrate and affect the body's tissues at different depths.
Here is a list of the two wavelengths that the cluster applicator uses:
The Power of Dual Wavelengths
The primary reason to use both 650 nm and 850 nm light together is to achieve a comprehensive biological response that spans both superficial and deep tissues.
| Wavelength | Color/Type | Penetration Depth | Primary Biological Effect |
| 650 nm | Visible Red Light | Superficial (Targets skin and surface tissues) | Primarily absorbed by the skin and mucous membranes. Excellent for accelerating wound healing, treating surface inflammation, and improving blood flow in the top layers of tissue. |
| 850 nm | Invisible Infrared Light | Deep (targeting muscles, tendons, and joints) | Penetrates the skin and fat layers to reach deep structures like tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, and muscle tissue. This light delivers the energy needed for deep pain relief and stimulating cellular activity in dense tissue. |
Why They Are Used Together
When you use the Cluster Applicator, you get the combined benefit:
-
The 650 nm light treats the surface integrity, speeding up the healing of any associated skin or soft-tissue damage.
-
The 850 nm light simultaneously targets the underlying source of the problem, such as a deeply inflamed tendon or the interior of a joint.
Using both ensures that the entire affected area, from the skin down to the deep fibers, receives the photobiomodulation (PBM) energy necessary for a thorough healing response.
That’s an essential final step! Proper dosing, measured in Joules (J), is the single most critical factor in ensuring LLLT is effective. Too little energy yields no result; too much can be inhibitory.
The TheraTouch LX2 simplifies this by using its Dosage Calculator, but here is the concept behind calculating the energy delivered.
Calculating LLLT Dosage (Joules) on the LX2
The aim of each laser treatment is to provide a certain total energy amount (Joules) to the area being treated (10 J/cm^2 for a specific tendinitis protocol).
The total energy delivered (J) is a function of the machine's power and the time spent treating the area:
The LX2's interface simplifies this by allowing you to work with different units:
1. The Core Variable: Power (Watts)
The total instantaneous power is determined by the applicator you choose:
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Single Diode: 200 mW = 0.2 Watts
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Cluster Applicator: $1040\ \text{mW} = 1.04\ \text{Watts}$
2. The Calculation Process
With the TheraTouch LX2, you don't calculate manually; the device does the work, updating the values in real-time.
| User Action | LX2 Dosage Calculator Response | Rationale |
| Select Protocol: You choose "Shoulder Tendinitis," and the target dosage of 20 J is entered. | The calculator immediately displays the time required (e.g., 20 seconds) based on the applicator's power. | This configuration is the simplest way to use the LX2. You choose the clinical target (J), and the device gives you the treatment time. |
| Adjust Time: You manually set the timer for 30 seconds. | The calculator instantly updates the total joules that will be delivered (e.g., 1.04 W x 30 s = 31.2 J). | This allows for flexibility if you want to extend a session or customize the dosage beyond the preset protocols. |
| Monitor math {J/cm^2}: The device constantly displays the energy density (joules per square centimeter). | This value ensures the energy is concentrated correctly for the size of the target area, confirming you aren't under-dosing a small, deep structure. | This is the most crucial measure for researchers and specialists. |
The key takeaway is that the LX2's calculator prevents errors by showing you the relationship between power, time, and total energy simultaneously, ensuring the treatment is delivered correctly.