Frequency dependence of impedances at the acupuncture point Quze (PC3)

Current evidence for non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical treatments of canine osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease process that affects a significant proportion of the canine population, impacting these animals' quality of life. Currently, there is no cure and treatment consists of managing the clinical signs of pain and reduced mobility. There are many treatments for canine osteoarthritis and in this review we discuss the evidence base behind non-pharmaceutical, non-surgical treatments of this disease. These treatments include weight management, nutraceuticals, acupuncture, physiotherapies such as therapeutic exercise, hydrotherapy as well as other therapeutic modalities including photobiomodulation therapy, electromagnetic field therapy and others.

Application of fuzzy neural network model and current-voltage analysis of biologically active points for prediction post-surgery risks

The work investigates neural network model for prediction of post-surgical treatment risks. The descriptors of the risk classifiers are formed on the basis of the analysis of the current-voltage characteristics of one, two and three biologically active points. The training and verification samples were formed by examining 120 patients with a diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Of these, 62 patients were successfully operated on (class C1), 30 had various complications after surgery (class C2), 28 patients required additional treatment (class C3). The constructed classifiers showed a high quality of predicting critical conditions during surgical treatment.

A Low-Power Stable Wideband Current Source for Acupuncture Point Skin Impedance Measurements

A low-power stable wideband current source for acupuncture point skin impedance measurements has been designed employing a differential architecture and negative feedback. The circuits extend bandwidth to 1 MHz, reducing harmonic distortion to 0.24% at 1 MHz. The output impedance is 37 MΩ at 100 kHz and 11 MΩ at 1 MHz. The stability of the output current of the current source when connected to different loads is below 0.1% at frequencies up to 500 kHz and increases to 0.74% at 1 MHz. The circuit was manufactured in a 0.13-μm CMOS technology and measured results are presented. The area of the current source is 0.09 mm² and its consumption is 1.2 mW. It is intended for low-power acupuncture point skin impedance measurements.

Two Transcutaneous Stimulation Techniques in Shoulder Pain: Transcutaneous Pulsed Radiofrequency (TPRF) versus Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS): A Comparative Pilot Study

Objective

To compare the safety and efficacy of 2 transcutaneous stimulation techniques, transcutaneous pulsed radiofrequency (TPRF) versus transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), in chronic shoulder tendonitis.

Design

A prospective, randomized, and double-blind clinical trial.

Setting

Academic pain service of a city hospital.

Subjects

Fifty patients with sonography-confirmed shoulder tendonitis.

Methods

Fifty patients were randomly allocated into two groups for electrical stimulation treatment with 3-month follow-ups: Group 1 (n=25), TENS and Group 2 (n=25), TPRF. Both groups underwent either treatment for 15 minutes every other day, three times total. Our primary goals were to find any treatment comfort level, adverse event, and changes in Constant-Murley shoulder (CMS) scores. The secondary goals were finding the changes in pain, enjoyment of life, and general activity (PEG) scores.

Results

For primary goals, no adverse events were noted throughout this study. No differences were found between groups for treatment tolerability (3.20 + 0.87 vs. 2.16 + 0.75). Statistically significant lower PEG scores were noticeable with the TPRF group after the course (12.73 + 5.79 vs. 24.53 + 10.21, p=0.013). Their statistical significance lasted for 3 months although the difference gap diminished after 1 month. CMS scores were significantly higher in the TPRF group (70.84 + 6.74 vs. 59.56 + 9.49, p=0.007) right after treatment course but the significance did not last.

Conclusions

In treating chronic shoulder tendinitis using two transcutaneous stimulation techniques, both TPRF and TENS are safe and effective. TPRF is superior to TENS.

A sensitive acupuncture needle microsensor for real-time monitoring of nitric oxide in acupoints of rats

This study reports an acupuncture needle modified with an iron-porphyrin functionalized graphene composite (FGPC) for real-time monitoring of nitric oxide (NO) release in acupoints of rats. A gold film was first deposited to the needle surface to enhance the conductivity. The FGPC was prepared via hydrothermal synthesis, and subsequently applied to the tip surface of acupuncture needle by electrochemical deposition method. The functionalized needle enabled a specific and sensitive detection of NO based on the favorably catalytic properties of iron-porphyrin and the excellent conductivity of graphene. Amperometric data showed that the needle achieved not only a low detection limit down to 3.2 nM in PBS solution, but also a satisfactory selectivity. Interestingly, the functionalized needle could be inserted into the acupoints of rats for real-time monitoring of NO in vivo. It was found that a remarkable response to NO was respectively obtained in different acupoints when stimulated by _L-arginine (_L-Arg), revealing that the release of NO was detectable in acupoints. We expect this work would showcase the applications of acupuncture needle in detecting some important signaling molecules in vivo, and exploring the mechanism of acupuncture treatment.

Electromechanical method coupling non-invasive skin impedance probing and in vivo subcutaneous liquid microinjection: controlling the diffusion pattern of nanoparticles within living soft tissues

Transdermal drug delivery is the way to transport drug carriers, such as nanoparticles, across the skin barrier to the dermal and/or subcutaneous layer. In order to control the transdermal drug delivery process, based on the heterogeneous and nonlinear structures of the skin tissues, we developed a novel electromechanical method combining in vivo local skin impedance probing, subcutaneous micro-injection of colloidal nanoparticles, and transcutaneous electrical stimulation. Experiments on the nude mice using in vivo fluorescence imaging exhibited significantly different apparent diffusion patterns of the nanoparticles depending on the skin impedance: Anisotropic and isotropic patterns were observed upon injection into low and high impedance points, respectively. This result implies that the physical complexity in living tissues may cause anisotropic diffusion of drug carriers, and can be used as a parameter for controlling drug delivery process. This method also can be combined with microneedle-based drug release systems, micro-fabricated needle-electrodes, and/or advanced in vivo targeting/imaging technologies using nanoparticles.

Do changes in electrical skin resistance of acupuncture points reflect menstrual pain? A comparative study in healthy volunteers and primary dysmenorrhea patients

Electrical skin resistance (ESR) measurements were performed with a four-electrode impedance detector at 10 points bilaterally on the first day of and the third day after menstruation in 48 healthy volunteers and 46 primary dysmenorrhea (PD) patients, to assess whether ESR changes of acupuncture points can reflect menstrual pain or not. The results showed statistical reductions in ESR imbalance ratio between left and right side that were detected at SP8 (Diji) and GB39 (Xuanzhong) (P < 0.05), and a statistical increase was detected at SP6 (Sanyinjiao) (P = 0.05) on the first day of menstruation compared with those values on the third day after menstruation in dysmenorrhea group. No significant differences were detected at other points within and between two groups (P > 0.05). This study showed that the imbalance of ESR at uterine-relevant points in PD patients is not significantly different from those of healthy women on both the 1st day of and the 3rd day after menstruation. The ESR imbalance ratio of certain points can either be lower or higher during menstruation in PD patients. The ESR property of acupuncture points needs to be investigated in further clinical trials with appropriate points, diseases, larger sample sizes, and optimal device.

Hardware and software realization of EDSD for acupuncture research and practice

Traditional acupuncture as a diagnostic and therapeutic method has been known in China for more than 3000 years. Electrodermal screening tests (EDSTs) and electrodermal screening devices (EDSDs) that are based on the knowledge derived from traditional Chinese medicine appeared in the 1950s. This article deals with design, development and realization of such a device. The design considers the principles of two widely used EDSTs and modern trends in the field of electronics and data management. A computer program with simple user interface that provides graphic evaluation and intercomparison of measured data are presented. The designed system is suitable not only for acupuncture research but also for ordinary acupuncture diagnostics.

Electrical potential of acupuncture points: use of a noncontact scanning Kelvin probe

Objective. Acupuncture points are reportedly distinguishable by their electrical properties. However, confounders arising from skin-to-electrode contact used in traditional electrodermal methods have contributed to controversies over this claim. The Scanning Kelvin Probe is a state-of-the-art device that measures electrical potential without actually touching the skin and is thus capable of overcoming these confounding effects. In this study, we evaluated the electrical potential profiles of acupoints LI-4 and PC-6 and their adjacent controls. We hypothesize that acupuncture point sites are associated with increased variability in potential compared to adjacent control sites. Methods. Twelve healthy individuals were recruited for this study. Acupuncture points LI-4 and PC-6 and their adjacent controls were assessed. A 2 mm probe tip was placed over the predetermined skin site and adjusted to a tip-to-sample distance of 1.0 mm under tip oscillation settings of 62.4 Hz frequency. A 6 × 6 surface potential scan spanning a 1.0 cm × 1.0 cm area was obtained. Results. At both the PC-6 and LI-4 sites, no significant differences in mean potential were observed compared to their respective controls (Wilcoxon rank-sum test, P = 0.73 and 0.79, resp.). However, the LI-4 site was associated with significant increase in variability compared to its control as denoted by standard deviation and range (P = 0.002 and 0.0005, resp.). At the PC-6 site, no statistical differences in variability were observed. Conclusion. Acupuncture points may be associated with increased variability in electrical potential.

Biophysical characteristics of meridians and acupoints: a systematic review

As an integral part of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), acupuncture is a convenient and effective therapy with fewer adverse effects. Recently, researches on meridian essence have become core issues of modern TCM. Numerous experiments have demonstrated the objective existence of meridians by different technologies since 1950s, such as biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular biology. In this paper, we review biophysical studies on electric, acoustic, thermal, optical, magnetic, isotopic, and myoelectric aspects of meridians and acupoints. These studies suggest that meridians/acupoints have biophysical characteristics which are different from nonacupuncture points. Owing to the limitations of previous studies, future research using high-throughput technologies such as omics and multicenter randomized controlled trials should be performed to explore the acupuncture's mechanisms of action and demonstration of efficacy.

Research on nonlinear feature of electrical resistance of acupuncture points

A highly sensitive volt-ampere characteristics detecting system was applied to measure the volt-ampere curves of nine acupuncture points, LU9, HT7, LI4, PC6, ST36, SP6, KI3, LR3, and SP3, and corresponding nonacupuncture points bilaterally from 42 healthy volunteers. Electric currents intensity was increased from 0 μA to 20 μA and then returned to 0 μA again. The results showed that the volt-ampere curves of acupuncture points had nonlinear property and magnetic hysteresis-like feature. On all acupuncture point spots, the volt-ampere areas of the increasing phase were significantly larger than that of the decreasing phase (P < 0.01). The volt-ampere areas of ten acupuncture point spots were significantly smaller than those of the corresponding nonacupuncture point spots when intensity was increase (P < 0.05 ~ P < 0.001). And when intensity was decrease, eleven acupuncture point spots showed the same property as above (P < 0.05 ~ P < 0.001), while two acupuncture point spots showed opposite phenomenon in which the areas of two acupuncture point spots were larger than those of the corresponding nonacupuncture point spots (P < 0.05 ~ P < 0.01). These results show that the phenomenon of low skin resistance does not exist to all acupuncture points.

Measurements of Location-Dependent Nitric Oxide Levels on Skin Surface in relation to Acupuncture Point

Location-dependent skin surface's partial nitric oxide pressure (pNO) is studied using highly sensitive amperometric NO microsensor with a small sensing area (diameter  = 76 μm). The pNO level of LI4 (Hegu) acupuncture point is measured and compared with the pNO level of nonacupuncture point. In addition, the mapping of pNO is carried out over the left wrist skin area one- as well as two-dimensionally. Statistically higher pNO levels near the position of acupuncture points than non-acupuncture points are observed consistently, implying tight relationship between the level of NO release of skin and acupuncture points. The amperometric planar NO microsensor successfully monitors the heterogeneity of skin pNO distribution in high spatial resolution due to its advantageous features such as high sensitivity and small sensing dimension. The current study suggests the direct connection between NO and acupuncture points and possibly provides beneficial information to understand physiological roles and basis of the acupuncture points.

Analysis of multifrequency impedance of biologic active points using a dry electrode system

OBJECTIVES

A system is being developed for measurement of biologic active points (BAPs) in humans using a modified dry electrode. The BAPs measuring system analyzed the electrical characteristics and searched for the position of BAPs using modified dry electrodes.

SUBJECTS

Skin electrical resistance at BAPs and non-BAPs was examined with a modified electrode system for healthy male subjects (ages 21-40). Four (4) acupuncture points of PC-4, PC-5, PC-6, and PC-7 on the left arms were chosen for BAPs. Bio-impedance was then conducted for BAPs and non-BAPS using a lock-in amplifier with a frequency range of 1 Hz-1 kHz.

RESULTS

Resistances of four BAPs were found to decrease to about 29%-59% of non-BAPs and reactance of BAPs was found to decrease to about 23%-41% of non-BAPs. The difference in electrical impedance between BAPs and non-BAPs was easily recognized since the average value of BAPs was measured at lower values than that of non-BAPs. Through these experiments, BAPs could be distinguished from non-BAPs based on electrical impedance. In addition, the electrical impedance model used-the electrical BAPs model-appears to be better suited for skin.

CONCLUSIONS

The proposed BAPs electrical model of skin can be adapted for interpretation of changes in the impedance characterization of skin. This system would be used for various skin diagnoses due to the simplicity and reliability of bio-impedance analysis.

Development and evaluation of a novel four-electrode device system for monitoring skin impedance

Qi, meridians, and acupoints are important issues in Chinese medicine. One of the theories claims that acupuncture points and meridians have unique electrical properties. The associations between acupuncture points or meridians and special electrical properties are still under debate. In the current study, we introduced and explained a device for this kind of research and evaluated the reliability of this device as well as effects of pressure, cleaning the skin by alcohol and exfoliation on electrical skin measurements. Fifteen subjects (10 female, 5 male) were recruited to participate in the study. An impedance meter based on the four-electrode technique was designed and fabricated specifically for this study. The effects of pressure, cleaning of the skin by alcohol, and exfoliation on electrical skin impedance were evaluated separately. The device repeatability was also evaluated 30 times in a 30 minutes period. Scale weight up to 200 grams, cleaning the skin with alcohol, and exfoliation didn't affect the performance of this device. The device performance didn't change significantly during the 30 minutes measurement either. The new system we evaluated can be a reliable tool for researches on electrical skin impedance in acupuncture, as its performance is fairly stable even in the presence of various confounding factors such as various pressures on the probe, cleaning the skin with alcohol and exfoliation.

Appearance of Human Meridian-Like Structure and Acupoints and Its Time Correlation by Infrared Thermal Imaging

The meridians and acupoints of human bodies at natural condition are investigated among 30 healthy volunteers by infrared thermal imaging technique. The results give clear evidence of the existence of infrared radiant tracks along human meridian courses. The time dependent evolution of the infrared radiant track is observed for the first time. The time rhythm of acupoints is also studied. Our findings not only support the view that infrared radiant tracks along human meridian courses is a normal vital and physiological phenomenon appearing in human beings, but also offer a potential method for noninvasive diagnostic by studying the physiological function and pathological change of meridians or acupoints by means of thermography.

The antinociceptive effect of electroacupuncture at different depths of acupoints and under the needling surface

Background

The stimulation of acupoints along the meridians, but not the non-acupoints outside of the meridians, produces analgesia. Although the acupoint is defined at the body surface, the exact location of the acupoints is not known. This study aims to examine whether the intensity and duration of the analgesic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at the Zusanli (ST36) and Sanynjiao acupoints (SP6) change according to the depth of the stimulation.

Methods

Ninety-six male Wistar rats classified as responders were arbitrarily allocated into 16 groups of six rats each. Six groups received EA with uninsulated acupuncture needles (type I) or needles that were immersed in varnish and had the varnish circularly peeled 0.2 mm from the tip (type II), 0.2 mm at 3 mm (type III) or 5 mm (type IV) from the tip, or 0.2 mm at 5 and 1 mm from the tip (type V), or EA sham for 20 min. Five groups received injection of formalin into the acupoint bilaterally at 5 mm or 1 mm deep into ST36, 5 mm below ST36 but inserting the needle at 45° to the skin surface, or 5 mm deep into non-acupoints. The remaining groups received intraplantar injection of saline, 1% or 2.5% formalin. The analgesic effects were measured by the rat tail-flick test.

Results

The bilateral stimulation of ST36 and SP6 by uninsulated or insulated needles produced analgesia in the rat tail-flick test. The stronger and longer lasting effects occurred after EA with the types I and V needles, or injection of formalin 5 mm deep into ST36. The remaining needles produced weaker and shorter lasting effects. Slow analgesic effect also occurred after formalin injection at 1 mm or 5 mm below ST36 by inserting the needle at 45° to the skin surface.

Conclusion

The experimental results suggest that the efficacy of the EA stimulation depends on the spatial distribution of the current density under the needling surface rather than only the acupoint or the depth of needling.

Prediction of gastric ulcers based on the change in electrical resistance of acupuncture points using fuzzy logic decision-making

Many theories of reflexology use ancient concepts which do not coincide with the modern medical terminology of anatomy, physiology and biophysics. This substantially reduces the trust of physicians in reflexology methods. During this research, several mathematical models for the interaction of the internal and biological active points of meridian structures have been proposed. The analysis of these models allows the specification of a list of gastric diseases for which reflex diagnostics and reflex therapy methods are most effective and also allows increasing the effectiveness of these procedures. It is shown that good results for the prediction and early diagnosis of diseases from the reaction energy of biologically active points (acupuncture points) are obtained using fuzzy logic decision making.

Heterogeneity of skin oxygen density distribution: relation to location of acupuncture points

To investigate possible functions of acupuncture, oxygen (O(2)) levels were measured at two different acupuncture points (APs) [Hegu and Laogong] and at the corresponding non-APs (3-5 cm away from the APs) in real time using a high sensitive electrochemical O(2) microsensor. The sensor had a small planar sensing platinum disk (diameter = 25 microm) and therefore was able to monitor the O(2) levels at the localized APs. Significantly higher O(2) levels (p < 0.05) were observed at both APs (n = 5, without exceptions) in comparison with the non-APs. Sufficient sensor sensitivity to distinguish the O(2) level differences between APs and non-APs was achieved. This research provides useful information on possible functions of APs and meridians.

An 8-channel skin impedance measurement system for acupuncture research

An 8-channel skin impedance measurement system for acupuncture research has been developed. The underlying model of the skin used is a parallel R & C network. Pulses are used to measure the R and C values. The measurement circuit is time multiplexed across the 8 channels at the rate of 2 measurements per second, leading to a complete set of measurements every 4 seconds. In static tests, the system has been operational for over 2 days of continuous measurements. In preliminary human tests, measurements over 2 hours have been collected per subject.

Electrical properties of acupuncture points and meridians: a systematic review

According to conventional wisdom within the acupuncture community, acupuncture points and meridians are special conduits for electrical signals. This view gained popularity after anecdotal reports and clinical studies asserted that these anatomical structures are characterized by lower electrical impedance compared to adjacent controls. To ascertain whether evidence exists to support or refute this claim, we conducted a systematic review of studies directly evaluating the electrical characteristics of acupuncture structures and appropriate controls. We searched seven electronic databases until August 2007, hand-searched references, and consulted technical experts. We limited the review to primary data human studies published in English. A quality scoring system was created and employed for this review. A total of 16 articles representing 18 studies met inclusion criteria: 9 examining acupuncture points and 9 examining meridians. Five out of 9 point studies showed positive association between acupuncture points and lower electrical resistance and impedance, while 7 out of 9 meridian studies showed positive association between acupuncture meridians and lower electrical impedance and higher capacitance. The studies were generally poor in quality and limited by small sample size and multiple confounders. Based on this review, the evidence does not conclusively support the claim that acupuncture points or meridians are electrically distinguishable. However, the preliminary findings are suggestive and offer future directions for research based on in-depth interpretation of the data.

Electrical characterization of acupuncture points: technical issues and challenges

Acupuncture points are frequently described as having distinct electrical properties. These properties include increased conductance, reduced impedance and resistance, increased capacitance, and elevated electrical potential compared to adjacent nonacupuncture points. Commercial electrodiagnostic devices have used this assertion as a means to localize and analyze acupuncture points for diagnostic purposes. Yet, the electrical characterization of acupuncture points is associated with important technical issues that are often overlooked. Electrode polarizability, stratum corneum impedance, presence of sweat glands, choice of contact medium, electrode geometry, and other factors contribute to the final electrodermal reading and may cause doubts about the validity of available electrodiagnostic devices. The goal of this review is to help researchers and clinicians understand these factors affecting electrodermal readings, to make apparent the difficulties and challenges confronting electrodermal readings, and to increase understanding about how these possible associations can be interpreted and understood from the perspective of biology.

Electrical skin impedance at acupuncture points

OBJECTIVES

To test whether electrical skin impedance at each of three acupuncture points (APs) is significantly lower than at nearby sites on the meridian (MP) and off the meridian (NP).

DESIGN

Two instruments - Prognos (MedPrevent GmbH, Waldershof, Germany), a constant-current (DC) device, and PT Probe (designed for this study), a 100-Hz sinusoidal-current (AC) device-were used to record electrical impedance at three APs (right Gallbladder 14, right Pericardium 8, and left Triple Energizer 1), and two control sites for each AP. Each AP, MP, and NP was measured four times in random order with each device.

SETTING

The study was conducted over a period of 4 days at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine (OCOM).

SUBJECTS

Twenty (20) healthy adults (14 women and 6 men), all recruited from the OCOM student body and faculty, participated in the study.

RESULTS

The Prognos measurements had an intraclass correlation (ICC) = 0.84 and coefficient of variation (CV) = 0.43. The PT Probe had ICC = 0.81 and CV = 0.31. Impedance values at APs were not significantly less than at MPs or NPs. Impedance values at MPs were also not significantly less than NPs, although their individual p values were <0.05 in 4 of 6 cases. There was a significant trend of increasing impedance with repeated measurements with both the Prognos (p =0.003) and the PT Probe (p= 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Within the reliability limits of our study methods, none of the three APs tested has lower skin impedance than at either of the nearby control points. These results are not consistent with previous studies that detected lower skin impedance at APs than nearby sites. Further study is necessary to determine whether MPs have lower skin impedance than nearby NPs. Our study suggests caution is warranted when developing, using, and interpreting results from electrodermal screening devices. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinically important and controversial hypothesis that APs are sites of lower impedance.

Skin impedance measurements for acupuncture research: development of a continuous recording system

Skin impedance at acupuncture points (APs) has been used as a diagnostic/therapeutic aid for more than 50 years. Currently, researchers are evaluating the electrophysiologic properties of APs as a possible means of understanding acupuncture's mechanism. To comprehensively assess the diagnostic, therapeutic and mechanistic implications of acupuncture point skin impedance, a device capable of reliably recording impedances from 100 kΩ to 50 MΩ at multiple APs over extended time periods is needed. This article describes design considerations, development and testing of a single channel skin impedance system (hardware, control software and customized electrodes). The system was tested for accuracy against known resistors and capacitors. Two electrodes (the AMI and the ORI) were compared for reliability of recording over 30 min. Two APs (LU 9 and PC 6) and a nearby non-AP site were measured simultaneously in four individuals for 60 min. Our measurement system performed accurately (within 5%) against known resistors (580 kΩ–10 MΩ) and capacitors (10 nF–150 nF). Both the AMI electrode and the modified ORI electrode recorded skin impedance reliably on the volar surface of the forearm (r = 0.87 and r = 0.79, respectively). In four of four volunteers tested, skin impedance at LU 9 was less than at the nearby non-AP site. In three of four volunteers skin impedance was less at PC 6 than at the nearby non-AP site. We conclude that our system is a suitable device upon which we can develop a fully automated multi-channel device capable of recording skin impedance at multiple APs simultaneously over 24 h.

Use of magnetic nanoparticles to visualize threadlike structures inside lymphatic vessels of rats

A novel application of fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles was made to visualize a new tissue which had not been detectable by using simple stereomicroscopes. This unfamiliar threadlike structure inside the lymphatic vessels of rats was demonstrated in vivo by injecting nanoparticles into lymph nodes and applying magnetic fields on the collecting lymph vessels so that the nanoparticles were taken up by the threadlike structures. Confocal laser scanning microscope images of cryosectioned specimens exhibited that the nanoparticles were absorbed more strongly by the threadlike structure than by the lymphatic vessels. Further examination using a transmission electron microscope revealed that the nanoparticles had been captured between the reticular fibers in the extracellular matrix of the threadlike structures. The emerging technology of nanoparticles not only allows the extremely elusive threadlike structures to be visualized but also is expected to provide a magnetically controllable means to investigate their physiological functions.

In vivo dc and ac measurements at acupuncture points in healthy and unhealthy people

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work was to compare in vivo measurements of direct current (dc) and alternating current (ac) obtained from acupuncture points in Ukrainian and Mexican residents.

METHODS

Measurements were made using the method of Voll. The participants were 43 healthy Ukrainian and 71 healthy Mexican residents aged between 20 and 30 years, as well as 24 Mexican patients with a clinical diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and 14 patients with a clinical diagnosis of allergy.

RESULTS

The results showed that dc measurements are not directly applicable to different populations. Thus, the dc resistance of the acupuncture points in the Mexican participants was 4-5 times larger than in the Ukrainians. In contrast, the capacitance of the two groups did not differ by more than 25%.

CONCLUSIONS

Impedance measurements from acupuncture points can be used as an efficient and prompt non-invasive method for diagnostic purposes.

Intercellular communication, NO and the biology of Chinese medicine

New multiple categories of health disciplines have become popular in the west and integration between the medicinal approaches has become essential. The hypothesis presented here suggests a novel integrative view that combines Western biochemistry with the Chinese medicinal concept of qi. The core for this hypothesis is that transmission of qi along the meridians is based on informational molecules that travel via an intercellular communication system. Acupuncture at specific points enhances the flow of the signaling molecules through this communication system. Nitric oxide is suggested as a prime candidate for such a signaling molecule in the meridian system. The biochemistry of nitric oxide can shed light on the biology underlying Chinese medicine while Chinese medicinal data can provide a clue to the sought after framework for nitric oxide.

Design and testing of low intensity laser biostimulator

Background

The non-invasive nature of laser biostimulation has made lasers an attractive alternative in Medical Acupuncture at the last 25 years. However, there is still an uncertainty as to whether they work or their effect is just placebo. Although a plethora of scientific papers published about the topic showing positive clinical results, there is still a lack of objective scientific proofs about the biostimulation effect of lasers in Medical Acupuncture. The objective of this work was to design and build a low cost portable laser device for stimulation of acupuncture points, considered here as small localized biosources (SLB), without stimulating any sensory nerves via shock or heat and to find out a suitable method for objectively evaluating its stimulating effect. The design is aimed for studying SLB potentials provoked by laser stimulus, in search for objective proofs of the biostimulation effect of lasers used in Medical Acupuncture.

Methods

The proposed biostimulator features two operational modes: program mode and stimulation mode and two output polarization modes: linearly and circularly polarized laser emission. In program mode, different user-defined stimulation protocols can be created and memorized. The laser output can be either continuous or pulse modulated. Each stimulation session consists of a pre-defined number of successive continuous or square pulse modulated sequences of laser emission. The variable parameters of the laser output are: average output power, pulse width, pulse period, and continuous or pulsed sequence duration and repetition period. In stimulation mode the stimulus is automatically applied according to the pre-programmed protocol. The laser source is 30 mW AlGaInP laser diode with an emission wavelength of 685 nm, driven by a highly integrated driver. The optical system designed for beam collimation and polarization change uses single collimating lens with large numerical aperture, linear polarizer and a quarter-wave retardation plate. The proposed method for testing the device efficiency employs a biofeedback from the subject by recording the biopotentials evoked by the laser stimulus at related distant SLB sites. Therefore measuring of SLB biopotentials caused by the stimulus would indicate that a biopotential has been evoked at the irradiated site and has propagated to the measurement sites, rather than being caused by local changes of the electrical skin conductivity.

Results

A prototype device was built according to the proposed design using relatively inexpensive and commercially available components. The laser output can be pulse modulated from 0.1 to 1000 Hz with a duty factor from 10 to 90 %. The average output power density can be adjusted in the range 24 – 480 mW/cm2, where the total irradiation is limited to 2 Joule per stimulation session. The device is controlled by an 8-bit RISC Flash microcontroller with internal RAM and EEPROM memory, which allows for a wide range of different stimulation protocols to be implemented and memorized. The integrated laser diode driver with its onboard light power control loop provides safe and consistent laser modulation. The prototype was tested on the right Tri-Heater (TH) acupuncture meridian according to the proposed method. Laser evoked potentials were recorded from most of the easily accessible SLB along the meridian under study. They appear like periodical spikes with a repetition rate from 0.05 to 10 Hz and amplitude range 0.1 – 1 mV.

Conclusion

The prototype's specifications were found to be better or comparable to those of other existing devices. It features low component count, small size and low power consumption. Because of the low power levels used the possibility of sensory nerve stimulation via the phenomenon of shock or heat is excluded. Thus senseless optical stimulation is achieved. The optical system presented offers simple and cost effective way for beam collimation and polarization change. The novel method proposed for testing the device efficiency allows for objectively recording of SLB potentials evoked by laser stimulus. Based on the biopotential records obtained with this method, a scientifically based conclusion can be drawn about the effectiveness of the commercially available devices for low-level laser therapy used in Medical Acupuncture. The prototype tests showed that with the biostimulator presented, SLB could be effectively stimulated at low power levels. However more studies are needed to derive a general conclusion about the SLB biostimulation mechanism of lasers and their most effective power and optical settings.

An active electrode for biopotential recording from small localized bio-sources

BACKGROUND

Laser bio-stimulation is a well-established procedure in Medical Acupuncture. Nevertheless there is still a confusion as to whether it works or the effect is just placebo. Although a plethora of scientific papers published, showing positive clinical results, there is still a lack of objective scientific proofs about the bio-stimulation effect of lasers used in Acupuncture. The objective of this work was to design and build a body surface electrode and an amplifier for biopotential recording from acupuncture points, considered here as small localized bio-sources (SLB). The design is aimed for studying SLB potentials provoked by laser stimulus, in search for objective proofs of the bio-stimulation effect of lasers used in Medical Acupuncture.

METHODS

The active electrode presented features a new adjustable anchoring system and fractionation of the biopotential amplifier between the electrode and the cabinet's location. The new adjustable electrode anchoring system is designed to reduce the electrode-skin contact impedance, its variation and motion artifacts. That is achieved by increasing the electrode-skin tension and decreasing its relative movement. Additionally the sensing element provides local constant skin stretching thus eliminating the contribution of the skin potential artifact. The electrode is attached to the skin by a double-sided adhesive pad, where the sensing element is a stainless steel, 4 mm in diameter. The fractionation of the biopotential amplifier is done by incorporating the amplifier's front-end op-amps at the electrodes, thus avoiding the use of extra buffers. The biopotential amplifier features two selectable modes of operation: semi-AC-mode with a -3 dB bandwidth of 0.32-1000 Hz and AC-mode with a bandwidth of 0.16-1000 Hz.

RESULTS

The average measured DC electrode-skin contact impedance of the proposed electrode was 450 kOmega, with electrode tension of 0.3 kg/cm2 on an unprepared skin of the inner forearm. The peak-to-peak noise voltage measured at the amplifier output, with input terminals connected to common, was 10 mVp-p, or 2 microVp-p referred to the input. The common-mode rejection ratio of the amplifier was 96 dB at 50 Hz, measured with imbalanced electrodes' impedances. The prototype was also tested practically and sample records were obtained after a low intensity SLB laser stimulation. All measurements showed almost a complete absence of 50 Hz interference, although no electrolyte gel or skin preparation was applied.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that the new active electrode presented significantly reduced the electrode-skin impedance, its variation and motion artifact influences. This allowed SLB signals with relatively high quality to be recorded without skin preparation. The design offers low noise and major reduction in parts, size and power consumption. The active electrode specifications were found to be better or at least comparable to those of other existing designs.

Acridine orange staining method to reveal the characteristic features of an intravascular threadlike structure

A threadlike structure in blood vessels that is considered part of the Bohghan duct system was first reported about 40 years ago. This structure has remained elusive since then due to the inability of other researchers to duplicate the original identification. In this study we identified the characteristic features of this threadlike structure in rats by the use of fluorescent microscope imaging of nuclei stained by acridine orange perfusion. The nuclei of the tissue that comprises the structure are rod-shaped, 10-20 microm long, and aligned in a broken-line striped fashion. The novel technique reported here can differentiate the intravascular threadlike structure from the fibrin strings that normally form during perfusion and can confound the observation procedure. The physiological function of the threadlike structure remains to be elucidated; however, further study may provide a new understanding of mammalian biology in general, and of acupuncture and Oriental medicine in particular.