Exploration of new electroacupuncture needle material

Influence of acupuncture needle physical-chemical properties on needling quality

OBJECTIVES

This study analyzed the physical-chemical properties of three different brands of acupuncture needle, classified by acupuncturists as high (A), medium (B) and low (C) quality.

METHODS

Experienced acupuncturists, rated, in terms of perceived needling quality, three acupuncture needle brands as high (A), medium (B) and low (C) quality. Next, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images of the tip and surface finish of the needles of each brand were analyzed. A mechanical test was developed and performed to evaluate the compressive force required to insert the needles through a smooth surface (silicon). In addition, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and dispersive energy spectroscopy (DES) were conducted to analyze the material composition of the needles and presence of oxidation.

RESULTS

SEM images revealed that needle brands A and B presented a sharper tip and a more regular surface finish in comparison to brand C. In the insertion test, needle brands A and B had similar performance characteristics, with A requiring less force to penetrate the silicon device when compared to B, while C failed to penetrate the silicon and complete the test. The XRF analysis did not reveal any differences in material composition between the three brands. However, brand C exhibited particles embedded on the needle surface and DES confirmed oxidation.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that perceived needling quality by acupuncturists can be correlated with physical-chemical properties of the needles, especially those related to finishing quality of the tip and the surface of the needles.

Comparison of physical electrical conductivity and acupuncture de-qi sensation between stainless steel needling and supercritical fluid-treated needling

BACKGROUND

While acupuncture has been used for thousands of years, modern technology to develop new needle materials has rarely been discussed. We aim to explore a new acupuncture needle material and compare the differences in the needling sensations between the acupuncture needle surface treated with nitrogen applied supercritical fluid (SCF-N) and conventional stainless steel needles.

METHODS

This was a double-blind cohort study. The acupuncture needles were randomly used in this experiment, including the SCF-N-treated needles and the control stainless steel needles. LI 4 (Hegu) and LI 11 (Quchi) acupuncture points in the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian of Hand were treated. Physical electrical resistance, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectrometry, and visual analog scale (VAS) score including the sensations of soreness, numbness, distention, and heaviness were assessed.

RESULTS

The proportion of nitrogen (N) was significantly higher in the SCF-N-treated needles than in the stainless steel needles group (2.3 ± 0.2% vs 0.0 ± 0.0%, P < 0.01). The cumulative de-qi sensation score at the LI 4 Hegu acupoint (1.87 ± 1.88 vs 1.54 ± 1.62, P = 0.014), especially the sensation of soreness score (2.76 ± 2.06 vs 2.13 ± 1.85, P = 0.045), revealed statistically significant differences between both groups. SCF-N surface treatment of acupuncture needles may lower the electrical resistance more than the control stainless steel needles (24.67 ± 0.88 kW vs 26.45 ± 0.75 kW, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Acupuncture needles modified with SCF-N surface treatment can enhance de-qi sensations to improve electrical conductivity of the meridian and therapeutic effects on the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian of Hand. SCF-N surface treated needles can be as a new acupuncture needle material in the future.

Safety analysis of percutaneous needle electrolysis: a study of needle composition, morphology, and electrical resistance

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) consists of a galvanic current combined with the insertion of a solid needle into the tissues of the musculoskeletal system. The application of a galvanic current through a needle can alter the morphology and composition during treatment application. This procedure may also provoke a localized temperature increase.

AIM

The aim was to evaluate the safety of the PNE procedure by analyzing possible alterations of the needles employed.

METHODS

Physio Invasiva^® and AguPunt EPI^® brand needles, commonly used for the application of this technique, were analyzed in response to three different treatment protocols. Temperature changes were evaluated with the needles immersed in a test tube containing Ringer's solution, and electrical resistance was evaluated with a multimeter. The morphology of the needles, pre- and post-treatment, was examined with a scanning electron microscope (FEI Quanta 600), and the composition of the needles was evaluated using RX diffusion with Oxford Instruments software.

RESULTS

Ringer's solution contained in the test tubes examined did not present temperature changes. No changes were observed in the needles under investigation with respect to electrical resistance, morphology, or composition with a protocol applying 3-mA intensity for 3 s and three applications. However, important morphological alterations were observed that affected needle composition after 50 applications (at 3 mA for 3 s).

CONCLUSION

PNE, applied according to conventional protocols, appeared to be safe and athermal, and did not provoke a loss of metal particles or modify the morphology of the needles used when studied in vitro.

Development of Neuromonitoring Pedicle Screw - Results of Electrical Resistance and Neurophysiologic Test in Pig Model

Objective

To analyze the electrical resistance of a newly developed neuromonitoring pedicle screw (Neuro-PS) and to verify the electrophysiologic properties of the Neuro-PS in a pig model.

Methods

We developed 2 types of the Neuro-PS in which a gold lead was located internally (type I) and externally (type II). We measured the electrical resistance of the Neuro-PS and the conventional screw and analyzed the electrical thresholds of triggered EMG (t-EMG) of each screw by intentionally penetrating the medial pedicle wall and contacting the exiting nerve root in a pig model.

Results

The electrical resistances of the Neuro-PS were remarkably lower than that of the conventional screw. In electrophysiologic testing, only the type II Neuro-PS under the leadnerve contact condition showed a significantly lower stimulation threshold as compared to the conventional screw.

Conclusion

The Neuro-PS demonstrated lower electrical resistances than the conventional screw. The type II Neuro-PS under the lead-nerve contact condition showed a significantly lower stimulation threshold compared to that of the other screws in the t-EMG test.

Meridian study on the response current affected by electrical pulse and acupuncture

Acupuncture and its meridians are important components of traditional Chinese medicine, and numerous opinions have been previously expressed regarding these meridians. This study aims to explore the phenomenon of meridians from the perspective of electronic physics by studying these meridians for the response current affected by electrical pulse and acupuncture. In this study, acupuncture which applies an electrical pulse was used to research the physical properties of the meridians. Different kinds of pulses were applied to the human body to realize abnormal electrical signals. Comparing these electrical measurement results with the isothermal transient ionic current (ITIC) theory, we found that the transmission of meridian messages may be related to ion conduction. The movement of ions induced by acupuncture and electrical stimulation can lead to drift and diffusion currents through the meridians. The ionic conduction of meridian hypothesis is proved in that the substances delivered by meridians are in fact ions.

Biological safety of Electroacupuncture with STS316 needles

Background

Electroacupuncture (EA) is often used in clinical settings due to its analgesic effect, but its safety has not been verified due to the lack of clear criteria. This study examined the critical range of the corrosion of stainless steel types STS304 and STS316, which have been used clinically, and the relationship between needle corrosion and cell necrosis.

Method

The critical point of corrosion for STS304 and STS316 was identified by varying the time, frequency, and stimulation intensity. In a tissue necrosis experiment, EA stimulation was applied to rats using STS316 needles with different thicknesses at maximum intensity for 60 min, and the presence of corrosion and tissue necrosis was determined. A cytotoxicity experiment was also conducted and assessed the needles and tissue necrosis.

Results

The results showed that STS316 was more stable than STS304 and that only coated needles corroded. Furthermore, tissue necrosis was observed regardless of corrosion, and slight cell necrosis was associated with needles with corrosion.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that non-coated STS316 was the most stable for EA stimulation and that corrosion byproducts and cell necrosis were not directly related.

Effects of pretreatment with a combination of melatonin and electroacupuncture in a rat model of transient focal cerebral ischemia

Both melatonin and electroacupuncture (EA) have been suggested to be effective treatments against stroke. However, it is unknown whether a combination of these two therapies could be beneficial against transient focal cerebral ischemia. The present study investigated the effects of pretreatment of a combination of melatonin and EA in a rat model of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). After pretreatment of melatonin plus EA (MEA), transient MCAO was induced for 90 minutes in male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The neurological deficit score, brain infarct volume, cerebral edema ratio, neuronal inflammation, and apoptosis were evaluated 24 hours after transient MCAO. The expression of related inflammatory and apoptotic mediators in the brain was also investigated. The results showed that MEA improved neurological outcome, reduced brain infarct volume, and inhibited neuronal inflammation as well as apoptosis 24 hours after transient MCAO. The beneficial effects may derive from downregulation of proinflammatory and proapoptotic mediators and upregulation of antiapoptotic mediators. Thus, these results suggest a preventive effect of pretreatment of MEA on transient focal cerebral ischemia.