Papers by Keyword: Acupuncture

Abstract: In order to promote the development of acupuncture technique and improve the effect of acupuncture, acupuncturists have innovated and produced many new acupuncture needles using suitable engineering materials. This article aims to show the progress of advance engineering materials in acupuncture needles. We searched the international database PubMed, EI, and the Chinese database CNKI, Wangfang. The MESH and Key words were: acupuncture needle, needle implement, acupuncture implement, float needle, new nine needles, fire needle, laser acupuncture. And we classified the new needles into 5 related parts: name, inventor, function, materials and application. In this study, we had summarized common used 13 needles and 15 materials. The mainly used needles were Stone Needle, Metal needle, Stainless steel needle, New nine needles, Magnetic pole needle and Floating-Acupuncture. The mainly used materials were Si Bin floating stone, stainless steel, magnet, molybdenum, tungsten .Stainless steel needle is the most frequently used in clinic. In conclusion, there are not many advance engineering materials applied in acupuncture needles. A few materials help to promote the development of acupuncture but they are not frequently used enough. The development of acupuncture needs more suitable materials to improve the function of needle. An ideal needle may be painless but thicker enough to manipulate, and produce some material effect to produce enough stimulating quantity.

Abstract: Quartz-based composites reinforced by acupuncture quartz fibers were prepared by liquid phase infiltration-in situ solidification process. Effects of different molding processes on the density, micro-structure, phase structure and mechanics properties of the composites were studied. The experimental results show that the composite materials prepared by the silica slurry as matrix and 10% silica sol as the interface layer have better performance: the density increased from 0.74g/cm³ to 1.58g/cm³; the tensile strength, flexural strength and compressive strength reached 32.2MPa, 72.6MPa and 116MPa respectively; it is worth noting that the micro-structure of the material is uniform and compact, and the fracture mode of the material is ductile fracture with the pull out of the fiber.

Abstract: In the present study, the patterns of phase synchronization in an acupuncturing task were investigated. Neiguan (PC6) and Shenmen (HT7) are the main acupoints, they are both the main points for heart diseases and insomnia, epilepsy, mental disorder. The task was divided up into the following parts, the resting condition; needling sensation; needling with power on for 20 minutes; needling retaining and needling extraction. The index of phase synchronization in different parts was calculated and compared. Phase synchronization was increased in alpha band in many cognitive, attention tasks. These findings suggest that the transient network of coupled cortical regions maybe mediated through neural synchronization. The result in this paper shows that during electro-acupuncture about 15 minutes, the index between the available electrodes in the hindbrain, especially after electrode CP6, and all the available electrodes in the brain increased. That means phase synchronization increased between the hindbrain regions and whole brain during the electrical-acupuncture about 15 minutes. It could be an evidence of regulating both the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system with stimulating these two points.

Abstract: The setting process of the needling filter felt by heat can control its flatness and cohesion and can ensure its filtering precision. Based on this, the new type of needling process and the new type of heat treatment technology were developed, the setting arc structure and heat preservation measures were designed, the main roller working system for setting and driving motor system were designed, and they have been put into production. The comparative experiment results show that this device overcomes such defects as surface roughness, easy deformation, breathable unevenness, low intensity and short cycle in the traditional filter felt, which can complete the two processes of extrusion and heat setting for once, and the filtration precision, setting efficiency and the rate of qualified products have improved obviously.

Abstract: Aimed at exploring the mechanism of acupuncture therapy, we develop functional brain networks using electroencephalogram (EEG) data, and use the methods cluster coefficient to analyze the functional networks. We develop the following result: during the acupuncture, the structure of network becomes tighter, the relativity grows stronger and the structure of the networks becomes complex. Our conclusion is that acupuncture is able to affect the firing properties of the central nervous system, and make the information transmission in the brain functional sections stronger.

Abstract: By analyzing the relationship between nanotechnology and medical science, especially nanotechnology and acupuncture, the application of nanomaterials for needling therapy, acupoint catgut embedding therapy, acupoint external application, acupoint injection therapy, and meridian point diagnosis were discussed. Nanomaterials will make the development of acupuncture possess an unprecedented domain. It’s pointed out that breakthrough will be achieved from the research of the application of nanomaterials on the development of nano-needles for needling therapy, nano-thread for acupoint catgut embedding therapy, nano-medicine for acupoint external application therapy, nano-drug carrier for acupoint injection therapy, nano-sensor for meridian and acupoint diagnosis.