Abstract
Objectives : Electroacupuncture is widely used because of its diverse curative influence. However, its electrical safety is not guaranteed when applied on the human body. Therefore, in this study, we did research on the corrosiveness of electroacupuncture when applied on the body fluid. Methods : We did research using acupuncture needles which were made of STS304 or STS316 and which were coated or not coated in silicone. They were 0.25 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length. We immersed them to the depth of about 1cm in Hank's Solution and gave a stimulus in 120 Hz for 60 minutes. Then, we measured the pH of Hank's solution and mass of needles and observed their shape. Results : Acupuncture needles which were made of STS304 corroded more easily than those which were made of STS316 when they were applied on the human body. Acupuncture needles which were coated in silicone corroded much more easily than those which were not coated in silicone when they were applied on the body fluid. Conclusions : In this study, we did research on the corrosiveness of electroacupuncture when it is applied on the body fluid using several acupuncture needles. We made a conclusion that when acupuncture needles were applied on the body fluid, the coated one made of STS304 corrodes more easily than the uncoated one made of STS316. We hope that additional further researches on the effect of the corrosiveness of an acupuncture needle will be carried out.
