• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.12-23
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• 2002

Objective : Assuming That the Characteristic of Meridian System Has been Similar to This of Electric Potentials in Human Body And that Measurements of Electric Potential at Well(井穴) and Sea(合穴) Points in Branches of the Twelve Meridians(WSBTM) Will Be Representative of Measurements of the Twelve Meridians, to Measure the Electric Potentials of 21 Patients with Shoulder Lesions, And Aching of Shoulder and Arm(肩臂痛)(ASA), to Be Differences in Electric Potentials of Patients Between Before And After Acupuncture Treatment, And Then to Find out the Characteristic of Meridian System in Patients with Shoulder Lesions. Methods : Electric Potentials of Well And Sea Points in the Meridians in Twenty one Patients with ASA Diagnosed by Both x-ray And Self View on Pain at Shoulder And Arm were Repeatedly Measured by Physiograph(PowerLab) at Before And after Acupuncture Treatment, Respectively. Measurements of Those Electrical Potentials Were Analyzed by Factor Analysis. Results : The Electric Potentials of WSBTM At the Left Side Before Acupuncture Treatment Were Divided Into Five Factors, But Those After Acupuncture Treatment Were Done Into Four Factors. On The Other Hand Those At the Right Side Before Acupuncture Treatment Were Divided Into Four Factors, The Number of Factors After Acupuncture Treatment Was Five. Conclusions : In Conclusions, The Number of Factors Before Acupuncture Treatment Are Different from Those After Acupuncture Treatment. In the Results The Effect of Acupuncture Treatment May be Reflected in Measurements of Electric Potential at WSBTM.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.217-223
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• 2014

Objectives This study is on the implementation of the electric cauterizer with the hole for acupuncture to achieve the superposition effect of acupuncture-moxibustion therapies. Methods In this paper, we especially made a hole across the heat terminal of the electric cauterizer for acupuncture. Before the cauterization, the doctor treats a patient with needle. And after acupuncture, the heat terminal is to be superposed upon the needle along the hole to add the cauterization. Results There are 2 coupling methods that the heat terminal is to be superposed with the needle; one is the top-coupling and the other is side-coupling. The top-coupling means that the heat terminal is to be superposed upon the needle along the top of the needle, and side-coupling means that the heat terminal is to be superposed to the needle along the side of the needle. Conclusion This study was aimed to implement the electric cauterizer with the hole for acupuncture to achieve the superposition effect of acupuncture-moxibustion therapies. Not electric acupuncture but manual acupuncture is adopted. The electric cauterizer generates the heat $38{\sim}45^{\circ}C$. This heat is safe for skin not to burn. The electric cauterizer constitutes the smokeless moxa- pad which effects the skin DDS.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.251-257
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• 2003

Background and Purpose : We were to investigate whether simple and electric acupuncture can affect the colonic transit time in both normal persons and chronic constipation patients. Methods: Twenty one volunteers were divided into two groups; first, normal control group(N=12) who had normal defecation habits, second, chronic constipation group(N=13). Before acupuncture, colonic transit time was checked using radio-opaque markers. Then simple acupuncture was done at four acupoints(both ST36, LI4) and maintained for 15 minutes during 4 days. Electric acupuncture was done using same methods except for applying 2Hz electrical stimulation. Result : In the normal group, after simple acupuncture, each transit time in the total, right, left was not changed statistic significance compared to pre-acupuncture(P>0.05), but which of rectosigmoid colon shortened statistic significance(P<0.05). After Electric acupuncture, transit time of right colon was shortened(P<0.05), and extended(P>0.05) in rectosigmoid colon compared to pre-acupuncture and simple acupuncture. In constipation group, after simple acupuncture, only rectosigmoid colonic transit time shortened statistic significance compared to pre-acupuncture(P<0.05). After electric acupuncture, also the transit time of rectosigmoid colon was shortened statistic significance compared to pre-acupuncture(P<0.05), but not to simple acupuncture(P>0.05). Conclusion : In normal persons without constipation, acupuncture affect the colonic transit time differently to the methods of it. In chronic constipation group, simple and electric acupuncture only reduces the rectosigmoid colonic transit time statistically significant(P<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.1-19
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• 2004

Objectives : To understanding biological mechanism of acupuncture therapy, we have proposed a hypothesis. First of all, there exists electric property in meridian and meridian point. Second of all, energy flowing in meridian is related with electric property. Third of all, there is electronic interaction between the operator who performs acupuncture therapy and the receiver who is given acupuncture therapy. Forth of all, acupuncture effects may depend on the electric capacity which is transferred between the operator and the receiver via acupuncture needle. Methods : Under the hypothesis, we studied the effects of electric change in $ST_{37}(+)\;and\;ST_{39}(-)$ generated by Tanchim (彈鍼) manipulation which was stimulated at $ST_{36}$ point. And compared with data on the changes of electric change from the hand of the operator during acupuncture stimulation. Electric charge induced via acupuncture needle from the operator may be important factor that causes the changes of electric change in meridian and acupoint in the receiver. Therefore we investigated the changes of electric charge induced by the operator using Maclab 400 by the following methods. The one was in stable electric circle condition and the other was in unstable electric circle condition. Results : In this experiments, the changes of electric change from the stimulation type of Tanchim manipulation performed in our lab condition in acupuncture therapy was induced at least three factor, one was the difference of bio-potentials between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy, another was the depth of acupuncture insertion from the skin of the receiver, the other was an electromyogram of the receiver. Conclusion : The data imply that the first factor should make a capacitance current when the operator touched the acupuncture needle which was inserted in the receiver. Therefore, the results suggest that capacitance currents stimulus in electronic view may be important factor in acupuncture therapy between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.9-27
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• 2005

Objective : hypothesis. First of all, there exists electric property in meridian and meridian point. Second of all, energy flowing in meridian is related with electric property. Third of all, there is electronic interaction between the operator who performs acupuncture therapy and the receiver who is given acupuncture therapy. Forth of all, acupuncture effects may depend on the electric capacity which is transferred between the operator and the receiver via acupuncture needle. Methods : Under the hypothesis, I studied the effects of electric charge in ST37(+) and ST39(-) generated by Apchim (押鍼) manipulation which was stimulated at ST36 point. And compared with data on the changes of electric charge from the hand of the operator during acupuncture stimulation. Electric charge induced via acupuncture needle from the operator may be important factor that causes the changes of electric charge in meridian and acupoint in the receiver. Therefore we investigated the changes of electric charge induced by the operator using Maclab 400 by the following methods. The one was in stable electric circle condition and the other was in unstable electric circle condition. In this experiments, the changes of electric charge from the stimulation type of Apchim manipulation performed in our lab condition in acupuncture therapy was induced at least three factor, one was the difference of bio-potentials between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy, another was the depth of acupuncture insertion from the skin of the receiver the other was an electromyogram of the receiver. Results :The data imply that the first factor should make a capacitance current when the operator touched the acupuncture needle which was inserted in the receiver. Therefore, the results suggest that capacitance currents stimulus in electronic view may be important factor in acupuncture therapy between the operator and the receiver of acupuncture therapy.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.10 no.9
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• pp.1625-1632
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• 2006

We studied the effects or electric potential in ST37(+) and ST39(-) generated by various the manual art stimulus or acupuncture at ST36. And compared with data on the change of electric potential from hand of performer acupuncture therapy. Electric potential induced via acupuncture from performer may be important factor that is the initiation of electric potential changes in meridian and meridian point of being performer. The results for various manual art stimulus in acupuncture therapy was that four type of electro-wave observed. That is the capacitance currents type, sign wave type, triangle wave type and circle type triangle wave. And the change of electric potential ransfer from performer acupuncture therapy in stable electro-circle condition, were capacitance currents type. So we suggested that capacitance currents stimulus in electronic view may be important factor in acupuncture therapy between performer acupuncture therapy and being performer acupuncture therapy.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.11 no.12
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• pp.2335-2342
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• 2007

Laser stimulation has been widely studied and used in clinic. However, electrical response by laser stimulation on meridians has not been investigated. In this study, we compared electric potential of laser and acupuncture stimulation on meridians. We measured electric potential variation at acupoints(Samgan(LI3) and Hapgok(LI4)) on Large Intestine Meridian. In laser stimulation results, average peak electric potential is very low($7.53{\pm}3.44{\mu}V$) for before and after stimulation. However, acupuncture stimulation was performed in ground connection condition and resulted in huge variation of average peak electric potential($2.65{\pm}1.53mV$). That is, the intensity and pattern of electric potential were dependent on the ground connection condition and individual. Also, the electric potential pattern was very similar to the pattern of electric charge and discharge of capacitor. The acupuncture stimulation using a insulating needle resulted in lower average peak electric potential variation($0.25{\pm}0.16mV$) than that of acupuncture stimulation. It might present little electrical response of acupuncture stimulation using insulating needles. In point of electrical response, the laser stimulation was determined to be no acupuncture effect at meridian. Acupuncture stimulation seems to be most effective method to induce electrical response at meridians. The procedure and effect of acupuncture might be considered as energy consensus phenomenon by transportation of bio-ion charge between a practitioner and patient.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.52-56
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• 1992

For pain relief my collegue and I used thin acupuncture needles as electrodes in electric stimulation. The needles were inserted into a trigger point and into another point located in the same muscle instead of meridian points of electro-acupuncture. Low frequency electric stimulation was given through the needles to 130 patients for 15 min. The results were as follows In 25 acute sprain patients electric stimulation was given $3.14{\pm}1.12$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $83.00{\pm}6.77%$ (VAS). In 45 chronic sprain patients electric stimulation was given $5.51{\pm}1.38$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $70.22{\pm}8.98%$ (VAS). In 28 myofascial pain syndrome patients electric stimulation was given $6.22{\pm}1.25$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $66.48{\pm}8.75$(%). In 7 muscle contraction headache patients electric stimulation was given $4.14{\pm}1.57$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $75.00{\pm}9.57%$ (VAS). In 25 radiculopathy patients electric stimulation was given $4.73{\pm}1.131$ times and the pain was reduced on the average by $21.37{\pm}9.31%$ (VAS). We he conclude that electric stimulation therapy using acupuncture needles is very effective in acute sprain, chronic sprain, myofascial pain syndrome and muscle contraction headache. Any doctor with knows anatomy and trigger points can practice this method without studying oriental medicine or difficult acupuncture techniques.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.101-110
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• 2009

Objectives : We developed and proposed a guideline for safety and performance assessment of electric cupping apparatus(Class 2 medical device). Methods : We drafted the guideline for safety and performance assessment of electric cupping apparatus by referring the existing standards and guideline, based on online questionnaire for Korean medical doctors and measurement data from commercially available products. Physical dimension of cups and inner vacuum pressure were acquired for the measurement in order to achieve the purposes. Results : This guideline only can be applied to electric cupping apparatus for enhancing blood circulation by employing negative pressure generated by electricity. Seven items of appearance and label, operation test of pump, variation test of input electricity, vacuum level test, vacuum sustain test, cup-size dependent test, noise level test are suggested for evaluation subjects and methods required for electric cupping devices. Requirements for the design and development of electric cupping devices are suggested: vacuum level indicator, vacuum generation rate, pressure control, valve detachment stability, cup comparability, safety measure, surge protection, user friendliness, instruction for use (IFU). Conclusions : We proposed a guideline for safety and performance assessment of electric cupping apparatus to improve the quality of relating products and aid the commercialization of them, by aiming higher industrial competitiveness of the medical device sectors in Korea. Discussion with related institutes such as industry, academy and government is further required. Public hearings also need to be held prior to the establishment of a final guideline and standard.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.31-39
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• 2009

Objectives : To characterize the thermal properties of several Korean electric moxibustion apparatus and to suggest methods for improving their quality for related industry as well as the welfare of Korean. Methods : We reviewed previous literatures on traditional moxibustion to find necessary factors for electric moxibustion apparatus. We measured the thermal characteristics of electric moxibustion apparatus commercially available by using an automatic temperature acquisition system in a controlled environment. Uniformity and heat loss of the apparatus were also analysed. We followed the user's manuals of apparatus provided by manufacturers. Results : Temperature control of all apparatus could not be achieved by automatic manners. Most of them were dependent on user's discretion. Maximum temperatures obtained were barely in the therapeutic temperature of $40-45^{\circ}C$. Unnecessary heating of moxibustion parts was detected. Chemicals from moxa were not properly delivered to the human skin. Conclusions : Temperature control of all apparatus needs to be improved in terms of temperature setting, retention time and maximum temperature. Design should be altered to utilize pharmacological effects from moxa to obtain its maximum efficacy. User's manuals should be revised for its clarity.