• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.195-219
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• 2015

Acupuncture therapy has been proved to be effective for diverse diseases, symptoms, and conditions in numerous clinical trials. The growing popularity of acupuncture therapy has triggered the development of modern acupuncture-like stimulation devices (ASDs), which are equivalent or superior to manual acupuncture with respect to safety, decreased risk of infection, and facilitation of clinical trials. Here, we aim to summarize the research on modern ASDs, with a focus on featured devices undergoing active research and their effectiveness and target symptoms, along with annual publication rates. We searched the popular electronic databases Medline, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, and analyzed English-language studies on humans. Thereby, a total of 728 studies were identified, of which 195 studies met our inclusion criteria. Electrical stimulators were found to be the earliest and most widely studied devices (133 articles), followed by laser (44 articles), magnetic (16 articles), and ultrasound (2 articles) stimulators. A total of 114 studies used randomized controlled trials, and 109 studies reported therapeutic benefits. The majority of the studies (32%) focused on analgesia and pain-relief effects, followed by effects on brain activity (16%). All types of the reviewed ASDs were associated with increasing annual publication trends; specifically, the annual growth in publications regarding noninvasive stimulation methods was more rapid than that regarding invasive methods. Based on this observation, we anticipate that the noninvasive or minimally invasive ASDs will become more popular in acupuncture therapy.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.177-181
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• 2013

It is known that ultrasound affects action potentials in neurons, but the underlying principles of ultrasonic neural stimulation are not clearly elucidated yet. In this study, we measured the action potentials of rat hippocampal neurons cultured on multi-electrode arrays during ultrasound stimulation. From most of electrodes, it was observed that the ultrasound stimulation increased the frequencies of action potentials (i.e., spikes) during ultrasound stimulation.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.198-206
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• 2022

Objective: This study was to investigate the effect of a lumbar stabilization exercise program accompanied by proprioceptive stimulation in women in their 20s with low back pain. Design: A randomized controlled trial Methods: A total of 30 women in their 20s with low back pain were selected and randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. Both groups performed a lumbar stabilization exercise program, and only the experimental group applied for a stabilization exercise program with proprioceptive stimulation. The exercise program lasted 60 minutes at a time, 3 times a week, for 4 weeks. The measurement tools used were the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Korean version of the Oswestry Disability Index (K-ODI), the lumbar alignment, and the transverse abdominis(TrA) muscle thickness and contraction ratio. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in NRS, K-ODI, and muscle thickness before and after the experiment (p<0.05). The lumbar alignment and contraction ratio at the time of contraction of TrA in the experimental group was statistically significantly increased, and there was also a significant difference in the difference between the two groups (p<0.05). Conclusions: The lumbar stabilization exercise program with proprioceptive stimulation reduced pain, improved low back pain induced dysfunction, and increased TrA muscle thickness and contraction ratio. Therefore, it can be an effective therapeutic exercise program for women in their 20s with LBP.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.85-94
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• 2021

Objectives : Pulse diagnosis is one of the main diagnostic methods of Korean Medicine that understands the patient's condition and illness by reading changes in the patient's pulse, which is described in terms of pulse condition While they are described in detail in medical texts, it is difficult to grasp their true nature, as the written descriptions fail to do justice to the experience of pulse taking it tries to convey. As a way to approach pulse condition the effect of the body's tension on the radial vein was measured using an ultrasonic device, after which the measured changes and how they could be reflected in pulse condition were studied. In other words, changes in the radial vein following induced tension were analyzed. Methods : 1) The thickness of the subject's radial vein was measured using a linear probe of an ultrasonic device[LOGIQ 5 Basic, GE, USA]. 2) Fatigue level was increased through artificial stimulation using the Gripmeter[ks-301, Lavisen, Korea]. 3) Thickness of the radial vein post tension induction was measured. 4) The results were analyzed with the Tukey test or paired t-test as post hoc tests. Results : Thickness of the radial vein of the subject pre- and post- Gripmeter stimulation decreased with significance. Conclusions : Constriction of the radial vein that happened after tension induction could be linked to the Tight Pulse[緊脈] that is related to patterns of contraction and pulling.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.52 no.11
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• pp.127-134
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• 2015

Tissue stimulation technique using ultrasound has been continuously studied and developed. Recently, as a increment of interests for obesity treatment and cosmetic care, a various studies on ultrasonic fat emulsification has been conducted. In this study, the fat emulsification adapted ultrasonic transducer was designed. And using designed transducer, the simulation for the shape of focal area and thermal degradation region was conducted. The dimensions were verified by the simulation results. And the effectiveness was confirmed by evaluating measured radiation characteristic and heating characteristic. In addition, we estimated the ultrasonic heating characteristics in composite structure medium. The shape of focal point and heating characteristic of the proposed transducer were determined to be sufficient to emulsify the fat. The results of this study are considered to be used as basic research in more efficient and safe ultrasonic fat removal.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.29 no.6 s.237
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• pp.787-794
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• 2005

Nowadays chronic degenerative diseases such as arthritis are increasing rapidly, even though acute infectious diseases are decreasing due to the advance of modern medicine. Although many of remedies are developed for arthritis healing, there is no precise medical prescription, and pathogenesis is not examined exactly. In this study, we confirmed gene expression of BMP 1A, BMP 2B, osteonectin and MGP which are genes related with bone formation in osteoblast by using ultrasonic stimulation. Through this study, we also evaluated the fact that ultrasound could be applied to arthritis healing by making activated osteoblast induce remodeling of cartilage. As a result of this research, BMP 2B and MGP have higher rates of expression in specific ultrasound mode. In conclusion, it is expected that ultrasound could be used efficiently for healing arthritis if we use ultrasounds according to symptoms of arthritis on reasonable terms.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.113-126
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• 2011

Objectives : We have examined and analyzed patents regarding acupuncture point stimulating methods in order to understand the stimulation technology and research trends of acupuncture points. Methods : We searched and analyzed the total of 135 on-line DB based patents under time limit of Dec, 2010. Results : According to the analyzed results, non-invasive method is used more than invasive method. Electric stimulation is used more than any other method, such as magnetic, ionic, laser, light, ultrasonic, water, Far IR and thermal stimulation. There are numbers of cases such as rejected during screening procedure, waived before the screening, of failed to renew its registrational status which outnumber those patents registered and maintained. Conclusions : These data suggest that we need to move away from using one side method such as non-invasive and electrical method. Thus follow-up service is recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.195-203
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• 2012

Dental implants using titanium have greatly advanced through the improvement of designs and surface treatments. Nonetheless, the anatomical limits and physiological changes of the patient are still regarded as obstacles in increasing the success rate of implants further, even with the enhancement of implant products. So there have been many efforts to overcome these limits. The intrinsic potential for bone regeneration can be stimulated through adjuvant treatments with the continuous improvement of implant properties, and this can play an important role in achieving optimum osseointegration toward peripheral bone tissue and securing ultimate long-term implant stability in standard surgical procedures. For this purpose, various chemical, biological, or biophysical measures were developed such as bone grafts, materials, pharmacological agents, growth factors, and bone formation proteins. The biophysical stimulation of bone union includes non-invasive and safe methods. In the beginning, it was developed as a method to enhance the healing of fractures, but later evolved into Pulsed Electromagnetic Field, Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound, and Low-Level Laser Therapy. Their beneficial effects were confirmed in many studies. This study sought to examine bone-implant union and its latest trend as well as the biophysical stimulation method to enhance the union. In particular, this study suggested the enhancement of the function of cells and tissues under a disadvantageous bone metabolism environment through such adjunctive stimulation. This study is expected to serve as a treatment guideline for implant-bone union under unfavorable circumstances caused by systemic diseases hampering bone metabolism or the host environment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2021.10a
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• pp.397-399
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• 2021

In this study, a basic study on the development of a multi-stimulation system was conducted to suppress lung cancer cell proliferation. Stimulation was applied to lung cancer cells using a photo-stimulating system and ultrasonic waves that generate a specific frequency, and the effect of inhibiting proliferation of cells was imaged and quantitatively evaluated. As a result of the experiment, when a single LED, single ultrasound stimulus were applied and ultrasound and LED stimuli were applied at the same time, meaningful results were shown in the proliferation rate of lung cancer cells.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.145-150
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• 2004

In this study for the prosthesis of the spatial and directional sensation for the blind, an ultrasonic scale system and an electronic compass system were developed. The ultrasonic scale utilizes 40 ㎑ sound for the detection of distance to the barrier and the spatial information is transferred to the blind by various sound interval, which is proportional to the distance. The electronic compass utilizes a magnetoresistor bridge for the detection of the magnetic field strength of earth in horizontal plane. The information for the direction of the earth's north is transferred by tactile stimuli by a vibrating motor band around upper head. Detection distance of the ultrasonic scale is ranged from 0.065 to 3.26 meters, and the detection angle resolution of the electronic compass is about 22.5 degrees. The integrated system of the ultrasonic scale and the electronic compass was developed. Distance information is converted to the location of the tactile stimulation along the clockwise direction by a vibrating motor according to the distance installed around upper head of the blind. The intent of this article is to provide an practical prosthetic tool of spatial and directional sensation for the blind. Daily practice of this system will improve the usefulness of this system.