• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.58 no.2
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• pp.422-429
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• 2009

Meridian which used as the basic theory of acupuncture treatment, is an important functional connection system of acupuncture point in oriental medicine. Yangdorak and EAV have lack of precision because of using 2-electrode method, occurring high non-uniformed current density and electrode contact status on electrode placement spot. Therefore we implemented a meridian impedance measurement system for measuring meridian impedance using 4-electrode method. In order to confirm the precision of developed system, we made an constant current characteristic experiment using standard resistor. As a results of clinical study with 18 subjects, the meridian impedance showed that reproductivity and repeatability of HT7 acupuncture point are $0.515[k{\Omega}]{\pm}0.000$(mean${\pm}$standard deviation) and $0.515[k{\Omega}]{\pm}0.002$, respectively. And reproductivity and repeatability of PC7 are $0.521[k{\Omega}]{\pm}0.000$ and $0.521[{\Omega}]{\pm}0.001$ respectively. The proposed system was stable and reliable. Therefore this study proved AC impedance method to valid in measuring meridian impedance, and also verified precision and repeatability of the proposed meridian impedance measurement system. The proposed system will serve as more effective method of measuring meridian phenomena as a bioelectric signal in clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.55-67
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• 2007

Objectives : The repeatability and reproducibility of MIR-2, a newly developed impedance measurement device (four electrode method) on skin are of the meridian system, is evaluated and a method to improve the reliability is discussed. Methods : Multiple gage R&R studies were conducted for the impedance measurements over bilateral KI3 acupoint in ten participants by three assessors using MIR-2 device. Gage R&R studies were repeated after controlling the acupoint locating method or one value correction by replacing one assessor's outlying value with an average of the other assessors' values to explore any feasibility of improvement of measurement reliability. Results : Controlling acupoint locating method and replacing one value with an average of other assessors' value led to improved variation metrics in a gage R&R study. Conclusions : Measurement reliability can be improved by controlling measurement procedures or by using repeated measurement method, which will facilitate development of clinically applicable measurement device with reliability.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.4 no.1 s.4
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• pp.139-148
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• 1998

Measurement of different skin parameters are widely used in the practices and researches of the modern acupuncture. The most important parameter is conductance or impedance. For measurement, some researchers used D.C. and others used A.C. It has been experimentally shown that the acupuncture points and meridian lines have the characteristics of high potential, low electrical resistance, high capacitance, spontaneous sound production, spontaneous light production, and high temperature. The Purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Hapkok(LI-4, 合谷) on experimental frequency characteristics in Hapkok. The result of data analyses indicated that significant differences arise at frequency under 100Hz. We propose that development of Meridian detecting system or Meridian diagnosis system should be done using frequency under 100Hz.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.47-54
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• 2001

This study is to analyze the impedance response in human body by acoustic stimulation on acupoints and contrast parte; for objectification of the meridian substance. It is to verify meridian pathway and channel theory or bio-energy in body. This paper proposes to make an hypothesis about the underground water theory. The meridian has not tube or pipe line type channel but bio-energy flow along the channel similar to flowing pattern of underground water in body. It was analyzed the current characteristic or impedance response after acoustic stimulation by sound wave of 5 specific tones. The response characteristics of current stimulation are measured by the average current magnitude and variation ratio or meridian. The current variation ratio or Live Meridian(gung) 33.2%, Heart Meridian(sang) 30.7% Kidney Meridian (gak) 33.1%, Spleen Meridian(chi) 33.9%, Lung Meridian (wo) 30.7% are to be compared to contrast parts (non-acupoint and meridian). In experimental results, meridian is discrimination to non-meridian, and 5 vital meridians have a reciprocal relationship with sound wave of 5 specific tones.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.300-311
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• 2021

Background: So far there is no confidence in the basics of acupoint/meridian phenomena, specifically in spatial and temporal electrical manifestations in the skin. Methods: Using the skin electrodynamic introscopy, the skin areas of 32 × 64 mm² were monitored for spectral electrical impedance landscape with spatial resolution of 1 mm, at 2 kHz and 1 MHz frequencies. The detailed baseline and 2D test-induced 2 kHz-impedance phase dynamics and the 4-parameter time plots of dozens of individual points in the St32-34 regions were examined in a healthy participant and a patient with mild gastritis. Non-thermal stimuli were used: (1) (for the sick subject), microwaves and ultraviolet radiation applied alternately from opposite directions of the meridian; and (2) (for the healthy one) microwaves to St17, and cathodic/anodic stimulation of the outermost St45, alternately. Results: In both cases, the following phenomena have been observed: emergence of in-phase and/or antiphase coherent structures, exceeding the acupoint conditional size of 1 cm; collective movement along the meridian; reversible with a reversed stimulus; counter-directional dynamics of both whole structures and adjacent points; local abnormalities in sensitivity and dynamics of the 1 MHz and 2 kHz parameters indicating existence of different waveguide paths. Conclusion: It is assumed that these findings necessitate reconsideration of some basic methodological issues regarding neurogenic/acupuncture points as spatial and temporal phenomena; this requires development of an appropriate approach for identifying the acuzones patterns. These findings may be used for developing new approaches to personalized/controlled therapy/treatment.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2011

Objectives : The object of this study is to evaluate and develop the system that reflects acupoints electrical properties by the multi-frequency using the SPAC (Single Power Alternative Current) stimulation method based on BIA (Bioelectrical impedance method). Methods : The 12 channel meridian impedance measurement system (MIMS) was designed, which sets multi-frequency with 10 steps (1~10kHz). To check acupoints electrical properties, impedance of acupoints were measured from 11 acupoints selected from the LU and ST meridians. Results : Regarding distribution of measurement values by multi-frequencies, we found the lowest response at 1kHz was in common. But frequency bands which represent the highest response at each acupoint were various. Measurement values of each acupoint by multi-frequencies were expressed similar distribution (P<0.05). Also we could check same frequency band which showed the highest response at left/right equal acupoints (P<0.05). Conclusions : Through change of acupoints electrical properties by multi-frequency stimulation, we checked oriental medical diagnostic possibilities by using this system. We would progress variable clinical trials with this system for oriental medical diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.71-81
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• 2012

Objectives : The purpose of this paper was to suggest new diagnostic method that was to supersede the estimation of electrical properties at acupoints. Thus, we developed the multi- frequencies bioelectrical impedance measurement system so as to analyze the state of bio-ions in body fluid as body compositions, not skin impedance at acupoint. Methods : At low frequency, the current does not penetrate the cell membrane and at high frequency, the current passes through both intracellular and extracellular fluid because of the decreas of cell membrane impedance. To confirm the reflection of composition in extracellular fluid or intracellular fluid of segment such as acupoint, the system was developed to detect the acupoint potential between adjacent two points in the area of LU3, LU4 and LU9 using 5,50 and 200KHz. Results : The detected acupoint potential has been decreased according to elevation of frequency. As a result of correlation of left/right identical acupoint, we observed a high correlation of three types of acupoint potential at multi-frequencies. Moreover, we observed the low correlation at 5KHz, and that was a significant factor to be considered as unbalanced relationship of identical acupoints. Conclusions : On the basis of meridian theoretical point of view, we may infer the acupoint's physiological composition using the multi-frequencies bioelectrical impedance measurement system.

• CELLMED
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.9
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• 2011

Bioelectric impedance measurements have been reported to show significant variation between individuals. Different physiological conditions like thickened skin, obesity, and fluid retention can affect the impedance measurement. Therefore, it is important to learn what other factors can affect the measurements of impedance even in healthy individuals. Such information is a prerequisite for understanding the changes in impedance associated with acupuncture treatment. This study investigated the bio-impedance properties of tissue segments in the arms of a number of healthy subjects, so as to define the factors that might influence the variation of the bio-impedance data in acupuncture meridians studies. 51 healthy subjects were recruited through Liverpool Hospital, Sydney. Demographic data was collected from each subject including the age, sex, BMI, and time since most recent meal. Electrodes were applied to the forearms of each test subject. Measurements were done by a purpose-built Bio-Impedance Research Device (BIRD-I) which allowed the determination of core resistance (Rc) and core reactance (Xc) of each of the three meridian tissue segments on the anterior surface of the forearm. No significant difference was found in the core resistance attributable to age group, gender, BMI or meal intake. However, a statistically significant trend in increasing resistance from the radial to ulnar aspect of the forearm (p < 0.001) was found. No significant difference was found in the core resistance of test tissue segments among the 51 healthy subjects measured in this study. However, the trend of increasing core resistance from the radial to ulnar aspects of the arm deserves further investigation.

• Proceedings of the IEEK Conference
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• 1999.06a
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• pp.563-566
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• 1999

The functional diagnosis instrument should be preceded first to both the accurate selection of exact acupoint and discrimination. so the measuring and stimulating method are improved to SPAC pattern to evaluate impedance existed in the body. As a result, the resistance factor between skin and probe, the dipolization of cell was reduced so that the judgement of acupoint is advanced. After extraction of optimization parameter of SPAC pattern which the high discrimination efficiency and the lowest affection on the human body is controlled by using microprocessor to enhance conviction. The discrimination efficiency was confirmed by meridian visualization system. Also mechanism of probe was improved to increase efficiency of image recognition processing. The image of discriminated acupoint with probe is obtained by using a camera, the location on the tip of probe is recognized and processed. And then these are converted to virtual color by proportional to measuring current level of scan point on skin.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.717-729
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• 2013

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA) is a non-invasive and low-cost technique that estimates body composition based on the distribution of water and electrolytes in the body by analyzing body's electrical responses to source voltages. In this work, we carried out a systematic literature review on BIA researches in traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM). For comparison, firstly we introduced the concept and principle of BIA, and offered a general overview of research trends in western medical perspectives. We searched through the databases of Oriental Medicine Advanced Searching Integrated System and DataBase Periodical Information Academic for the articles published between 1994 and 2013, with keywords such as 'BIA', 'bioelectrical impedance' and 'impedance'. Among the rough-searched 274 articles, we finally selected 21 articles appropriate to the intended research field. The selected articles were categorized into diagnosis in Sasang medicine, impedance analysis in meridian system, and change of body composition after taking herbal medicine. We found that most of BIA researches in TEAM were preliminary and remained in the peripheral levels which is far behind the western medical research activities. Therefore, more efforts are needed to study BIA in association with major subjects such as pattern identification or physiological/pathological phenomena. In addition, methodological breakthrough of BIA is possible by applying the diagnostic concepts of the TEAM in relation to the balance of Qi and Blood.