• Textile Coloration and Finishing
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2010

Needle contamination was investigated using a test rig simulated the knitting points in the knitting machine in relation with the characteristics of knitting yarn such as yarn type and moisture contents. When used open-end yarn compared with combed and carded ring-spun yarns, the needle contamination was significantly increased because of the higher friction between yarn and needle by the fly and other impurities. Also Lower moisture content of the yarns aggravated the needle contamination. In addition knitting yarn breakage was substantially influenced by the higher needle contamination.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.359-364
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• 2014

This paper describes the development of needle type probe that measures temperature and injects medicine for both diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal pain syndrome (MPS). The size of trigger points is from several micrometers to millimeter. Therefore, it is required to develop a medical device that is capable of not only finding the trigger points by temperature measurement, but also injecting medicine at the exact location for treatment. To challenge these difficulties, thermocouple was fabricated on the surface of a needle using metal deposition process. Special type of stainless-constantan thermocouple was achieved from the stainless body of a needle itself and deposited constantan metal film. In particular, parylene coating enables to limit the temperature sensitive area to the end of the needle tip. Fabricated needle type probe produces $3.25mV/^{\circ}C$ of thermoelectric sensitivity and compared its performance with commercial T-type thermocouple in animal muscle sample.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.33-43
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• 2023

Objectives : Floating acupuncture (FA) is a kind of newly developed acupuncture technique that contains its own apparatus. The technique has unique points that the body of the acupuncture needle stays intradermal space and manipulation is performed by shaking the needle horizontally; after manipulation, part of the needle remained in the intradermal space for 2~3 days. FA is not a common acupuncture methodology while various clinical study claims its efficacy on musculoskeletal disorders. In this study, the authors aimed to enhance the use of FA by comparing related theories. Methods : The authors reviewed classics, books, and articles related to FA, Meridian Muscle (MM), Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS), and Wrist-Ankle Acupuncture (WAA), and compared its characteristics by related theory, related symptoms, apparatus, and performing procedures. Results : FA was related and had various common parts with MM, MPS, and WAA, however, there were unique parts in the manipulation, apparatus, and stimulation location. FA is based on MM and MPS which pointing 'ashi points' or 'trigger points' as a treating target while FA does not stimulate the points directly. FA also targets subcutaneous space by inserting the needle horizontally as WAA does, while FA remains the needle handle part in the subcutaneous area for 2~3 days for more stimulation. Conclusions : FA has a unique manipulation procedure and potential benefit for musculoskeletal disorders despite the crude theological base written by Fu himself. Thus, developing a new explanation and patient-friendly methodology/apparatus is required for further down-to-earth studies.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.238-243
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• 2018

Background: Various factors can alter the efficacy of acupuncture treatment, such as the location of points, manipulations, depth of insertion, needle retention time, and needle type. In this study, the effect of needle diameter on the efficacy of acupuncture treatment was quantitatively evaluated. Methods: Five acupuncture needles of different diameters used in clinical practice were compared. Force on the porcine tissue phantom was measured using a sensor. Lifting-thrusting and twisting-rotating movements were performed using a needle insertion-measurement system. After repeated measurements, force magnitude was calculated and compared. Following this, we correlated needle diameter and force magnitude during lifting-thrusting and twisting-rotating movements. Results: The force magnitude was significantly altered between needle diameters during lifting-thrusting movements, as shown by a significant positive correlation between needle diameter and force magnitude. In contrast, there was no difference in force magnitude with different needle diameters during twisting-rotating movements. Conclusion: Needle diameter can significantly affect stimuli and force magnitude dependent upon the type of manipulation. Research into the effect of other needle type characteristics and stimulation method is necessary to fully elucidate the role of acupuncture needle choice in treatment efficacy.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.67-71
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• 2005

Objectives : This study was conducted to observe the tip of needles which induce poor needle sensation upon injection of herbal acupuncture. Methods : Among the syringes used for herbal acupuncture, needles which cause poor sensation were collected and evaluated by SEM (scanning electron microscope) for changes in structure, existence of impure matters, physical damage, and etc. Results : 1. Various forms contributed to poor needle sensation. Bent needle body, damaged or crooked needle tip, and blunted tip 2. Poor needles could be made during the manufacturing process, during insertion of the needle into the vial(except for the lubricants), and repeated procedures with one needle at different regions. Conclusion : Poor needles induce unnecessary pain and discomfort not only to the patients but also to administrators during injection. Herbal acupuncture is a treatment technique injecting herbal extract on the meridian points, and strict quality check must be enforced to prevent occurrence of poor needles.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.87-94
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• 2013

Objectives : In this study, we intended to make the foundation of the development of acupuncture tissue model as comparing the needle sensation of six kinds of tissue models and Zusanli ($ST_{36}$) with the needle force measurement system. Methods : When practitioners did twisting-rotating acupuncture needle manipulation after inserting the needle into six kinds of tissue models, they quantified the similarity sense to the sensation of Zusanli ($ST_{36}$) with the NRS (Numeric Rating scale). As needle force measurement system did twisting-rotating Acupuncture needle manipulation after inserting needle into Zusanli ($ST_{36}$) of human and six kinds of tissue models, it can calculate the coefficient of viscosity by measuring the torsion friction. We compare the NRS of practitioners' needle sensation to the coefficient of viscosity of needle force measurement systems. Result : As practitioners' NRS assessment to quantify needle sensation, apple and cucumber showed 70% similarity to Zusanli ($ST_{36}$). As needle force measurement system's coefficient of viscosity, apple and cucumber's coefficient of viscosity were similar to Zusanli ($ST_{36}$)'s. Conclusions : In this study, We compared the practitioners' needle sensation of Zusanli ($ST_{36}$) and six kinds of tissue models with needle force measurement system that can quantify the needle sensation. As the result, we concluded that practitioners' needle sensation is similar to measured needle sensation. It seems that the acupuncture practice model implementing the needle sensation to specific acupuncture points can be built based on the system in this study.

• The Transactions of The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.604-608
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• 2010

An electric fan for cooling high density electronic devices is limited and operated in very low efficiency. The corona discharge is utilized as the driving mechanism for an ionic gas pump, which allows for air flow control and generation with low noise and no moving parts. These ideal characteristics of ionic pump give rise to variety applications. However, all of these applications would benefit from maximizing the flow velocities and yields of the ionic pump. In this study, a needle-mesh type ionic pump has been investigated by focusing on the radius of curvature of corona needle points elevating the ionic wind velocity and efficiency. It is found that the radius of curvature of the corona discharge needle point influences significantly to produce the ionic wind and efficiency. As a result, an elevated ionic wind velocity and increased ionic wind generation yield can be obtained by optimized the radius of curvature of the corona needle electrode.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2019

Background: The phrase "Nine Needles" refers to the 9 types of acupuncture needles describing their shapes, sizes, and uses in Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu. The aim of this study was to present 3D illustrations of the "Nine Types of Needles" based on Huangdi's Internal classic Ling-shu, taking into consideration the conformation and application of the Nine Needles. Methods: Sketches of the "Nine Needles" were based on references to those needles cited in Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu, the Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, and the Golden Mirror of Medicine. The computer programs Creo 3.0, Keyshot 5, Adobe Photoshop CS5, and Adobe Illustrator CS5 were used for 3D modelling and visualization. Results: Based on a review of Huangdi's Internal Classic Ling-shu, illustrations of the Spade needle, Round-Pointed needle, Pressure needle, Sharp-Edged needle, Sword-Shaped needle, Round-Sharp needle, Fine needle, Long needle, and Large needle, 3D models were created. The Spade needle had a sharp, large head, the Round-Pointed needle had an egg-shaped tip, and the Pressure needle had a blunt head like a grain of millet. The Sharp-Edged needle had a sharp blade with a triangular edge for bloodletting. The Sword-Shaped needle resembled a sword. The Round-Sharp needle resembled a horse's tail. The Fine needle and the Long needle had sharp points and thin bodies. The Large needle had a cylindrical shaft and rounded tip. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that 3D illustrations could be generated for the Nine Needles according to the descriptions and figures provided in the ancient literature.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.87-99
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• 2013

Objectives : The objective of this study is to find out the method and effects of fire needling on frozen shoulder in China. Methods : We searched journals using the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI) and PubMed. The keywords were a combination of "fire needling", "fire needle", "burning acupuncture", "frozen shoulder", "adhesive capsulitis", "periarthritis". Results : There were 23 studies finally selected, 7 were case control studies and 16 were case series studies. There were 9 out of 14 main meridians and 31 kinds of acupoints. The most frequently adopted meridians were LI, SI and TE. The most frequently used acupoints were $LI_{15}$, $SI_9$ and $TE_{14}$. Adjacent points were used more often than distant points. They usually heated the needle before insertion and needle retention was mostly not done. 7 case control studies showed that fire needling reported better results than the filiform needle or electro-acupuncture treatment. 15 case series studies reported a significant improvement in fire needling on frozen shoulder patients. Conclusions : There have been many studies regarding fire needling on frozen shoulder in China. Further studies should be required and these can be applied to clinical practices in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.139-149
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• 2019

Objectives : A dermal needle is one of the therapeutic method by stimulating or tapping on the certain points of skin. Recently, roller or stamp-needle have been applied to various diseases in combination with microneedle technology. In this study, we analyzed the trend of roller and stamp-needle in Korean patent. Methods : Electronic search for Korean patent of roller or stamp needle was performed in Korea Intellectual Property Right Information Service database to April, 2019. Results : Sixty seven patents (51, roller-needle; 15, stamp-needle; 1, both types of needle) met the inclusion criteria. According to patent details, 34 of 67 patents were skin stimulation, 14 patents were intended to increase the efficiency of drug delivery through skin stimulation, 16 patents combined skin stimulation with technologies such as electrode or high frequency, and three patents applied both electrode or high frequency stimulation, and drug application as well as physical skin stimulation. Each of these patents aims to increase the efficiency of the needle manufacturing process (n=24), to facilitate the use of tools or to increase the efficiency of the technology (n=61), or to increase the technical skill of the needle itself (n=23). Conclusions : This study confirms that technological advances were being made by combining various types of stimuli to dermal needle and there have been attempts to expand the scope of drug delivery in terms of application of dermal needle. In the future, more research and development is needed in order to apply the dermal needle to modern technology.