 |
Description  |
|
|
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to acupuncture devices and more
particularly to an electronic acupuncture point finder for use by a
physician to accurately locate the acupuncture points on a patient's body.
2. Background of Invention
The nascent interest by the western medical world in the art of Chinese
acupuncture has inspired a variety of electronic devices designed to aid
the western physician in the practice of this ancient art. The various
electronic devices have been particularly important as research tools for
the study of the physiological effects of acupuncture under controlled
conditions.
The present invention is an unique electronic device designed to allow the
western physician to accurately locate acupuncture points on the patient's
body. The body is known to have a large number of acupuncture points, 139
on one ear alone, and an experienced Chinese acupuncturist can locate each
with remarkable accuracy. The western physician, however, works from point
location charts and, unless he has years and perhaps a lifetime of
practice and experience, it is difficult for him to locate the points with
precision.
It is known that acupuncture points coincidence with points of low body
impedance. Electronic devices have been developed to locate these points,
however, the problem with these devices is that they are not accurate nor
are they reliable in that spurious low impedance areas of the skin can be
confused with acupuncture points. Generally, existing devices consist of
an oscillator tuned according to the impedance presented to the point
finder probe; as the probe is passed over an acupuncture point the pitch
of an audio indicator increases. The audio indicator always sounds and the
operator must determine which pitch changes correspond to acupuncture
points and which are simply spurious or residual in nature, and in
addition he must also determine the height of the pitch change for
accurately locating the point.
The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned problems by providing
an electronic acupuncture point finder which operates in an on/off mode
only giving a positive indication only when the point finder electrode
touches an acupuncture point, and wherein spurious changes of body
impedances are not indicated. Because of the on/off operation of the
present invention, acupuncture points can be easily and accurately located
by the physician.
Another disadvantage with existing point finder devices is that they have
been known to shock or otherwise cause patient discomfort. The present
invention overcomes this problem by providing an acupuncture point finder
which can operate on a single 9 volt d.c. battery. Indeed, the present
invention is of a compact, lightweight, and low power design which
provides portability and ease of operation in addition to this overall
safety consideration.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention is an electronic acupuncture point finder comprised
of a point finder probe and a grabber electrode formed to be secured to or
held by the patient. The point finder probe includes an insulated handle
portion and a point finder electrode for passing over a patient's skin. A
balancing network is electrically connected to the point finder and
grabber electrodes and has fixed impedance elements disposed such that the
body impedance presented between the points of the body contacted by the
point finder electrode and the grabber electrode is compared with the
impedance of the fixed impedance elements. An imbalance signal is produced
by the balancing network when an impedance different from the nominal body
impedance is presented to the point finder electrode being passed over the
patient's skin. Means is provided for detecting this imbalance signal and
a voltage supply means is provided for driving the balancing network.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic
acupuncture point finder wherein the body's acupuncture points can be
located with a high degree of accuracy and reliability.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic
acpuncture point finder wherein the detection means is operated in an
on/off mode only whereby variations of a continuous reading do not have to
be interpreted.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electronic
acupunture device which will not detect spurious variations in body
impedance when the point finder electrode is passed over the patient's
skin.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an
electronic acupuncture point finder which does not cause discomfort to the
patient.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an
electronic acupuncture point finder which is operated by a low d.c. power
supply and preferrably by a 9 volt dry cell battery.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an electronic
acupuncture point finder which is lightweight in design and convenient to
operate.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the
following description of the preferred embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the present invention showing the
control panel of the electronic acupuncture point finder.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the electrical circuit of the present
invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 3 shows the electrical circuit in
schematic form of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Point
finder probe 11 shown in the upper left corner of the figure is comprised
of a point finder electrode 13 and insulated handle portion 15. The handle
portion of the probe is gripped by the physician who operates the
invention by passing the point of the electrode lightly over the patient's
skin. A second electrode, grabber electrode 12, is also provided. This
electrode is preferrably formed to be held in the hand of the patient,
however, it is understood that it also could be formed to be secured to or
otherwise contact the patient's body so as to complete an electrical
circuit therethrough. The body impedance presented between electrodes 12
and 13 will depend on the placement of point finder electrode 13 on the
patient's body; as the point finder electrode is passed over the patient's
skin, the detected body impedance will usually vary somewhat around a
nominal magnitude with substantial variations sometimes occurring under
certain skin moisture conditions. The greatest variations in body
impedance, however, will be detected when the point finder electrode
contacts a body acupuncture point.
Electrodes 12 and 13 are connected to plug 19 through insulated wires 17;
plug 19 is removably insertable into jack 21 such that looking from jack
21 one sees the body impedance between the points of the body contacted by
electrodes 12 and 13.
Balancing network 23 is connected to output jack 21 through wires 34, 36,
and has fixed impedance elements disposed for comparison with the body
impedance seen at jack 21 such that a change in the body impedance at the
point finder electrode when it is passed over the patient's skin will
cause an imbalance between impedances, that is, an imbalance in the
balancing network. The fixed impedance elements of the balancing network
essentially include resistors 25, 27, 29, 31 and the internal resistance
38 of microammeter 33. Resistors 25, 27 preferrably have values of 6.8K
ohms and resistors 29, 31, 4.7K ohms. This balancing network together with
the body impedance can actually be viewed as a modified wheatstone bridge
wherein, as the body impedance presented to jack 21 changes from its
nominal value, the imbalance in the circuit will appear as an imbalance
signal across resistance 38. Means for detecting this imbalance circuit
include microammeter 33, and in addition audio and visual detection means
wired from the negative side of the microammeter at 40. The audio and
visual detection means are described more fully hereinbelow.
A voltage supply means 57 is provided and preferrably consists of a 9 volt
battery which is connected in parallel to balancing network 23; the
voltage supply means is activated by switch 59.
Amplifier circuit 43 is wired between the left hand elements of the
balancing network and the imbalance signal detection means. Preferrably
the amplifier circuit consists of a commercially available integrated
circuit linear operational amplifier, for example, an HEP C6052P having
eight leads as shown in FIG. 3. Lead 2 of the amplifier 43 is connected to
balancing resistors 25 and 27 through 1K surge resistor 45, and lead 3 of
amplifier 43 is wired to one side of output jack 21 through 1K surge
resistor 47; these two leads are in turn tied together by 0.01uf spark
killer capacitor 53. Two additional 0.01uf spark killer capacitors 49, 51
are provided as shown on the input side of the amplifier circuit. The
amplifier circuit is powered by voltage supply means 57 by connecting the
voltage supply means to terminals 4 and 7 as shown. The amplifier circuit
functions to both amplify the imbalance signal to a level suitable for
driving the detection circuits and to provide bistable on/off operation as
hereinafter described.
Circuit means is provided for adjusting the sensitivity of the balancing
network with respect to changes in the body impedance presented to jack 21
such that a detectable output from amplifier circuit 43 will only be
generated when the magnitude of a body impedance change exceeds a certain
threshold level. Specifically, the sensitivity adjustment means is
comprised of a two pot resistor 37 having a 0-1K trimmer resistor 39 and a
0-1M variable resistor 41. Generally, the 0-1K trimmer resistor is set by
the manufacturer whereas the 0-1M variable resistor will be externally
adjustable by the operator of the invention. The two main leads 50 and 52
of pot resistor 37 are connected through wires 34, 36 to voltage supply
means 57; the center tap leads 54 are connected through wire 38 and surge
resistor 47 to terminal 3 of amplifier circuit 43. It can be seen that the
voltage division is such that the voltage at terminal 3 of the amplifier
circuit can be adjusted relative to the voltage at terminal 2 by
adjustment of pot resistor 37 and that the terminal 3 voltage will also be
affected by the body impedance presented at jack 21 in that a decrease in
body impedance will be accompanied by a decrease in voltage at this
terminal. The commercial dual linear operational amplifier 43 is chosen
such that it will only amplify a signal at terminal 3 if it is of a
voltage smaller than the voltage at terminal 2. Thus, by adjusting pot
resistor 37, the voltage terminal 3 of the amplifier circuit can be
adjusted sufficiently above the voltage at terminal 2 such that only a
desired threshold change in the magnitude of the body impedance will
decrease the voltage at terminal 3 sufficiently to overcome the terminal 2
voltage. Such a threshold change would then effectively "turn on" the
amplifier circuit.
The output of amplifier circuit 43, which as stated above is a commercially
available integrated circuit, is taken from terminal 6 on the left side of
the chip. When in an off position, the output of the amplifier circuit at
terminal 6 will register a spurious positive voltage. Diode 55 is
connected in series with ammeter 33 for filtering out this spurious signal
thereby preventing it from affecting the meter; the meter thus zeros when
the amplifier circuit is in the off condition allowing meter movements
which occur when electrode 13 passes over an acupuncture point to be more
easily detected.
Further means for detecting the imbalance signal generated by contact with
an acupuncture point are provided to give the physician a further positive
and more easily discernable indication of the acupuncture point's
presence. Preferrably, both audio and visual indicators are provided
together with a circuit means for switching these indicators on when an
impedance change of suitable magnitude occurs to indicate the presence of
an acupuncture point. It is important to note that the present invention
contemplates that these additional indicators like ammeter 33 only operate
in an on or off mode whereby the physician does not have to interpret
between signals as he does in the existing oscillator type devices.
The circuits for the audio and visual indication means are shown in the
lower right hand corner of FIG. 3. The audio indicator is comprised of
pulse tone generator 61, again a commercially available integrated
circuit, for example, an Archer Type 555. External impedance elements are
shown to be wired to the pulse tone generator and these elements include
an 18K resistor 67 connected between terminals 7 and 8, a 1K resistor 69
connected between terminals 6 and 7, a 0.1uf capacitor connected between
terminals 1 and 2 and a 0-3K tone control pot 73 connected between
terminal 1 and the negative side of voltage supply means 57. By adjusting
the tone control pot, the physician can select a suitable frequency for
audio indication.
The output of the pulse tone generator taken from terminals 3 and 4 is
connected through wire 64, 66 to speaker 87. An earphone 89 is also
provided as an alternative to the speaker output; earphone plug 93,
connected by insulated wire 91 to earphone 89, removeably engages earphone
jack 95 which is wired in parallel to speaker 87. It is understood that
the speaker can be made to disengage from the output circuit when the
earphone plug is inserted into earphone jack.
The visual indicators are comprised of two lights 63, 65 of different
colors disposed such that the illumination of one color indicates the
presence of an acupuncture point and the illumination of the other color
indicates the absence of a acupuncture point. Indicating light 63,
preferrably red in color, is connected to voltage supply means 57 through
wires 68 and 70 and also through switch 79 of relay 75. With the relay
switch 79 in the open position shown, light 63 is illuminated because of
the completed circuit with voltage supply means 57. Light 65, which is
preferrably green in color, is similarly wired to voltage means 57 except
that it is instead wired to the opposite pole of relay switch 79 whereby
with the relay switch in the open position shown the light is not
illuminated since its circuit is open. When coil 77 of relay 75 is
energized, relay switch 79 closes the circuit of light 65 and
correspondingly opens the circuit to light 63.
It is also noted at this point that the switching of relay 75 which closes
the circuit to light 65 also activates the pulse tone generator 61 by
connecting the voltage supply means to the pulse tone generators terminal
8 through wire 72. With the relay switch in its normally open position,
this circuit is open thereby removing the voltage supply means from the
pulse tone generator. Therefore, it can be seen that when the relay 75 in
its normally open position, red light 63 is illuminated, green light 65 is
not illuminated, and the pulse tone generator 61 is inoperative. However,
when coil 77 is energized and relay 75 switched to an on or closed
position, green light 65 and the pulse tone generator 61 are switched to
an on condition and red light 63 is simultaneously switched to an off
condition.
The switching circuit means which operates the pulse tone generator and the
indicating lights in accordance with the presence or absence of an
acupuncture point is comprised of an PNP transistor 83, the base of which
is connected to the output of the operational amplifier 43 through 1K
resistor 85. The collector of transistor 83 is in turn connected to the
positive side of voltage supply means 57, and the emmitter is connected to
one end of relay coil 77. The opposite end of the relay coil is wired to
the negative terminal of the voltage supply means through 100 ohm resistor
81 which is provided as a current limiting resistor to protect relay 75,
preferrably a 6 volt d.c. relay. The switching circuit operates as
follows: In absence of a signal at the output of the dual linear
operational amplifier 43, that is at terminal 6 as shown in the drawings,
transistor 83 is non-conductive and therefore no current flows through
coil 77. In the absence of such a current flow, relay switch 79 is in the
normally off position as shown. When the change in body impedance is
sufficient to turn on amplifier circuit 43, the imbalance signal which
appears at terminal 6 turns transistor 83 on which in turn closes the
circuit to the voltage supply means causing current to flow through relay
coil 77. This in turn causes relay switch 79 to switch to the closed
position thereby activating both green light 65 and the pulse tone
generator 61 and simultaneously extinguishing red light 63. To the
physician operating the acupuncture point finder, the sound generated by
speaker 87, or earphone 89, and the illumination of green light 65 will
indicate that point finder electrode 13 has passed over a point of
sufficiently low body impedance to indicate the presence of a body
acupuncture point. If the body impedance change is not sufficient, that is
if there is only a spurious change of smaller magnitude, the voltage at
terminal 3 of the linear operational amplifier 43 will not be sufficient
to turn the amplifier on and thus produce an output at terminal 6. Hence,
under these conditions neither the pulse tone generator or green light
will be activated.
The overall operation of the circuit above described is best illustrated in
the block diagram of FIG. 2 of the drawings. Essentially the body
impedance as presented to the point finder and grabber electrodes is
presented to the balancing network and sensitivity control circuit. This
portion of the overall circuit determines whether there is a change from
the nominal body impedance of a patient of suitable magnitude to indicate
the presence of a acupuncture point, and upon determining that there is a
sufficient change generates an imbalance signal A which is amplified by
the amplification circuit. The amplified imbalanced signal B and C are fed
respectively to a meter read out and, by way of the switching circuit, to
the audio and video indication means. A single 9 volt DC power supply,
typically an ordinary dry cell flashlight battery, powers the entire
circuit of the electronic acupuncture point finder essentially as shown.
The control panel of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 and comprises all
adjustment and indication means in a convenient, easy to operate location.
As shown, the control panel comprises probe jack 21 for releasably
engaging the point finder probe and grabber electrode which can be
conveniently stored in a compartment, not shown, in the back of case 101.
Earphone jack 95 is for engaging earphone 89 which likewise can be stored
at the rear of the point finder case. Speaker 87 is suitably located as
shown, however, it is understood that the location of the speaker is a
matter of convenience in that it might also be placed on the top, sides or
even the rear of the case. Meter 33 is disposed as shown for easy viewing
and located below the meter are indication lights 63 and 65 which also can
be easily monitored by the physician. The power switch and sensitivity
control means are combined for convenience into knob 97. Finally, tone
control knob 103 is provided for adjusting the frequency of the pulse tone
generator of the audio indicator.
To operate the electronic acupuncture point finder of the present
invention, the physician first engages point finder probe 15 and grabber
electrode 12 by inserting plug 19 into probe jack 21; if the physician
wishes to use the earphone, the earphone can be simply engaged by
inserting plug 93 into earphone jack 95. The device is switched on by
turning knob 97 in a clockwise direction. Knob 97 is then set at some
arbitrary sensitivity value.
At this point the physician directs the patient to hold grabber electrode
12 in either hand; then by holding insulated portion 15 of point finder
probe 11, the physician can pass the electrode 13 of the point finder
probe lightly over the patient's skin in an area known to have one or more
acupuncture points. Normally the green light 63 will be illuminated;
however, when the point finder electrode passes over an acupuncture point
green light 63 will go off and red light 65 will come on, and
simultaneously a tone will be sounded through speaker 87. If upon passing
the point finder electrode over the patient's skin it is difficult to
achieve an indication in an area where an acupuncture point is known to
exist, the sensitivity of the device can be increased by further turning
knob 97 in a clockwise direction. On the other hand, if the tone and green
light 65 tend to go on and off eradically and too frequently, then this
indicates that the sensitivity has been set too high and that knob 97
should be adjusted in a counter clockwise direction. If the tone from the
speaker is displeasing or not particularly audible at the set frequency,
then this tone can be adjusted by turning knob 103. When the sensitivity
of the acupuncture finder is properly set, the physician can locate an
acupuncture point by noting the position of the tip of the point finder
electrode when he hears a tone or sees the green light 65 come on and the
red light 63 go off. In this manner with relatively little practice the
acupuncture points of a patient's body can be accurately located.
The present invention provides an electronic acupuncture point finder which
is reliable and which as stated accurately locates a patient's acupuncture
points. The invention filters out spurious body impedance changes and
operates in an on/off mode thereby eliminating the need for the operator
to interpret pitch changes and intensities as is common with existing
devices. The present invention has the additional advantage of being a low
powered device which will not cause discomfort to the patient and which is
relatively compact for portability and convenience of operation.
Though the present invention has been described above in considerable
detail, it is not intended that it be limited to such detail, except as
may be necessitated by the appended claims.
* * * * *
|
|
 |
|
 |
Description |
|
