Advances in Medical Devices for Augmented Acupuncture Therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Traditional Chinese Medicine
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Acupuncture is a global traditional medicine for chronic diseases, involving complex mechanisms like the skin-neuro-immune axis.
• Traditional acupuncture has limitations including operational complexity, variable acupoint selection, long treatment times, and patient variability.
• There is a need for intelligent medical devices for precise and efficient modern acupuncture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce engineered acupuncture needles (EANs) as an advancement over traditional methods.
• To provide an overview of recent developments in EANs, covering materials, fabrication, and applications.
• To discuss the challenges and future directions for EAN technology.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of EANs using macroscopic mechanical etching, microscopic surface modification, and biomedical nanotechnology.
• Integration of drug delivery, electrical stimulation, and thermal stimulation technologies into acupuncture needles.
• Review of advancements in EAN materials, fabrication techniques, engineering, acupoint selection, and disease models.

Main Results:

• Engineered acupuncture needles (EANs) are developed with enhanced functionalities beyond traditional acupuncture.
• EANs incorporate advanced technologies for drug delivery, electrical, and thermal stimulation.
• The review covers diverse aspects of EANs, from materials to application in disease models.

Conclusions:

• Engineered acupuncture needles (EANs) represent a significant technological advancement in acupuncture therapy.
• EANs address limitations of traditional acupuncture, offering enhanced precision and efficiency.
• Further research into EANs holds promise for improved chronic disease management.