Bridging physics and biology in acupuncture: flexible multimodal bioelectronics for decoding the deqi...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Neuroscience
• Integrative Medicine

Background:

• Acupuncture standardization is hindered by subjective tactile feedback and patient sensations (Deqi).
• Conventional rigid sensors disrupt the Deqi microenvironment, causing signal distortion and artifacts.
• The Deqi microenvironment involves coupled mechanical, hemodynamic, biochemical, and electrophysiological factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of sensing technologies for acupuncture.
• To explore flexible, multimodal bioelectronics for quantifying needling kinematics and the Deqi microenvironment.
• To discuss computational approaches for data synthesis and clinical prognostication.

Main Methods:

• Review of advancements in flexible bioelectronic materials (nanomeshes, liquid metals, carbon networks).
• Description of in situ mapping capabilities for the Deqi microenvironment.
• Discussion of AI frameworks (graph neural networks, Transformers) for data analysis.

Main Results:

• Flexible bioelectronics enable non-disruptive quantification of manipulation dynamics.
• Conformal arrays allow real-time mapping of biomechanics, hemodynamics, metabolism, and electrophysiology.
• Mechanotransduction pathways link physical inputs to systemic physiological responses.
• AI can synchronize sensor data for a computable Deqi Index.

Conclusions:

• Flexible bioelectronics and AI can transition acupuncture to a data-driven intervention.
• Future progress requires scalable manufacturing, stable bio-interfaces, and closed-loop control.
• Integration with robotics and Digital Twins holds significant potential.