ABSTRACT
To develop an insulated acupuncture needle with low resistance that causes little pain, insulated needles for acupuncture were prepared by electrodeposition of acrylic coatings such as acrylic/fluorine, acrylic/melamine, acrylic/urethane, and acrylic/epoxy resins. Wettability of these needles and resistance to insertion into muscle model (PVA Hydro-gel, Oil dispersed hydro-gel, and Pig muscle) and human tissue were investigated. Wettability of these coating films was estimated from contact angles of water droplets on the film coating. Resistance to insertion of these needles into Hydro-gel gradually increased with increases in their contact angles. Oil dispersed hydro-gel and Pig muscle showed inverse results. When these needles were inserted into human tissue, the acrylic/fluorine coated needle showed the least resistance and patients felt almost no pain.