Microwave propagation on acupuncture channels.

Quantitative studies on functional state of acupuncture points and meridians have been done mostly by electrical measurement that requires the contact of the electrode on skin and is subject to pressure, humidity, etc. In this study, a new modality of using microwave was investigated. Microwave energy in the frequency range of 250 approximately 550MHz was irradiated on an acupuncture point. Transmitted microwave energy along the meridian was measured at the next acupuncture point of the same meridian. Diabetic and cancer patients were compared with healthy persons. Normal group consisted of 50 healthy persons. Diabetic group included 50 diabetic patients. Breast cancer group had also 50 patients. All 12 meridians on both right and left hands and feet were measured. For the diabetic group, the microwave energy propagation in this frequency range was 1.417 dB lower along Lung channel and 1.601 dB higher along Spleen channel compared with the normal group regardless of sex and diabetic types. For cancer patients, the propagation was 1.620 dB lower along Liver channel and 1.245 dB higher along Kidney channel compared with the normal group. Microwave energy proved to be a potential diagnostic method.

Thermo-visual evaluation of the Yin-Tang acupuncture point for intracranial hypertension syndrome.

This study describes a thermo-visual method to diagnose intracranial hypertension syndrome that is caused by a high intracranial pressure by observing the relative temperature distribution around the "Yin-Tang" acupuncture point. Based on thermo-visual analysis of 3000 thermal images scanned by infrared thermal imaging system acquired from 1256 admitted patients, we found that a certain specific temperature distribution around the Yin-Tang acupuncture point was related with the degree of severity of intracranial hypertension syndrome. Thus, we claim that the evaluation of the relative temperature distribution around the Yin-Tang acupuncture point can be used to diagnose and control intracranial hypertension syndrome during medical treatments.