Study of Mechanism and Quantification of Acu-scope

• Main Authors: BAU, Jian-Guo, 鮑建國
• Other Authors: WANG, Wei-Kung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2003
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/96423826147067872458

博士 === 國立臺灣大學 === 物理學研究所 === 91 === In 1980’s, a resonance theory was developed to describe the behavior of the pulse for the blood pressure wave. Based on the resonance theory, pulse analysis was built to obtain the information of the energy distribution in the whole body. On the other hand, as a company of the pulse analysis, an integrated diagnosis, a method for the functional diagnosis of specific tissue is still needed. EAV (Electro-Acupuncture according to Dr. Voll), a widespread method was used in Homeopathy to diagnose “energy” by measuring the skin impedance of specific acupuncture points. Based on previous clinical and fundamental studies of the pulse analysis and EAV, I aim at building the working principles from physics to physiology and developing the quantitative analysis of Acu-scope for the “local” diagnosis. In chapter two, “resonance theory and pulse analysis”, the idea of bio-assay is applied to study the effect of eight herbs used in Chinese medicine. As the prediction of the resonance theory, all eight spleen-meridian-related herbs increase the third harmonic proportion of blood pressure wave significantly. The results not only provide pharmacological foundation for Chinese herbs, but also give further supports for the efficiency of the resonance theory and the pulse analysis. In chapter three, we standardize and quantify EAV by applying subcutaneous measuring electrodes and using a programmable switch. The modified Acu-scope system performs the same results in diagnosis and especially shows highly reproducible ability. In chapter four, we investigate the mechanism of Acu-scope in phantom. When the concentration of lactate is increased near the measuring electrode, the peak current of polarization becomes larger. Although the results are consistent with that of EAV, the deviated calibration data seem still revealing the influence beyond the interface of the measuring electrode. In order to enhance the performance of the Acu-scope, we study the contributions of each part of samples and the measuring electrodes respectively in chapter five and six. In chapter five, contributions of three parts are evaluated: (A) interface impedance of surface electrodes, (B) skin impedance contacted with surface electrode, and (C) impedance of inner part of body. In the first order approximation of the equivalent circuit, part (A) can be ignored, part (B) and (C) vary for different subjects and should be taken into account. If the size of the measuring electrode is small enough, total capacitance effect of the polarization is determined by the capacitance of polarization at the measuring electrode interface. Therefore, it can be used as a sensor to detect the specific spot. Opposite to the capacitance effect, the peak current of transient is influenced by both of the part (B) and (C). In chapter six, the contribution of the measuring electrode is studied in particular. The enhanced concentration of lactate mainly increases the capacitance of the polarization rather than the peak current. In chapter seven, the influence of KCl on polarization is compared with that of HCl. We observe that the electrode polarization is mainly effected by pH. Because the pH decrease follows the increase of the lactate in ischemia tissue, it reveals the measured signal of the Acu-scope should be due to the variation of the pH in ischemia tissues. By the quantitatively analytic methods, Acu-scope and the pulse analysis are the scientific tools to investigate the traditional Chinese medicine. Cooperated with the modern medicine and the experience of traditional medicine, the Acu-scope can be coordinated with the pulse analysis to develop as the screening and diagnostic device for the investigation on the severity of ischemia tissues. With the advantages of a minimized electrode and short response time, the Acu-scope will also be practical for either in-vitro or in-vivo pH measurement.