Acupuncture with ... light

Experts from the Institute of Materials Science and the Institute of Applied Technology have successfully built a four-channel acupuncture machine with a semiconductor diode laser.

Semiconductor diode laser acupuncture machine

Acupuncture can be used for many different purposes such as acupuncture (phototherapy), intravascular therapy, inflammatory diseases, treatment of burns, smoking and drug treatment .

According to Associate Professor Dr. Vu Doan Mien, the leader of the study, instead of having to directly needle the patient's skin as before, now the doctor just needs to pin or paste the laser fibers to the acupuncture point. Therefore, patients are not in pain. And doctors avoid the risk of infection of some infectious diseases like HIV / AIDS.

The team chose laser light with a wavelength of 780nm because it can penetrate deep into the body 4-5cm. The light emitted from the semiconductor diode laser chip lies in the machine. Then, the laser light goes out through four optical fibers paired with the laser chip. Called channels, these fibers are equivalent to needles. The number of optical fibers can be increased by 6.8 or 10 depending on the needs of the user.

The laser output power at the fiber end can vary from 0 to 70mW. Reducing or increasing the output power in the above limit is equivalent to using small or large diameter needles. The power is stabilized by keeping the laser temperature constant at 25 degrees C thanks to Peltier refrigerant battery. All operating modes of the machine are controlled by software manufactured by the group and displayed on a liquid crystal display.

Dr. Vu Doan Mieu said that, compared to other machines manufactured in the country, the advantage of the machine is to be able to install and remember memory to 10 modes of treatment for patients, very convenient for doctors. . In addition, the capacity of a few dozen mW of the machine is considered to be the most effective for photovoltaic, unlike domestic machines with low capacity, about 10mW. The estimated cost of the machine is only two thirds that of imported machines. Russian, American, Chinese and Canadian machines cost about US $ 5,000.

It is known that this acupuncture machine has been unofficially tested in Quy Nhon for drug detoxification and the first step for good results. In the near future, the machine will be officially tested at Ba Vi for detoxification. Time will tell if a semiconductor diode laser acupuncture machine is as effective as traditional needle acupuncture.