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. 2013 Nov 28:6:203-9.
doi: 10.2147/MDER.S52903. eCollection 2013.

System for simultaneous measurements of bilaterally symmetrical acupoints multifrequency impedances

Mi-Yong Su  1 , Yong-Hong Tan  2 , Zi-Min Wang  3 , Cai-Jun Gan  3 , Shou-Hong Chen  3
Affiliations

System for simultaneous measurements of bilaterally symmetrical acupoints multifrequency impedances

Mi-Yong Su et al. Med Devices (Auckl). .

Abstract

Devices which can obtain comparable bilaterally symmetrical acupoints (BSA) multifrequency impedances (MFI) are often needed in the detection of the energy balance states of acupoints in traditional Chinese medicine. To satisfy these needs, a two-channel impedance measurement system has been introduced which is capable of accurately and simultaneously measuring BSA MFI. The system includes a set of five electrodes, two of which are injected with exciting current signal to synchronously and equally excite BSA; the other three electrodes are used as sensors to simultaneously sense the response signal from both sides. The system also includes a PC-based time-domain signal testing platform with arbitrary current waveform generation and three channels (one exciting current and two response voltages) simultaneously sampling, and a set of MFI simultaneously unbiased computing algorithms based on special odd multisine current signal input. Preliminary validating experiments suggest that the system allows accurate and synchronous measurement of BSA MFI at least in the frequency range of 10 Hz to 60 kHz, and the obtained BSA MFI are well comparable.

Keywords: Qi; acupuncture; balance; meridians; two-channel.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
BSA impedances synchronous measuring schematic diagram. Abbreviations: AC, alternating current source; BSA, bilaterally symmetrical acupoints; Ch, channel; Gnd, electrical ground; PC, common electrode; PE, exciting electrode; PG, ground electrode; PL, left side measuring electrode; PR, right side measuring electrode; Rs, current sampling resistor; ZLA, left arm acupoint equivalent impedance (AEI); ZLL; left leg AEI; ZRA, right arm AEI; ZRL, right leg AEI.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Block diagram of the hardware system. Abbreviations: AWG, arbitrary waveforms generator; Ch, channel; Gnd, electrical ground; PC, common electrode; PC, personal computer; PCI, peripheral component interconnect; PE, exciting electrode; PG, ground electrode; PL, left side measuring electrode; PR, right side measuring electrode; Rs, current sampling resistor; USB, universal serial bus; VCCS, voltage-controlled current source.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Wiring diagram of impedance measurement of a RC combinatorial circuit. Abbreviations: BSA, bilaterally symmetrical acupoints; Cm, capacitor; Gnd, electrical ground; MFI, multifrequency impedances; PC, common electrode; PE, exciting electrode; PG, ground electrode; PL, left side measuring electrode; PR, right side measuring electrode; RC, resistor–capacitor; Re, resistor 1; Ri, resistor 2.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Magnitude and phase relative error between RC circuit normal impedances and impedances measured by the left channel. Abbreviation: RC, resistor–capacitor.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Magnitude and phase relative error between two impedances measured by the left and right channels.
Figure 6
Figure 6
MFI of BSA of Yangxi of a 32-year-old healthy woman measured by the proposed system. Abbreviations: BSA, bilaterally symmetrical acupoints; MFI, multifrequency impedances.
Figure 7
Figure 7
MFI of BSA of Yangxi of a 36-year-old female patient with rhinitis. Abbreviations: BSA, bilaterally symmetrical acupoints; MFI, multifrequency impedances.
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