Acupuncture Needling Torque Sensor

September 2004 - March 2006

Project Description:

Delivering a high quality acupuncture treatment requires two key synergistic elements: (1) the proper location of appropriate acupuncture points, and (2) the proper manipulation of the acupuncture needle. Despite a growing awareness of the classical importance of proper needling technique, no tool capable of objectively measuring needle manipulation in a clinical setting has ever been developed.

The overall goal of this work is to develop and commercialize a small, hand-held sensor system capable of objectively measuring acupuncture needle torque in a clinical setting. The researchers believe this will have immediate applications in: a) acupuncture research by providing a means to record and/or control the needling stimulus being delivered and correlating needling response to treatment outcome, b) acupuncture teaching by allowing students to directly compare their technique to their instructor's, and c) clinical practice by providing a means to receive feedback and document responses to needling, and match needling techniques to individual patients' conditions. The specific aims of Phase I are (1) Design and fabricate a prototype needle torque sensor (AcuSensor) and (2) Evaluate its performance in research, educational, and clinical settings. Once the feasibility of the AcuSensor has been demonstrated in Phase I, Phase II will include (1) further miniaturizing the device, (2) adding the capability to measure axial needle force and displacement, (3) developing a market strategy targeted to acupuncturists and other clinicians, (4) exploring non-acupuncture applications for this novel miniature torque sensing technology. The researchers believe that, ultimately, the AcuSensor, by providing objective measurement of the effect of needling, will lead to refinement of acupuncture treatment methods, improved treatment efficacy, increased consumer demand for acupuncture treatments and increased integration of acupuncture into the health care system.

Principal Investigator (PI) – Robert T. Davis, Ph.D. (2)

Co-Investigators: Helene Langevin, MD, LicAc (1); Bonnie Povolny, MS, LicAc (3)

Collaborating Institutions: (1) University of Vermont ; (2) Meridian Sensors, Inc.; (3) Acupuncture Vermont : Oriental Medicine Clinic

Funding Agency – NCCAM/NIH---Grant # R43 AT00201-01A1

Research Faculty and Staff

Ongoing or Completed Studies:

• Seminar Series
• Faculty Publications
• NEWTT (NESA East-West Think Tank)