Acupuncture Means Patents (Class 606/189)
  • Patent number: 5950635
    Abstract: A method of treating various anxiety-related disorders, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, panic attacks, or general anxiety disorder is disclosed. It has been found that the P1 midlatency auditory evoked potential of such patients undergoes increased amplitude and decreased habituation. Stimulation of three specific acupuncture points LR3, HT3, and PC6) on three different acupuncture meridians has been found to reduce the amplitude of the P1 potential using 20-minute periods of stimulation. Low frequency stimulation (around 5 Hz) was found to be most effective. Repeated periods of stimulation were also found to increase the effect of the treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
    Inventors: Edgar Garcia-Rill, Robert D. Skinner, Harris Gellman
  • Patent number: 5904700
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a magnetic apparatus pointer of traditional Chinese medicine for health care, and in particular, relates to a magnetic medicine instrument of acupuncture. The apparatus of pointer includes an air bag, and a permanent magnetic head provided within the hollow case. To operate the pointer of the present invention, the air bag shall be pressed, and at the same time, the hollow case shall be attached closely to the acupuncture point of human body. When the press is released, the air bag restores to the original shape and the air within the hollow case is sucked into said bag, so as to make the magnet head closely attached to the acupuncture point of human body. The pointers with N pole and S pole may be positioned on both sides of human body making vertical cutting lines of magnetic force acting upon human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Inventor: Liwen Guo
  • Patent number: 5792171
    Abstract: A method of underwater acupuncture which advantageously uses a synergistic effect resulting from a combined use of acupuncture and a water therapy treatment. A device for carrying out the method comprises an enclosure (11) which is sealed at one end and has a flange (33) on the opposite open end. The sealed end has a resilient tip (22) and supports a sterile acupuncture needle (26) inside the enclosure. The flange has an adhesive outer tape (32) for sealingly attaching the device to the skin of a patient in the area of an acupuncture point. The acupuncture needle (26) is guided through a longitudinal channel (14) of a guide tube (24) inserted into the enclosure (11) and can be brought into contact with the skin of the patient by pushing on the aforementioned resilient tip (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventors: Igor Burdenko, Stas Gavronsky
  • Patent number: 5792176
    Abstract: An acupressure patch for providing a controlled pressure to a selected point on the skin of a patient for a selected period of time is disclosed. The patch includes a rigid nub fixedly mounted to a flat rigid pressure plate. The pressure plate is positioned on an adhesive disc and held in place by an adhesive ring. The nub sits in an aperture such that it is not covered with any adhesive. A cushioning pad may also be provided between the pressure plate and the adhesive disc. The acupressure patch provides a low profile apparatus which can be secured to a patient's skin to provide adequate pressure to be effective but not to irritate the skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Inventor: Henry H. Chang
  • Patent number: 5782858
    Abstract: A medical apparatus which includes a first magnetic energy device with a magnetically conductive, rounded, pointed front end for acupuncturing acupuncture points of the fingers and around the eyes by means of a magnetic resonance, and a second magnetic energy device with a magnetically conductive concave front end for stimulating the orbicularis oculi muscle by means of a magnetic resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Inventor: Chih Shun Cheng
  • Patent number: 5741291
    Abstract: An acupuncture needle assembly includes an outer tubular member having an upper portion tube with open upper and lower ends, and with an elongated slot in the lower end, and a lower portion tube with open upper and lower ends and secured to the upper portion tube; a plug with an opening secured to the open upper end of the upper portion tube; an operating bar slidably positioned through the plug and in the outer tubular member, and having an upper part extending out through the upper end of the upper portion tube and having helical threads, a lower part for holding one end of a needle such that an opposite end of the needle can extend through the open lower end of the lower portion tube, and a hole in the lower part; a pin secured in the hole in the operating bar and slidable in the elongated slot in the upper portion tube to prevent rotation of the operating bar in the outer tubular member, while permitting axial movement of the operating bar in the outer tubular member; a cap securable to the lower end of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Inventor: Tae Woo Yoo
  • Patent number: 5735868
    Abstract: A motor driven needle-poking device for treating patients having chronic muscular pain. The device consists of a motor driven poking tool for mounting a needle, a control unit for adjusting the frequency and the depth of poking, a mechanical swivel arm for holding and positioning said tool, and a remote activation switch for activating the motorized tool. Once the tool is positioned at a proper location of patient's skin by said swivel arm and activated by said switch, the needle pokes the muscle of interest underneath the skin at a constant frequency and at a fixed depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Inventor: Young H. Lee
  • Patent number: 5716372
    Abstract: A set of needles for hands includes a plurality of needles which are arranged and pressured between upper and lower synthetic resin films at regular intervals, in which cutting lines are formed between the needles for hands, and grooves and slant portions are formed at the upper and lower parts of the cutting lines, respectively. Thus, where necessary, each needle for hands can be used by cutting from adjacent ones according to the cutting lines from the grooves. Accordingly, because a set of needles for hands is produced at once, this invention has the advantages of reduction of the manufacturing process, an inexpensive supply and a reduction of the burden of household economy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1998
    Inventor: Tae Woo Yoo
  • Patent number: 5707384
    Abstract: A lancet device for obtaining blood samples comprising a body, a spring housed therein, a needle urged by the spring, a retaining mechanism for preventing the needle from projecting, a release part for releasing the retainment of the needle, and a needle cover covering the needle, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a needle-mounting member with an elastic member fixed thereto and a retaining part formed on the body and engaged with the elastic member, and the release part is a releasing member formed on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Assignee: Teramecs Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Inhwan Kim
  • Patent number: 5681327
    Abstract: A stereotactic auxiliary attachment for a tomography apparatus for conducting a tomogram-guided biopsy of an examination subject has two compression plates for fixing the examination subject therebetween, with through-holes arranged in each compression plate enabling a guided access of a biopsy needle. An optical marking system is provided which optically marks the through bore most suitable inserting and guiding the biopsy needle for the biopsy, after the location of the lesion has been identified in a tomogram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Sylvia Heywang-Koebrunner
  • Patent number: 5676684
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for acupuncture-tapping procedures on a human body. The apparatus includes an acupuncture-tapping plate which has attached needles. A buffer connector is attached to the acupuncture-tapping plate solely by resilient member. A driving member is attached to the buffer connector by resilient member so that the buffer connector is operated to drive the acupuncture-tapping plate by utilizing the buffer connector. In this way, an acupuncture-tapping technique is provided which has beneficial effects on the damaged skin of the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Inventor: Jang Youn Choi
  • Patent number: 5665109
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for suturing and ligating anatomical tissue utilizes one or more knotting elements carried by a length of filamentous suture material for tying the suture material to create one or more adjustably tensioned stitches. The knotting elements are carried by the suture material at fixed spaced positions or can be movable along the suture material, and suture instruments are provided to facilitate the formation of a plurality of stitches, particularly during endoscopic procedures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: InBae Yoon
  • Patent number: 5624460
    Abstract: A needle assembly for acupuncture includes a needle having a grip portion, and a needle head having a sharp end; a grip pipe made from paper, rubber or foamed resin, engaged around the needle head such that the sharp end of the needle extends out from the grip pipe; a guide pipe surrounding the needle and the grip pipe such that the grip pipe is positioned in a lower end of the guide pipe and the grip portion is positioned in an upper end of the guide pipe, with an upper portion of the grip portion extending out from the upper end of the guide pipe; and an adhesive membrane releasably connecting together the grip portion and an uppermost end of the guide pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Inventor: Tae W. Yoo
  • Patent number: 5611806
    Abstract: A skin perforating device comprises a plurality of alternately disposed needle disks and spacers which are combined together for rotational movement as a unit. Attached to the opposite ends of the device are a pair of end plates whose diameter is greater than that of the spacers. The end plates enable the skin perforating device to create skin cuts of uniform depth throughout the length thereof, thus avoiding pain and flare which would occur in the absence of the end plates. Each of the needle disks is provided with a multiplicity of skin perforation needles on its circumference. The skin perforation needles are of triangular configuration and have lateral sides of acute wave form such that the bodily skin can be cut readily by the skin perforation needles thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang K. Jang
  • Patent number: 5540710
    Abstract: A needle assembly for performing acupuncture treatment, includes a needle holder formed from a tubular member, the needle holder having a tubular shaft portion formed from an upper portion of the tubular member, a pressed portion integrally formed at a lower end of the tubular shaft portion and formed from a flattened lower portion of the tubular member, and a needle held within the needle holder and projecting from a lower end of the pressed portion. Thus, by directly pricking needle points after holding the pressed portion and the shaft portion with a hand without a inserter, it is convenient to apply acupuncture and to control the pricking depth. Furthermore, by rotating the protruded portion from side to side, it is easy to stimulate needle points, so that the effect of the acupuncture treatment can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1996
    Inventor: Tae W. Yoo
  • Patent number: 5531675
    Abstract: A micro-acupuncture needle for a finger of a hand comprises a sharp needle of a substantially cone-shaped protuberance made by molding a metal sheet of at least one of a group of aluminum and copper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Inventor: Tae W. Yoo
  • Patent number: 5417706
    Abstract: A specific acupuncture technique for the remedial treatment of various types of baldness by inserting acupuncture needles into selected acupuncture points on multiple meridians. The need for drugs, chemical treatment, surgery, herbs, etc. is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1995
    Inventor: Pil H. Chun
  • Patent number: 5324287
    Abstract: The puncturing stimulation needle has an insertion part (2) and a holder part (3). The insertion part (2) is structured as a screw with one or more threads, the thread height (6) of which is greater than twice the diameter (7) of the insertion part (2) at its thickest point. Preferably, the holder part (3) is structured in the form of a ring or small disk, with its side facing the insertion part (2) lying in a plane approximately perpendicular to the geometric axis of the insertion part. The puncturing stimulation therapy apparatus has a portable, battery-powered treatment current generator (17), with at least one electrode (23, 24) in the form of a puncturing stimulation needle being connected with the generator via a flexible line (21, 22), with this needle having an insertion part (2) which is shorter than 4 mm, and a holder part (3) in the form of a ring or small disk. A surface electrode (29) can also be provided at the housing of the treatment current generator (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Inventor: Josef C. Szeles
  • Patent number: 5250068
    Abstract: An acupuncture needle for treating diseased parts in a patient's body by sticking its needle point into the diseased parts comprises: a needle body which consists of an optical fiber for transmitting light from a light source over nearly the entire length of the needle, and a needle point attached to the front end of the optical fiber; and a means such as a light collecting lens for applying light from the light source onto the end surface of the optical fiber so that the light can be transmitted through the optical fiber. The needle point inserted into the affected part of the body collects light from the light source and radiate light or heat against the affected part, producing improved remedial effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Yakuouji Shinkiyu Chiryouin
    Inventors: Emuko Ideguchi, Shuji Yamada
  • Patent number: 5250067
    Abstract: An acupuncture treatment pad includes a flexible backing sheet having a multiplicity of similarly constructed rigid blocks at spaced points along the sheet surface. Each block has at least one tapered protuberance extending away from the sheet surface to form a relatively sharp edge or point; each protuberance can be a conical needle element, or alternately, a triangular cross-section knife element. When the pad is held under pressure against a person's body the sharpened protuberances act as acupuncture elements to stimulate nerve endings under the skin, thereby increasing the blood circulation and relieving pain experienced in damaged tissue deprived of adequate blood flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Inventors: Ala Gelfer, Arkadiy Gelfer, Stan Gelfer
  • Patent number: 5211175
    Abstract: An electro-acupuncture system comprises a transmitter for emitting high frequency magnetic energy pulses and a receiver, sealed within an implantable "thumb-tack" shaped device, for receiving and converting such pulses into stimulating pulses of current. The device comprises a head having an exposed ring-electrode (anode) secured therein and a needle-like electrode (cathode) having a proximal end secured in the head and a distal end adapted to pierce body tissue. The latter electrode comprises a metallic tube secured in the head and a metallic wire inserted through the tube to position and fix an exposed tip of the wire at a preselected location and depth in the body tissue, in accordance with method steps taught herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Curtis A. Gleason, Marshall L. Stoller, Tom F. Lue, Richard A. Schmidt, Emil A. Tanagho
  • Patent number: 5201751
    Abstract: An acupuncture needle-tank apparatus for mix use comprising a needle of the type used in acupuncture, provided with an internal channel constituting a cannula suitable to let pass a liquid or viscous product therethrough, connected to a tank without piston, containing said product, wherein the cannula has an external diameter under 0.3 mm and the tank being of an external diameter under 15 mm. The tank is further characterized in that it is of a material deformable by simple finger pressure to allow the flow of the product it contains.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Inventor: Andre Cohen
  • Patent number: 5129914
    Abstract: A combination container and dispenser and insertion tube for acupuncture needles provides for the sterile storage and containment, dispensing and insertion of acupuncture needles. A storage portion of the container/dispenser is formed with an insertion tube along one edge and an internal passage between the two components. A lot in the storage portion allows manipulation of the handles of any acupunture needles within so they may be transferred through the internal passage to the insertion tube and inserted into the patient. A series of depressions and a retaining crest within the storage portion assist in retaining the needles in position until they are maneuvered through the slot. The device may be formed of a relatively inexpensive material, thus allowing for disposal after a single use, or alternatively may be formed of a more durable material capable of withstanding repeated sterilization in an autoclave or similar apparatus for reuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Jeung H. Choi
  • Patent number: 5113847
    Abstract: A device for stimulating intramuscular fluid pressure is disclosed having a first tool component having a base member with top and bottom, and a cylindrical member. The cylindrical member is wrapped about the base member intermediate the top and bottom and has an outer sidewall surface. The first tool component also has a wedge-shaped member with a front face, a rear face, and a bottom surface. The wedge-shaped member is attached to the base member intermediate the top and the cylindrical member. The device also has a second tool component, having a second base member with a top, a bottom, and a cylindrical member wrapped about the second base member inermediate the second base member top and bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Inventor: Dwight D. Holzworth
  • Patent number: 5094242
    Abstract: An electro-acupuncture system comprises a transmitter for emitting high frequency magnetic energy pulses and a receiver, sealed within an implantable "thumb-tack" shaped device, for receiving and converting such pulses into stimulating pulses of current. The device comprises a head having an exposed ring-electrode (anode) secured therein and a needle-like electrode (cathode) having a proximal end secured in the head and a distal end adapted to pierce body tissue. The latter electrode comprises a metallic tube secured in the head and a metallic wire inserted through the tube to position and fix an exposed tip of the wire at a preselected location and depth in the body tissue, in accordance with method steps taught herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Curtis A. Gleason, Marshall L. Stoller, Tom F. Lue, Richard A. Schmidt, Emil A. Tanagho
  • Patent number: 5089001
    Abstract: The present invention is related to an improved structure of an acupuncture acus, especially a multiple safety acupuncture acus provided with a bellow protector. The grip of the said acupuncture acus is produced by injection molding and is in the form of a cone flange which can be engaged exactly by a protective sleeve for convenience of packing; a bellow type protector is built from the adjoining position between the acupuncture acus and the grip to the needle head; the end of the protector is in the form of a hollow ring, its inside ring is made of membrane, while its outer ring is made of soft plastic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Inventor: C. H. Hwang
  • Patent number: 4966164
    Abstract: A device for assisting addiction treatment comprising an earphone adapted to be placed in the external auditory canal of a user's auricle, the earphone having an electrode adapted to contact the surface of the auricle, and a buzzer operable to make sounds of ultra-low frequency, a clip adapted to be attached to the rim of the auricle, the clip having an electrode adapted to contact the rim, a sound generating circuit adapted to deliver low voltage signals of low-frequency to operate the buzzer, and an acupuncture point stimulating circuit adapted to deliver a high voltage stimulus of low current to the electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 30, 1990
    Assignee: Tradatlantex AG
    Inventors: Ronnie Colsen, Alexander Kairis, Andrew L. Deller
  • Patent number: 4950279
    Abstract: An acupuncture needle delivery system is disclosed comprising a needle with an upper head portion that is wider in the middle than at its ends. The needle is packaged within a plastic dispensing tube which is greater in diameter than the needle, except at the end of the tube which surrounds the needle's head. The portion of the tube surrounding the head of the needle is narrower than the widest part of the head to snugly grasp the head and secure the needle within the tube. Upon the imposition of axially directed, manually exerted, downward pressure on the head region, the end of the plastic tube stretches, permitting the needle to be ejected from the other end of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Jen-On Pharmaceutical Enterprises Corp.
    Inventor: William Chang
  • Patent number: 4907590
    Abstract: An acupuncture therapy is performed by using a disposable acupuncture needle comprising a suture which is preferably made of absorbable material, a handle having a suture holder in which one end of the suture is held integrally, a barrel which the handle is insertable into an engageable with, a hollow needle which is integrated with the barrel and through which the suture is insertable, a tube through which the barrel together with the needle is slidable and a cap which is engageable with one end of the tube to cover the needle so as to prevent contamination. The suture is so disposed that it has a small portion going out of the needle tip so that when the needle is pulled out of the human body, the suture is left in the human body to provide long term therapy until the suture is absorbed by the human body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Inventors: Li-Li Wang, Hsieuh-Li Chin