Abstract: The method of reducing pain in a patient by combining a traditional pharmacological treatment with electro-acupuncture or percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy. The pharmacological treatment consists of using analgesics such as morphine sulfate and hydromorphine provided to patients around the clock or as needed for pain. The patient controlled analgesia pump (PCA) is used by patients for self-administering of analgesia as needed. After patient stops using PCA pump narcotic and non-narcotic pain medications are administered mostly orally. Typically, there are two pairs of needle electrodes, two on each leg, connected to two separate outputs of the portable electrical stimulator. The constructions of the needle holder and the stimulator allow a patient to move freely and, if necessary, to carry the device during the entire day.

Abstract: The present invention provides a principally novel method and a device for percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and electro-acupuncture. It consists of inserting the needles/electrodes into the prescribed acupuncture/trigger points at slant angles so that the external parts of the needles/electrodes can be secured against the skin of the patient. Although the present method allows for usage of different types of percutaneous electrodes and perpendicular insertions, as long as the external parts of electrodes are in flush with the patient's skin, angular insertion of the needles/electrodes has significant advantages. First, the inclined position of the needle provides distribution of current over a larger area of the patient's skin since the inserted part of the needle is longer in the inclined position that in the perpendicular position. Second, as the projecting part of the needle is secured to the surface of the skin, a patient is not restrained by the needles and may have freedom of motion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel device for portable percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and electro-acupuncture. In the preferred embodiment, the device consists of a needle/electrode holder that has a linear electrode/needle guide channel and a power supply channel that intersects with the needle/electrode guide channel and serves for insertion of a pin electrode from an electrical generator (PENS unit). The pin electrode will provide an electrical contact with the needle and at the same time function as means for securing the needle in a desire position in the guide channel. The needle remains straight and the extended portion thereof is kept out of contact with the patient's skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel device for portable percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and electro-acupuncture. In the preferred embodiment, the device consists of a needle/electrode holder that has a linear electrode/needle guide channel and a power supply channel that intersects with the needle/electrode guide channel and serves for insertion of a pin electrode from an electrical generator (PENS unit). The pin electrode will provide an electrical contact with the needle and at the same time function as means for securing the needle in a desire position in the guide channel. The needle remains straight and the extended portion thereof is kept out of contact with the patient's skin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a principally novel method and a device for percutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and electro-acupuncture. It consists of inserting the needles/electrodes into the prescribed acupuncture/trigger points at slant angles so that the external parts of the needles/electrodes can be secured against the skin of the patient. Although the present method allows for usage of different types of percutaneous electrodes and perpendicular insertions, as long as the external parts of electrodes are in flush with the patient's skin, angular insertion of the needles/electrodes has significant advantages. First, the inclined position of the needle provides distribution of current over a larger area of the patient's skin since the inserted part of the needle is longer in the inclined position that in the perpendicular position. Second, as the projecting part of the needle is secured to the surface of the skin, a patient is not restrained by the needles and may have freedom of motion.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is comprised of a specially designed electrode and a lead wire for use in electroacupuncture procedure to supply electric pulses to the patient's skin via acupuncture needles. The device is intended for use with a standard electric pulse generator for electro-acupuncture procedure. The electrode consists of a fin made of a thin metal plate or foil that possesses electroconductive properties, has a substantially rectangular or triangular shape and possesses rigidity in the direction of the acupuncture needle. The corners of the rectangular to triangular electrode can be rounded in order to prevent scratching of the patient's skin. The plate-like electrode has a hole on one edge for connection of a lead wire from the electric pulse generator and a thickened portion on the other edge with a blind hole for insertion of the acupuncture needle.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is comprised of a specially designed electrode and a lead wire for use in electroacupuncture procedure to supply electric pulses to the patient's skin via acupuncture needles. The device is intended for use with a standard electric pulse generator for electro-acupuncture procedure. The electrode consists of a fin made of a thin metal plate or foil that possesses electroconductive properties, has a substantially rectangular or triangular shape and possesses rigidity in the direction of the acupuncture needle. The corners of the rectangular to triangular electrode can be rounded in order to prevent scratching of the patient's skin. The plate-like electrode has a hole on one edge for connection of a lead wire from the electric pulse generator and a thickened portion on the other edge with a blind hole for insertion of the acupuncture needle.

Abstract: An acupuncture device consists of an acupuncture needle and a guide tube having a transverse, preferably V-shaped, slot through the tube wall. This slot is formed in the upper part of the guide tube and is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube. The handle of the needle is firmly secured inside the guide tube by a small elongated stopper made of an elastic material such as plastic or thick paper which is inserted into the V-shaped slot of the guide tube and squeezes the needle handle between its end and the inner wall of the tube opposite to the V-shaped slot. As the elastic stopper fits tightly into the V-shaped slot, it supports itself in the needle-securing position. Although the friction that the stopper creates through its pressure against the handle is sufficient to secure the needle inside the tube prior to the insertion, this friction yields to the downward motion of the needle during insertion so that the stopper does not present an obstacle for the insertion of the needle.

Abstract: An acupuncture device consists of an acupuncture needle and a guide tube having a transverse, preferably V-shaped, slot through the tube wall. This slot is formed in the upper part of the guide tube and is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tube. The handle of the needle is firmly secured inside the guide tube by a small elongated stopper made of an elastic material such as plastic or thick paper which is inserted into the V-shaped slot of the guide tube and squeezes the needle handle between its end and the inner wall of the tube opposite to the V-shaped slot. As the elastic stopper fits tightly into the V-shaped slot, it supports itself in the needle-securing position. Although the friction that the stopper creates through its pressure against the handle is sufficient to secure the needle inside the tube prior to the insertion, this friction yields to the downward motion of the needle during insertion so that the stopper does not present an obstacle for the insertion of the needle.

Abstract: An acupuncture device consists of an acupuncture needle and a guide tube having a longitudinal slot or notch at the upper end of the tube, which is wider than the diameter of the needle handle. A practitioner can easily secure the upper portion of the handle in this notch by pressing on the handle of the needle with an index finger. In the case of angular insertions, the practitioner can maintain a desirable diagonal position of the needle inside the guide tube. The acupuncture operation is facilitated by making a larger portion of the needle handle projecting from the guide tube through the notch. According to another embodiment, the device is provided with a sleeve of a C-shaped configuration, which is fit onto the upper end of the guide tube. When the open part of the C-shaped configuration does not coincide with the aforementioned notch, and the handle of the needle stays inside the guiding tube, the whole device can be used in a conventional fashion.

Abstract: An acupuncture method and a device for combining acupuncture with therapeutic physical exercises and/or water therapy. The device comprises a convex enclosure made of a resilient material such as rubber, which is capable of resuming initial full convex shape after being subjected to vertical downward pressure, and a small acupuncture needle the upper portion of which is molded into the enclosure. The open end face of the enclosure is sealed with an adhesive tape which seals the interior of the enclosure. The tip of the needle protrudes through this adhesive tape. In operation, the device is attached to the skin of a patient at the site of particular acupuncture point, and the acupucturist applies a to the needle via the top of the dome-like enclosure so that the tip of the needle penetrates the skin of the patient at the site of acupuncture point. The patient starts to perform therapeutic exercises on land or in the water, experiencing barely noticeable sensation.

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).