Acupuncture device with acupuncture localization and artificial intelligence

Abstract

Acupuncture device with acupuncture localization and artificial intelligence, comprising: a main unit (10) comprising: a power supply unit (12) having an external power source (121) and provided with a power generator (122) that receives electrical energy provided by the external power source (121) and converts it into a microcurrent; an operating unit (13) that enables a user to input a control instruction; a processing unit (11) coupled to the power supply unit (12) and the operating unit (13), wherein the processing unit (11) receives the electrical energy provided by the external power source (121) and generates an operating signal based on the control instruction; and a signal transmission unit (14) coupled to the processing unit (11) and configured to communicate with a mobile user device (91) and an external module (92); a detection unit (20) coupled to the power generator (122) of the power supply unit (12) and to the processing unit (11), wherein the detection unit (20) comprises: a first electrode unit (21) intended for direct contact application to a hand (81) of the user; and a second electrode unit (22) guided by the user to contact a point (83) of the hand (81) and to form an electrical circuit with the first electrode unit (21), wherein the second electrode unit (22) receives, in accordance with the operating signal, a microcurrent provided by the current generator (122) and fed into the electrical circuit to determine a measured value of the point (83), which is transmitted to the processing unit (11), wherein the measured value can be determined directly from the electrical resistance of the user's body; wherein the processing unit (11) transmits the measured value to the mobile user device (91) and the external module (92) via the signal transmission unit (14), and wherein the external module (92) is provided with a database (921) and an AI model (922) which compare the user's personal health data (70) with the measured value determined using a matching algorithm (MA) in order to obtain an analysis result and provide a recommendation, wherein the external module (92) transmits the analysis result and the recommendation to the mobile user device (91).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for detecting acupuncture points, in particular an acupuncture device with acupuncture localization and artificial intelligence.

[0002] In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the organs and tissues of the human body have corresponding acupuncture points, which are located on the hand, among other places. Acupuncture can stimulate these points to alleviate various ailments. Because this is an invasive treatment method, precise placement of the acupuncture needles is required, which is why it must be performed by trained medical professionals. Although developments such as the device disclosed in US patent US 6,285,905 already exist, which offers a similar acupuncture function and allows non-medically trained users to stimulate acupuncture points on the hand for regulation and care, the problem remains that the correct position of the acupuncture points is often not found precisely. This can lead to the desired effect not being achieved as expected.In addition, laypeople without professional training in traditional Chinese medicine lack the ability to assess the health status of the respective acupuncture points and determine whether treatment is necessary.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an improved technical solution that enables the precise localization of acupuncture points and the precise assessment of their health status.

[0004] The main object of the present invention is to solve the problems existing in the conventional art in which acupuncture points cannot be precisely located and the condition of the acupuncture points cannot be reliably determined.

[0005] The present invention discloses an acupuncture device with acupuncture localization and artificial intelligence, comprising a main unit and a detection unit. The main unit includes a power supply unit, an operating unit, a processing unit, and a signal transmission unit. The power supply unit includes an external power source and a power generator that provides a microcurrent from the external power source. The operating unit allows the user to input a control instruction. The processing unit is coupled to the power supply unit and the operating unit, receives the electrical energy from the external power source, and generates an operating signal based on the control instruction. The signal transmission unit is coupled to the processing unit and can communicate with a mobile user device and an external module.The detection unit is coupled to the power generator of the power supply unit and to the processing unit and comprises a first electrode unit and a second electrode unit. The first electrode unit is intended for direct contact application to the user's hand. The second electrode unit is guided by the user to make contact with a point on the hand and form an electrical circuit with the first electrode unit. The second electrode unit delivers a microcurrent into the circuit in accordance with the operating signal from the power generator to determine a measured value of the point, which is transmitted to the processing unit. The measured value is linked to the electrical resistance of the user's body.

[0006] The processing unit transmits the measured value to the user's mobile device and the external module via the signal transmission unit. The external module includes a database and an AI model that executes a matching algorithm based on the user's personal health data and the measured value to obtain an analysis result and provide a recommendation. The external module transmits the analysis result and the recommendation to the user's mobile device.

[0007] The invention and its embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 is a schematic external view of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a schematic configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention Fig. 3A is a schematic representation of the acupuncture detection of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 3B is a further schematic representation of the acupuncture detection of an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of the steps for acupuncture detection of an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 a schematic representation of the matching algorithm of an embodiment of the present invention.

[0008] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 discloses an acupuncture device 1 having an acupuncture point localization function and artificial intelligence. The acupuncture device 1 can be communicatively connected to a mobile user device 91, an external module 92, and a medical server 93 to form a system for detecting acupuncture points on the hand. The mobile device 91 can be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, while the medical server 93 can be a server in a medical facility.

[0009] The acupuncture device 1 comprises a main unit 10 and a detection unit 20. The main unit 10 functions as a central control unit and has a housing 101, a detection connection socket 102, and an electrical connection socket 103. In the present invention, the detection unit 20 is inserted into the detection connection socket 102 and thus connected to the main unit 10 via a cable.

[0010] The main unit 10 includes a processing unit 11, a power supply unit 12, an operating unit 13, a signal transmission unit 14, and a display unit 15. The processing unit 11 is coupled to the power supply unit 12, the operating unit 13, the signal transmission unit 14, and the display unit 15. Furthermore, the processing unit 11, the operating unit 13, and the signal transmission unit 14 are integrated into the housing 101, while the display unit 15 protrudes from the housing 101 to display information.

[0011] The power supply unit 12 comprises an external power source 121 and a power generator 122. The external power source 121 is arranged outside the housing 101 and coupled to the processing unit 11, the signal transmission unit 14, the display unit 15, and the power generator 122 to provide the required electrical energy. The power generator 122 is integrated into the housing (101), receives the electrical energy, and converts it into a microcurrent that can be output to the user. The intensity of the microcurrent is in the range of 10 microamperes [µA] to 1 milliampere [mA]. ​​According to the invention, the external power source 121 is shown as an example of a power supply that is connected to the electrical connection socket 103 and connected to the mains. In practical applications, however, the external power source 121 can also be a battery, a power supply, or a combination of battery and power supply.

[0012] The control unit 13 includes a power button 131, a gain button 132, a decrease button 133, a time setting button 134, and a detection button 135, via which the user can input a control instruction to the processing unit 11. The processing unit 11 generates an operation signal based on the control instruction. As illustrated, control is performed by pressing the respective buttons to switch functions and make settings. In other examples, the processing unit 11 communicates with the mobile user device 91 via the signal transmission unit 14, so that a display interface 911 of the mobile user device 91 can function as the control unit 13.

[0013] The signal transmission unit 14 can be communicatively connected to the mobile user device 91 and, via this, connected to the external module 92 and the medical server 93. In a further embodiment, the signal transmission unit 14 can communicate directly with the external module 92. The signal transmission unit 14 can be implemented as a WLAN or Bluetooth interface. The external module 92 comprises a database 921 and an AI model 922, with the AI ​​model 922 being connected to the database 921.

[0014] The user can provide personal health data in advance 70 [see Fig. 5] into the mobile user device 91. The mobile user device 91 transmits the personal health data 70 to the acupuncture device 1 and to the database 921 of the external module 92. According to the invention, the personal health data 70 may include, among other things, gender 71, age 72, height 73, weight 74, blood pressure 75, body fat percentage 76, frequency 77 of physical activities, or a combination of the aforementioned parameters.

[0015] The detection unit 20 comprises a first electrode unit 21 and a second electrode unit 22. The first electrode unit 21 and the second electrode unit 22 are coupled to both the power generator 122 of the power supply unit 12 and the processing unit 11. Furthermore, the detection unit 20 has a connecting cable 23, one end of which is provided with a connector plug 231. The connector plug 231 is inserted into the detection connection socket 102 to connect the power generator 122 of the power supply unit 12 and the processing unit 11. The other end of the connecting cable 23 is connected to the first electrode unit 21 and the second electrode unit 22.According to the invention, the first electrode unit 21 is designed as a conductive patch, while the second electrode unit 22 is designed as a probe pin and has an electrode 221 made of magnetically conductive material. A magnet 222 is attached to the back of the electrode 221, which converts the microcurrent generated by the current generator 122 into a magnetic wave, which is passed through the electrode 221 and output at a front tip 22a of the second electrode unit 22.

[0016] With reference to Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B, the first electrode unit 21 is intended for direct contact application to the user's hand 81. During use, it is applied to the inner side 82a of the user's left wrist 82. The second electrode unit 22 is guided by the user and can come into contact with a plurality of points 83 on the hand 81. This forms a closed circuit with the first electrode unit 21. The contact points 83 are individual points or larger areas of the hand 81.

[0017] As in Fig. 4 and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, during use of the acupuncture device 1, the first electrode unit 21 is applied to the user's hand 81. Subsequently, the second electrode unit 22 is successively applied to various contact points 83 on the hand 81 [Step S1].

[0018] As soon as the second electrode unit 22 touches a contact point 83, a closed circuit is formed. The second electrode unit 22 transmits the microcurrent from the current generator 122 into the circuit according to the operating signal, thereby determining a measured value of the contact point 83 [step S2]. The measured value is an electrical signal of the circuit, which is received by the processing unit (11) and determined through analysis. According to the invention, the measured value is represented as an electrical voltage calculated based on the electrical resistance of the user's body.

[0019] The processing unit 11 displays the measured value on the display unit 15 and transmits it to the mobile user device 91 via the signal transmission unit 14 [step S3]. The mobile user device 91 then sends the personal health data 70 and the measured value to the database 921 of the external module 92. The AI ​​model 922 executes a matching algorithm (MA) based on the historical data stored in the database 921 to perform an analysis of the measured value and the user's personal health data 70 and thus produce analysis results. Based on these analysis results, a recommendation is generated [step S4]. The analysis results include the classification of a point as a non-acupuncture point, a normal acupuncture point, or an abnormal acupuncture point. The generated recommendation may include dietary recommendations, activity recommendations, or medical consultation recommendations.The personal health data 70, the measured values, the analysis results and the recommendations can be stored in the database 921 to serve as part of the historical data for future evaluations.

[0020] The historical data may include, among other things, analysis results and recommendations derived from the use of acupuncture device 1 by various users. In one example, the historical data refers to an average adult male: "If the measured value is between 300 mV and 500 mV, the point is classified as a normal acupuncture point; if the measured value is below 300 mV, the point is considered an abnormal acupuncture point, and medical consultation is recommended; if the measured value is above 500 mV, the point is not an acupuncture point, and re-localization is required."

[0021] Furthermore, the historical data may consist of various data sets based on individual physiological characteristics. Since users' physical conditions vary, the historical data collection stored in the database 921 includes big data data sets related to gender, age, height, weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, exercise frequency, measured values, analysis results, and recommendations. The historical data also contains multiple threshold data sets that correlate with the measured values. Each of these threshold data sets includes an upper and a lower threshold of the measured values. Within the AI ​​model 922, the measured values ​​are compared with these thresholds. If the measured value is above the upper threshold of the respective threshold data set, this means that no acupuncture point was detected.If the reading is below the lower threshold, this indicates a blockage at the acupuncture point. If the reading is between the upper and lower thresholds, the point is classified as a normal acupuncture point.

[0022] The mobile user device 91, the external module 92, and the medical server 93 communicate with each other. The external module 92 transmits the personal health data 70 and the analysis results to the medical server 93, where medical professionals review the analysis results based on the personal health data 70 and issue a remote diagnosis or medical instruction [step S5]. The medical server 93 then sends the remote diagnosis to the mobile user device 91. Furthermore, the medical server 93 can forward the remote diagnosis to the database 921 [step S6] so that it serves as part of the historical data for the matching algorithm MA of the AI ​​model 922. The remote diagnosis can be in the form of a text file, an audio file, a video file, or a combination of these formats.

[0023] The mobile user device 91 receives the analysis results obtained in step S4, the generated recommendations, and the remote diagnosis created in step S5. This information is displayed on both the display interface 911 of the mobile user device 91 and the display unit 15 for the user to view [step S7]. In one example, if the analysis result from step S4 indicates that the acupuncture point is normal, step S7 may be executed directly, and the corresponding analysis results and recommendations are displayed on the mobile user device 91 and the display unit 15. However, if the analysis result indicates a blockage of the acupuncture point, step S5 is executed first, followed by steps S6 and S7 to transmit the remote diagnosis to the database 921 and display the analysis results, recommendations, and the remote diagnosis on the mobile user device 91 and the display unit 15.

[0024] As in Fig. 3A, Fig. 3B and Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the matching algorithm MA is based on multiple data sets D1, D2, and D3 from the database 921 with historical data. These are compared with the values ​​measured by the first electrode unit 21 and the second electrode unit 22 at multiple positions 831, 832, 833. Positions 831, 832, 833 are a subset of the contact points 83. Data sets D1, D2, and D3 each contain multiple associated features 921a, 922a, 923a. The acupuncture device 1 can record multiple measured values ​​831a, 832a, 833a [corresponding to the determined measured values] at positions 831, 832, 833. The matching algorithm MA disclosed in this document compares the measured values ​​831a, 832a, 833a with the associated features 921a, 922a, 923a, for example by comparing them with the personal health data 70 such as gender 71, age 72, height 73, weight 74 and the determined measured values.

[0025] The associated features 921a, 922a, 923a serve as big data records captured by the AI ​​model 922. The database 921 may be a cloud database. Fig. The matching algorithm MA shown in Figure 5 is for illustrative purposes only. The number of data sets D1, D2, D3 and the Fig. 3A and Fig. The number of positions 831, 832, 833 shown in Figure 3B is not limited to three. Likewise, the number of measured values ​​831a, 832a, 833a and the associated features 921a, 922a, 923a is not limited to the values ​​shown.

[0026] In summary, the acupuncture device 1 enables the formation of an electrical circuit in the user's hand through the first electrode unit 21 and the second electrode unit 22. As the microcurrent flows through the circuit, a voltage is recorded as a measured value, which can be used to determine the electrical resistance of the acupuncture point. By comparing it with the big data records in the database 921, the AI ​​model 922 performs an analysis to determine whether an acupuncture point has been detected and whether it is normal. Based on these results, recommendations regarding diet, activities, and medical consultation are provided. Furthermore, medical professionals can review the analysis and provide medical instructions.

[0027] An acupuncture device with acupuncture localization and artificial intelligence, comprising a main unit (10) and a detection unit (20). The main unit (10) has a power supply unit (12), an operating unit (13), a processing unit (11), and a signal transmission unit (14). The detection unit (20) comprises a first electrode unit (21) and a second electrode unit (22), wherein the first electrode unit (21) is intended for contact application to a hand (81) of the user. The second electrode unit (22) is guided by the user to come into contact with a point (83) of the hand (81) and to form an electrical circuit with the first electrode unit (21). The second electrode unit (22) supplies a microcurrent into the electrical circuit in accordance with an operating signal from a current generator (122) to determine a measured value of the point (83), which is transmitted to the processing unit (11). QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 6,285,905

[0002]

Claims

[1] Acupuncture device with acupuncture localization and artificial intelligence, comprising: a main unit (10) comprising: a power supply unit (12) having an external power source (121) and provided with a power generator (122) that receives electrical energy provided by the external power source (121) and converts it into a microcurrent; an operating unit (13) that enables a user to input a control instruction; a processing unit (11) coupled to the power supply unit (12) and the operating unit (13), wherein the processing unit (11) receives the electrical energy provided by the external power source (121) and generates an operating signal based on the control instruction; and a signal transmission unit (14) coupled to the processing unit (11) and configured to communicate with a mobile user device (91) and an external module (92); a detection unit (20) coupled to the power generator (122) of the power supply unit (12) and to the processing unit (11), wherein the detection unit (20) comprises: a first electrode unit (21) intended for direct contact application to a hand (81) of the user; and a second electrode unit (22) guided by the user to contact a point (83) of the hand (81) and to form an electrical circuit with the first electrode unit (21), wherein the second electrode unit (22) receives, in accordance with the operating signal, a microcurrent provided by the current generator (122) and fed into the electrical circuit to determine a measured value of the point (83), which is transmitted to the processing unit (11), wherein the measured value can be determined directly from the electrical resistance of the user's body; wherein the processing unit (11) transmits the measured value to the mobile user device (91) and the external module (92) via the signal transmission unit (14), and wherein the external module (92) is provided with a database (921) and an AI model (922) which compare the user's personal health data (70) with the measured value determined using a matching algorithm (MA) in order to obtain an analysis result and provide a recommendation, wherein the external module (92) transmits the analysis result and the recommendation to the mobile user device (91). [2] Acupuncture device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the external module (92) transmits the personal health data (70) and the analysis result to a medical server (93), where medical personnel evaluate the analysis result and make a remote diagnosis, and wherein the medical server (93) transmits the remote diagnosis to the mobile user device (91) and the database (921). [3] Acupuncture device according to claim 2, characterized by that the analysis result, the recommendation and the remote diagnosis can be displayed on the display interface (911) of the mobile user device (91). [4] Acupuncture device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the mobile user device (91) is connected to the processing unit (11) via the signal transmission unit (14) and can replace the operating unit (13), so that the user can enter the control instruction directly via the mobile user device (91). [5] Acupuncture device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized bythat the main device (10) further comprises a display unit (15) which is coupled to the processing unit (11) and on which the control instruction, the measured value, the analysis result and the recommendation can be displayed. [6] Acupuncture device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the user's personal health data (70) are selected from the group comprising gender, age, height, weight, blood pressure, body fat percentage, training frequency and a combination of these parameters. [7] Acupuncture device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by that the analysis result includes a classification as a non-acupuncture point, a normal acupuncture point, or an abnormal acupuncture point, or a combination of these classifications. [8] Acupuncture device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized bythat the database (921) stores a plurality of threshold data records, each containing an upper and a lower threshold relating to the measured value. [9] Acupuncture device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the control unit (13) comprises a power switch (131), a gain button (132), a attenuation button (133), a time setting button (134) and a detection button (135). [10] Acupuncture device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by that the detection unit (20) is connected to the main device (10) by cable.

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