Acupuncture needle

Abstract

The invention relates to an acupuncture needle (1) comprising a needle body (2), wherein the needle body (2) has a penetrating region (3), wherein, during use of the acupuncture needle (1), the penetrating region (3) penetrates into the body and comes into direct contact with the subcutaneous tissue (4). The aim of the invention is to provide an acupuncture needle having enhanced therapeutic properties. This aim is achieved in that the acupuncture needle (1) comprises at least one first material (5) and at least one second material (7), wherein the first material (5) and the second material (7) are arranged, at least in certain regions, in the penetrating region (3) such that the first material (5) and the second material (7) come into direct contact with the subcutaneous tissue during use, and wherein the first material (5) and the second material (7), during use, form a galvanic element together with the subcutaneous tissue.

Description

[0001] acupuncture needle

[0002] The invention relates to an acupuncture needle comprising a needle body, wherein the needle body has a insertion area, wherein the insertion area penetrates the body when the acupuncture needle is used and has direct contact with the subcutaneous material.

[0003] Acupuncture is a therapeutic method in which fine needles are inserted into specific points on the body, known as acupuncture points. Stimulating these acupuncture points is considered a therapeutic measure for various illnesses. Acupuncture is successfully used to treat all somatic and psychological conditions, such as musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those affecting the spine and small and large joints, as well as joint capsules, muscles, tendons, and fascia; osteoarthritis; fibromyalgia; headaches; dizziness; tinnitus; sleep disorders; depression; psychological and psychiatric disorders; neurological disorders; metabolic disorders, such as gout; immune system disorders, such as rheumatism; allergic diseases; respiratory diseases; internal organ disorders; gastrointestinal disorders; and / or sensory organ disorders, such as eye diseases.This list is by no means exhaustive; acupuncture can also be used for many other ailments.

[0004] A specialized area of ​​acupuncture is electroacupuncture. Unlike conventional acupuncture, it measures the electrical resistance of the skin against a reference point, such as a hand electrode. With a measuring current of 10 microamperes, the measured resistance should be between 10 kiloohms and 4 megaohms. Further treatment can then be determined based on the measured resistance.

[0005] It is therefore known to pass an electric current through the body and to carry out a subsequent therapeutic measure based on a measured value derived from it.

[0006] For example, a therapeutically applicable direct current delivery device is known from EP 2 854 938 Bl, wherein the direct current delivery device comprises a plurality of needles configured as a first electrode and further comprises a second electrode configured as a needle or a flat surface. The first electrode and the second electrode are connected to each other via a direct current source. According to this document, a constant current is passed through the body to enhance the therapeutic effect.

[0007] Based on the prior art presented above, the object of the present invention is to provide an acupuncture device that ensures an improved therapeutic effect.

[0008] According to the invention, this problem is solved by an acupuncture needle as described above in that the acupuncture needle has at least a first material and at least a second material,

[0009] wherein the first material and the second material are arranged at least partially in the insertion area, so that the first material and the second material have direct contact with the subcutaneous material in the application case and

[0010] in which the first material and the second material together with the subcutaneous material form a galvanic cell in the application.

[0011] According to the invention, it has been recognized that the effect of an acupuncture needle can be improved by having it comprise two materials that form a galvanic cell in the body. The resulting effects, described below, enhance the therapeutic effect without introducing current into the body or applying voltage from external sources. By matching the at least two materials such that they form a galvanic cell during application, a small current flow is generated through the two materials at the insertion site when the two materials are in conductive contact with each other. Specifically, the at least two materials have different redox potentials, causing them to release ions into the subcutaneous tissue in different ways upon contact.This results in a material having an excess of electrons, which, if the first and second materials are in direct contact, leads to a charge equalization, i.e., an electric current flow between the two materials. This current flow creates a local magnetic field in the subcutaneous tissue surrounding the insertion site. Such a magnetic field can support the therapeutic effect of acupuncture treatment. Specifically, this magnetic field additionally stimulates the acupuncture points, which can enhance the therapeutic effect of acupuncture. The heat generated by the current flow at the insertion site can also increase the stimulation of the acupuncture points and thus improve the therapeutic effect.

[0012] If the materials do not have direct electrically conductive contact with each other, but are instead electrically insulated, a voltage is created in the insertion area between the materials, which causes an electric field that can also support the therapeutic effect through additional stimulation of the acupuncture points.

[0013] The invention has the advantage that the improved properties of the acupuncture needles can be achieved solely through a selected combination of different materials. According to the invention, it can also be ensured that the resulting currents, voltages, or fields in the body are so low that they do not damage the subcutaneous tissue.

[0014] The subcutaneous material can consist of tissue fluid, blood, or tissue, for example. This depends particularly on the location of the acupuncture point into which the acupuncture needle is inserted. The subcutaneous material acts as an electrolyte into which the ions of the first and / or second material dissociate.

[0015] The acupuncture needle can be designed, for example, as a disposable needle, a reusable needle, or even a permanent needle. Therefore, the acupuncture needle is suitable for different durations of use.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment, the first material is a first metal and the second material is a second metal. It is important that the two metals have different redox potentials. Particularly preferably, the first and second materials are metals of the electrochemical series. The greater the difference in redox potential between the metals, the greater the effect that develops in the subcutaneous tissue. According to a further preferred embodiment, the first and / or second material consists of one of the following materials: medical-grade steel, surgical steel, an iron alloy, gold, silver, titanium, copper, magnesium, or various alloys of the aforementioned metals.

[0017] In particular, the following combinations are suitable: medical steel and gold, medical steel and silver, medical steel and copper, medical steel and a titanium alloy, medical steel and zirconium, a titanium alloy and gold, a titanium alloy and silver, a titanium alloy and copper, or a titanium alloy and zirconium.

[0018] It is relevant that the selected materials of the acupuncture needles are or will be approved for medical applications in the body.

[0019] Medical-grade steel is a steel alloy that is extremely corrosion-resistant and highly hardened, making it suitable for many applications in medical technology. In one specific form, medical-grade steel is a type of stainless steel.

[0020] It is also advantageous if the first material and / or the second material is not a metal.

[0021] For example, the first material and / or the second material consists of one of the following materials: graphite, a carbon compound, or ceramic.

[0022] It is equally advantageous if the first material is a metal and the second material is not a metal, or vice versa. According to a further embodiment, neither material is a metal. In particular, both materials consist of the aforementioned alternative materials and exhibit different redox potentials.

[0023] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the first and second materials are electrically connected. For example, the materials are in direct contact with each other. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the needle body is formed from the first material, and the second material is arranged as a coating, at least partially, on the first material. This embodiment has the advantage that the two materials can be connected particularly easily and that the shape of the second material can also be influenced very easily. The shape of the coating can also influence the resulting current flow, voltage, or electric or magnetic field.Additionally, a further insulating coating can be applied to the first and / or second material in certain areas, which can also influence the area where a current or voltage is generated. Alternatively, the needle body itself can have the first material in one area and the second material in a second area.

[0024] According to one design of the acupuncture device, the first material and the second material are connected to each other in certain areas.

[0025] According to an alternative embodiment, the first material and the second material are fully bonded to each other. When it is stated that the first material and the second material are fully bonded to each other, this means that the material with the smaller surface area has full-surface contact with the other material.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the first and second materials are non-conductively connected. For example, an electrically insulating material is placed between the first and second materials. In this case, when the acupuncture needles are applied, no charge equalization occurs between the two materials. Instead, a voltage is generated, creating an electric field in the subcutaneous material, which can also support the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture treatment.

[0027] According to the design of the acupuncture needle, the first material and the second material form exactly one galvanic element in contact with the subcutaneous material.

[0028] It is also advantageous if the first and second materials form a multitude of galvanic cells within the subcutaneous tissue. For example, the second material can be applied as a coating to the first material, which forms the needle body, in different areas. By creating a multitude of galvanic cells, the supportive therapeutic effect of these cells can be precisely targeted.

[0029] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the needle body has more than two materials, with at least three materials being arranged in the insertion area.

[0030] The materials are particularly preferably those with different redox potentials, so that two materials always form a galvanic cell.

[0031] For example, the needle body has a first material, and the second and third materials are arranged as a coating on the first material, at least partially in the insertion area of ​​the acupuncture needle.

[0032] Many configurations are conceivable here. For example, a first galvanic cell can be formed by the first material and the second material, and a second galvanic cell can be formed by the first material and the third material.

[0033] It is advantageous if at least three of the following materials are combined: medical steel, gold, silver, copper, titanium, zirconium and / or an alloy of the aforementioned materials, graphite and / or another carbon compound and / or a ceramic compound.

[0034] By using at least three materials that have different redox potentials, the variability of the generation of current and / or voltage and / or the resulting field and / or the resulting heat in the subcutaneous material can be improved.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the first material and the second material can have direct contact and thus be electrically conductively connected, and at the same time the first material and the third material can be separated by an electrically insulating layer.

[0036] The described acupuncture device, in its various forms, improves the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in a particularly simple way.

[0037] There are now numerous possibilities for designing and further developing the acupuncture device according to the invention. Reference is made to the claims subordinate to the independent claims and to the following description of preferred embodiments together with the drawing.

[0038] The drawing shows:

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a first example of an acupuncture device,

[0040] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 3 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 7 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle, Fig. 10 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle and Fig. 11 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle.

[0041] Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1. The acupuncture needle 1 has a needle body 2, the needle body 2 having an insertion area 3. The insertion area 3 is the part of the needle body 2 that penetrates the body when the acupuncture needle 1 is used and makes direct contact with the subcutaneous tissue 4.

[0042] Furthermore, the acupuncture needle 1 has a first material 5, in the illustrated example a first metal 6 and a second material 7, in the illustrated example a second metal 8.

[0043] The first metal 6 and the second metal 8 are positioned in the insertion area 3 of the acupuncture needle 1 such that they are in direct contact with the subcutaneous material 4. Furthermore, the first metal 6 and the second metal 8 are matched to each other to form a galvanic cell. For this purpose, the first metal 6 and the second metal 8 have different redox potentials.

[0044] The illustration in Fig. 1 shows a top view from the front of the acupuncture needle 1 and not a cross-section.

[0045] Due to the different redox potentials of the two metals 6, 8, in the illustrated application where the acupuncture needle 1 is inserted into the subcutaneous tissue 4, the less noble metal, which dissociates more strongly and whose ions are released into the subcutaneous tissue 4, donates electrons to the more noble metal when a charge gradient exists. In this application, a small current is generated, which in turn locally creates a magnetic field in the subcutaneous tissue 4. Such a magnetic field can positively support the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture treatment. Likewise, the heat generated by the current flow can positively support the therapeutic treatment. Therefore, Fig. 1 shows an acupuncture needle 1 with an improved therapeutic effect.

[0046] Fig. 2 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1, which has a first material 5 and a second material 7 in the insertion area 3, wherein the first material 5 and the second material 7 are in direct contact with each other. Furthermore, the first material 5 and the second material 7 are in direct contact with the subcutaneous material 4. An insulating material 9 is arranged circumferentially in the area of ​​the connection between the first material 5 and the second material 7, surrounding the contact area of ​​the first material 5 and the second material 7. The illustration also shows a top view of the acupuncture needle 1 in the area of ​​the subcutaneous tissue 4. This circumferential insulating material 9 prevents the escape of ions in the area in which the insulating material 9 surrounds the first material 5 and the second material 7 as a sheath.The electrons produced in the less noble material thus travel a further distance in order to equalize a charge difference.

[0047] Fig. 3 shows a further embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1, which has a first material 5 and a second material 7 with different redox potentials in the insertion area 3. The illustration also shows a top view of the acupuncture needle 1 in the subcutaneous tissue.

[0048] The second material 7 is arranged as a coating in a first area and a second area, whereby the first and second areas do not touch each other. This creates a total of two galvanic elements, which in the illustrated application each generate a small current, which in turn generates a magnetic field that can stimulate the acupuncture points in the subcutaneous material and thus support the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture device 1.

[0049] Fig. 4 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the acupuncture needle 1 has a first material 5, a second material 7, a third material 10, and a fourth material 11 in the insertion area 3. The materials 5, 7, 10, and 11 all differ in their redox potential. In the illustrated embodiment, this creates a plurality of galvanic cells, each of which generates a current during application, thereby creating a plurality of magnetic fields in the subcutaneous material 4 that can support the therapy using the acupuncture needle 1. Fig. 5 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1, in which the needle body 2 consists of the first material 5, and the first material 5 is coated in certain areas with the second material 7, which is less noble than the first material 5.When the insertion point 3 comes into contact with the subcutaneous material 4, which has electrolytic properties, an excess of electrons arises in the less noble material. The current generated to equalize this charge difference in the areas where the second material 7 and the first material 5 are in contact creates a magnetic field that supports the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture. Furthermore, the current flow generates heat, which also supports the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture.

[0050] Another embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1 is shown in Fig. 6. The needle body 2 consists of a first material 5, which is coated with a second material 7 in a patchy pattern. Additionally, the needle body 2 is coated with a third material 10 in a dot-like pattern. The materials 5, 7, and 10 all differ in their redox potential. Thus, in application, i.e., when the different materials come into contact with the electrolytic subcutaneous material 4, local galvanic cells are created, generating magnetic fields in the subcutaneous material 4. These magnetic fields can support the therapeutic effect in application.

[0051] Another embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1 is shown in Fig. 7. The acupuncture needle 1 shown in Fig. 7 has a needle body 2 made of a first material 5, wherein the needle body 2 is partially connected to a second material 7, a third material 10, a fourth material 11, and a fifth material 12.

[0052] Materials 5, 7, 10, 11 and 12 have at least partially different redox potentials, so that in the application a plurality of galvanic cells are realized which, as already described, generate different therapeutically effective magnetic fields.

[0053] An acupuncture needle 1, comprising a first material 5 and a second material 7 in the insertion area 3, is shown in Fig. 8. Unlike the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the needle body 2 itself consists of a first material 5, with the needle body 2 being coated on one side with the second material 7 when viewed longitudinally. Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1, in which the second material 7 is arranged as a point on the first material 5. Upon contact with the electrolytic subcutaneous material, the materials release different concentrations of ions into the subcutaneous material due to their differing redox potentials, thereby creating a charge carrier imbalance in the materials. The current generated by this imbalance produces a magnetic field that supports the therapeutic effect.

[0054] Fig. 10 shows a further embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1, wherein the needle body 2, consisting of the first material 5, is partially surrounded by a second material 7, which has a different redox potential than the first material. In this way, a plurality of galvanic cells are locally realized in the application, which support the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture needle.

[0055] Fig. 11 shows another embodiment of an acupuncture needle 1, wherein the needle body 2 consists of a first material 5. In the insertion area 3, an insulating layer 9 is arranged on the needle body 2. On this insulating layer 9, the second material 7 is arranged, forming a galvanic cell with the first material. In contrast to the previously shown embodiments, the first material 5 and the second material 7 do not have direct contact with each other, but are electrically insulated from each other. However, in the application shown, both materials are in direct contact with the subcutaneous material 4. Due to the different redox potentials of the two materials 5 and 7, the less noble material has more electrons, resulting in a charge difference between the first material 5 and the second material 7.This charge difference generates an electric field in the subcutaneous tissue 4, which can support the stimulation of the acupuncture point and thus the therapeutic effect of the acupuncture treatment. Reference symbol.

[0056] 1 Acupuncture Noble

[0057] 2 needle bodies

[0058] 3 Emstich area

[0059] 4 Subcutaneous tissue

[0060] 5 First material

[0061] 6 First Metal

[0062] 7 Second material

[0063] 8 Second Metal

[0064] 9 Insulation material

[0065] 10 Third Material

[0066] 11 Fourth Material

[0067] 12 Fifth Material

Claims

Patent claims 1. Acupuncture needle (1) comprising a needle body (2), wherein the needle body (2) has a insertion area (3), wherein the insertion area (3) penetrates the body when the acupuncture needle (1) is used and has direct contact with the subcutaneous material (4), characterized in that that the acupuncture device (1) has at least one first material (5) and at least one second material (7), wherein the first material (5) and the second material (7) are arranged at least partially in the insertion area (3) so that the first material (5) and the second material (7) have direct contact with the subcutaneous material in the application case and wherein the first material (5) and the second material (7) together with the subcutaneous material form a galvanic cell in the application.

2. Acupuncture metal (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first material (5) is a first metal (6) and that the second material (7) is a second metal (8), wherein the first metal (6) and the second metal (8) have different redox potentials.

3. Acupuncture needle (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first material (5) and / or the second material (7) consists of one or more of the following materials: medical-grade steel or surgical steel or an iron alloy or gold or silver or titanium or copper or magnesium or zirconium or another suitable alloy.

4. Acupuncture device (1) according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that the first material (5) and / or the second material (7) is not a metal.

5. Acupuncture device (1) according to claim 1, 3 or 4, characterized in that the first material (5) and / or the second material (7) consists of one of the following materials: graphite or a carbon compound or ceramic.

6. Acupuncture needle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first material (5) and the second material (7) are electrically conductively connected to each other, in particular in certain areas.

7. Acupuncture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second material (7) is applied as a coating at least partially to the first material (5).

8. Acupuncture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first material (5) and the second material (7) are non-conductively connected to each other.

9. Acupuncture device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that an electrically insulating material is arranged between the first material (5) and the second material (7).

10. Acupuncture needle (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the acupuncture needle (1) has more than two materials (5, 7, 10, 11, 12), wherein the at least three materials (5, 7, 10, 11, 12) are arranged in the insertion area (3) and wherein the at least three materials (5, 7, 10, 11, 12) form at least two galvanic cells in contact with the subcutaneous material (4).

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