Spine Scanning Moxibustion Device for Personalized Acupuncture Point Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermo-therapeutic apparatuses are ineffective in stimulating spine meridian systems and acupuncture points for users with non-average body types, as they are designed based on an average spine position, leading to inadequate thermotherapy and acupuncture effects.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a control unit that scans the spine using a horizontal motor to measure operating current, calculates the length of the spine, and determines the positions of cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and coccyx vertebrae to identify specific acupuncture points for personalized thermotherapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the thermo-therapeutic apparatus is designed based on average spine position, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively treat users with non-average body types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the chiropractic device movable along the spine rather than fixed. The motor drives the chiropractic device to move horizontally along the user's spine, allowing dynamic adaptation to different spine lengths and positions. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple device structure while achieving versatility across different body types through motion-based adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of device position along the spine based on measured spine characteristics. By measuring the distance from the cervical vertebra to coccyx and calculating appropriate positions, the system adjusts where chiropractic treatment is applied. This allows the same simple device structure to effectively treat users with different body types by modifying treatment parameters rather than device geometry.
2Device complexity
If the chiropractic device is fixed at average position, then the device complexity is low, but the acupuncture point stimulation precision is insufficient for individual users
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-measurement and self-adjustment by using the motor's own operating current to detect spine position characteristics. The control unit measures the distance from cervical vertebra to coccyx by analyzing motor current during movement, then automatically calculates and positions acupuncture points based on these measurements. This eliminates the need for complex external measurement devices while achieving precise individualized positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using motor operating current as a sensor signal. The control unit monitors motor current during spine scanning, detects peak values corresponding to vertebrae positions, and uses this feedback information to calculate accurate acupuncture point locations. This feedback mechanism enables precise positioning without adding complex sensing hardware.
3Ease of operation
If the device uses standardized treatment positions, then the operation is simple, but the therapeutic effect is limited for users with varying spine lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the user's spine characteristics before treatment. The control unit measures the distance from cervical vertebra to coccyx by analyzing motor current during an initial scanning phase, then uses this pre-measured data to calculate and set appropriate acupuncture point positions for the actual treatment. This preliminary action ensures reliable therapeutic effects while keeping the main treatment operation simple.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables precise control of moxibustion, acupuncture, and massage at specific acupuncture points tailored to individual body types, improving the effectiveness of thermotherapy for users of varying body types.
Implementation Method 1
measuring a resistance value between both ends of the pad
Implementation Method 2
Far-infrared rays emitted from the lamp have an acupuncture effect because they are penetrated deep into the skin
Implementation Method 3
Far-infrared rays emitted from the lamp have an acupuncture effect because they are penetrated deep into the skin
Implementation Method 4
electric heat has a moxibustion effect
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
Disclosed herein a method of determining the type of human body in a thermo-therapeutic apparatus. In the method of determining the type of human body in a thermo-therapeutic apparatus, a control unit scans the entire spine of a user by moving a moxibustion device using a horizontal motor, measures the operating current of the horizontal motor, calculates the length of the spine of the human body based on the measured operating current, and precisely determines the positions of the cervical vertebrae, the thoracic vertebrae, the lumbar vertebrae, and the coccyx that form the spine. As a result, acupuncture points suitable for a specific person are calculated and then the calculated acupuncture points are enabled to be used to administer thermotherapy.