Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~;~0;~3
lhis invention relates to a method and apparatus ~o~
use in electronic acupuncture. The method and apparatus
of the invention may also be used for applying other
stimulating signals to a user.
Acupuncture has been practiced for many centuries
in China but has been adopted only to a very modest
extent in the West. A major deterrent has been that
acupuncture has traditionally typically required a
one hour treatment per day by a physician ovex several
months, employing needles. Many patients have a
fear or dislike of needles and the amount of physicians'
time required per patient is too high.
To avoid the use of needles, electro acupuncture
instruments employing hand held pencil shaped probes
have be~n developed, as disclosed in U.S. patent
4,180,079 issued December 25, 1979 to T.W. Wing.
Such instruments have relied upon the application of
electrical pulses instead of needles. They have not
so far as the applicants are aware been successful
and have not been widely used.
The invention in one of its aspects provides a
device which can be used to provide daily acupuncture
treat~lent at a clinic or a user's homes without the
use of needles or probes. According to the invention
:~0~6`~33
-- 3
in one aspect, at least three acupuncture points on
the user's body are selected and electrode pads are
secured to the skin surface at these points. Electrical
pulses are then applied to one or more of these points
at a time and are randomly switched among the points
to prevent habituation of the nervous system to
repetitive signals.
In one aspect the invention provides apparatus
for applying a stimulating signal to a user comprising-
(a) means for providing said stimulating signal,
(b) at least three channels each for applying said
signal to said user,
(c) and means for randomly switchlng said signal
among said channels to reduce habituation of the brain
of said user.
In another aspect the invention provides acupunc-
ture apparatus comprising:
(a) means for producing an electrical acupuncture
signal,
~b) at least three channels each for applying said
signal to a user,
(c) and means for randomly switching said siynal
among said channels to reduce habituation of the brain
of said user.
33
In still another aspect the invention provides
acupuncture apparatus comprlsing:
(a) means :Eor provid.ing an electrical acupuncture
signal,
(b) at leas-t three channels each for applying said
signal to a user,
(c) and a set of electroconductive pads, one pad
for each channel, each pad being of area at least
equal to one square centimeter and including fastening
means secured thereto for securing such pad firmly
over an acupuncture point.
Further objects and advantages of the invention
will appear from the following description, taken
together with the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig~ 1 (sheet 1) is a block diagram of apparatus
according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 ~sheet 1) shows a pulse train produced by
the apparatus of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 tsheet 1) shows a skin pad and tape ar-
rangement for use with the apparatus of the invention;
Fig. 4 (sheet 2) is a circuit diagram showing in
detail the pulse generator of the Fig. 1 apparatus;
Fig. 5 (sheet 3) is a drawing showing various
wave orms for the pulse generator of Fig. 4
,--
Fiy. 6 (sheet 4) i~ a circuit diagram showing in
detail other portions of the Fig. 1 apparatus;
Fig. 7 (sheet 5) is a circuit diagram showing in
detail the random selection circuit of the Fig. 1 ap-
paratus;
Fig~ 8 (sheet 1) is a plot showing the variation
of frequency with time of a variable frequency 05cil-
lator in the Fig, 7 circuit; and
Fig. 9 ~sheet 6) is a block diagram of a bio-
feedback arrangement which may be used with the appa~
ratus of the invention.
Reference is first made to Fig. 1, which shows a block
diagram of an electrotherapy (e.g. electronic acupuncture)
apparatus 10 according to the invention...As shown, the
apparatus 10 includes a pulse generator 12 which produces
a pulse train of the kind shown at 14 in Fig. 2. The pulse
train 14 consists of a set of negative pulses 16 of
repetition rate equal approximately to 200 Hz, divided
into groups 18 having a repetiti.on rate of approximately
4 Hz. In practice, the optimum frequencies can differ
from one individual to another and therefore the repeti-
tion rate of pulses 16 can be made adjustable from
about 100 to 500 Hz and the repetition rate of the
groups 18 of the pulses 16 can be made adjustable from
about 1 to 50 Hz.
6 ~
It has been de~ermined in accordance with the
invention that the stimulation of more -than one acu-
puncture point at the same time or in reasonably
close time proximity is much more effective than the
stimulation of a single acupuncture point. I-t appears
that the stimulation of more than one poin-t at a time
or in reasonably close time proximity causes a
synergistic effect. Therefoxe the pulse train generator
output terminal, indicated at 20, is connected to a
number of channels (here shown as six in number) iden-
tified by conductors 22-1 to 22-6 in Fig. 1. The
conductors 22-1 to 22-6 are directed to six separate
gain controls 2~-1 to 24-6 so that the gain of each
channel can be separately adjusted, thus to control
the intensity of the signal applied to the subject
through each channel. A seventh channel, ~ot shownJ
is neutral.
It has been determined in accordance with the
invention that if an electronic acupuncture signal is
applied to any acupuncture point for a long period of
time, the brain habituates, i.e. lt tends to ~ilter
out any such monotonous signal. Dependiny on the in-
dividual, it is found that the brain commonly habituates
in between about 2 and 20 seconds. Therefore, according
to the invention the electronic acupuncture signal
(i.e. the pulse train 14 shown in Fig. 2) is switched
randomly from one channel to another to prevent or
reduce habituation. (The randomnes~ bypasses the brain
filters and dishabituates the neural circuits.)
Accordingly, the outputs of the gain controls
24-1 to 24 6 are direc~ed through a set of six channel
select switches 26-1 to 26-6. The switches 26-1 to 26-6 are
closed one at a time in random sequence by a random
selection circuit 27, to be described. The outputs
of the channel select switches are connected together
and directed to a single output circuit 28 which sets
the output current and also acts as a constant current
source. The constant current source output circuit is
used to overcome variations in skin impedance during
treatment and to maintain a steady current during
treatment.
The output of output circuit 28 is fed through
another set of six channel select switches 30-1 to 30-6.
Switches 30-lto 30-6 are formed by relay contacts of
relays (to be described) which are ganged with channel
select switches 26-1 to 26-6 so that -they are operated,
one at a time, in unison with switches 26-1 to 26-6.
The switches 30-1 to 30 6 are to ensure complete discon
nection of any electrical circuit from a skin pad
except when the xelay in question i5 closed. The s~7it-
ches 30-1 to 30-6 are directed to six pads 32-1 to 32-6
~2~26~3
-- 8 --
which are in use secured to acupuncture points at six
different locations on a user's body.
A typical pad 32-1 is shown diagrammatically
in Fig. 3 (all are the same). The pad 32-1 consists
of an electroconductive surface larger than one cm2
surface area (e.g. standard carbon impregnated
polymer pad 34) secured to the skin by a band 36,
or any adhesive tape which can stick to the skin.
The band 36 may have plastic portions 38 spliced
therein or be of elastic material throughout so that
when the pad is applied over an ac~puncture point and
the band is used to secure the pad in position, suffi-
cient tension can be achieved to press the pad firmly
against the user's skin. The band can be buckled by
Velcro (trade mark) tape. As the pads are larger
than one cm , the likelihood of missing the acupuncture
points is greatly reduced. Hence less skill is
required for a patient to self administer the pads.
A detailed explanation of the circuit shown in
Fig. 1 now ~ollows, with reference firstly to Fig. 4,
which shows the pulse generator circuit 12 in detail.
As shown, the pulse generator circuit 12 includes two
model ICM 555 integrated circuits made by Intersil Inc.
of Cupertino, California, U.S.A. and indicated
at ICl and IC2. The numbers shown in bracketq on the
integrated circui-ts (and on the other integrated cir-
cuits shown in the drawings) are the actual pin numhers
of the devices as sold. The integrated circuits ICl
and IC2 are connected in standard f~qh;~n to form a varlable
duty cycle multi-vibrator 39 which is best undeLsLood from a
~ r;~tion of its operation, which is as follows. When pcw-
er is applied, by a switch not shcwn, capacitor C7 charges
via diode Dl, briefly holding pin 2 of circuit ICl lcw. This
triggers circuit ICl whose output pin 3 goes high.
The period for which circuit ICl remains on is det~rm;n~
by the voltage at its pins 6 and 7. When capacitor Cl ~llaLy~s
through resistors Rl and VRl to a pL~dei~ ;n~ le~el, circuit
ICl goes off. The duration of the on cycle of circuit ICl is
typically set at one m; ll;.q~~n~ (but can be varied from 50
microse~on~.q to one m;ll;.qecond) by a~ju~ nL of resistor
VRl. Variations in the duration of the pulses ~L~C~s a sig-
nificant change in the effect of the pulses on the user.
Since longer pulses produce stimulae of greater intensity,
this provides a second adjustment (common to all channels) of
the intensity of the stimulae applied to the user (the first
adjustment being the gain control resistors 24-1 to 24-6 ~or
the individual channels as mentioned).
When circuit ICl turns off, its pin 3 goes low
and triggers circuit IC2 ~ia capacitor C3 and resistors
R2, R3. Circuit IC2 turns on and its pin 3 goes high
for a period determined by the voltage at its pins 6
-- 10 --
and 7, controlled by capacitor C4 charging through
resistors VR2, V~3, RA. With variable resistor VR2
set at zero resistance, vaxiable resistor VR3 is adjust-
ed so that the on cycle of circuit IC2 is 1. 5 milli-
seconds. Capacitor C4 is selected such that whenvariable resistor V~2 is adjusted from zero -to 50,000
ohms, the on period of circuit IC2 changes from l.S
milliseconds to 9 milliseconds.
The outputs from pins 3 on circuits ICl and IC2,
shown at 40 and 42 in Fig. 5a and Fig. Sb, are fed
respectively to integrated circuits IC3b and IC3a,
which together form a quad NOR gate. Both circuits
IC3a and IC3b are formed on a single chip sold
under No. CD4001 by the RCA company of New Jersey,
Circuits IC3a and IC3b are also controlled by an
oscillator IC4. Oscillator IC4, which consists of an
integrated circuit sold under No. TL081 by Texas
Instruments of Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. is connected
in standard oscillator configuration to produce pulses
as shown at 44 in Fig. 5c.
The frequency of oscillator IC4 is adjusted by
variable resistor VR6, and the range of frequencies
is adjusted by switch 46. In the open position shown,
the repetition rate of oscillator ICA is adjustable from
one to ten Hz, while when switch 46 is closed, the rep-
etition rate of oscillator IC4 is adjustable ~rom 5 to
50 Hz.
The output from oscillator IC4 is used to gate
the pulses from circuits IC2 and IC3. When the output
from oscillator IC4 is positive, diode D4 conducts and
drives pins 2 and 13 of circui-ts IC3a, IC3b high. This
holds the outputs of these circuits low, inhibiting
pulse output. When the output of oscillator IC4 goes
negative, diode D4 is reverse biased; pins 12 and 13
on circuits IC3a, IC3b go low, and pulses appear at the
outputs of these circuits.
It will be seen that because an output is produced
by circuit IC3b only when the outputs of oscillator
IC4 and circuit ICl are both low, thus the output from
gate IC3b coincides in time with the times when circuit
IC2 is on. Similarly, because there is an output ~rom
circuit IC3a only when the outputs of oscillator IC4 and
circuit IC2 are both low, thus the oukput from gate IC3a
coincides with the times when circuit ICl is on. The
output pulses from circuits IC3a and IC3b are shown at
48, 50, respectively in Fig. 5d and 5e.
The pulses 48 from circuit. IC3b are directed to
pin 2 of integrated circuit IC5a, which is formed by an
integrated circuit sold under No. LF353 by
National Semiconductor of California, U.S.A.
Circuit IC5a inverts the pulses 48 and feeds the inver-
ted pulses via its output pin 1 to a potential divider
26il33
consisting of variable resistors VR4 and VR5. Variable
resistor VR5 is ganged as shown to variable resistor VR2
and in fact the two resistors are formed by a dual 50,000
ohm control, for a purpose to be described shortly.
The output from variable resistor VR5, shown at 52
in Fig. 5f, is combined with the output rom circuit
IC3a in an adder IC5b. Adder IC5b is an integxated
circuit formed on the same chip as circuit IC5a. The
polarity of the resultant signal is inverted in adder
IC5b, so that the output pulse train now a~pears as
shown at 14 in Fig. 5g and is in fact the final pulse
train, subject to processing through a constant current
source.
The purpose of the ganged resistors VR2 and VR5
is as f~llows. It is found that if only negative
pulses are applied to tissue during electronic acu-
puncture, the points of application become polarized
and the application of the pulses becomes less effec-
tive. The circuits shown ensures that the integral
of the output signal 14 from circuit IC5b is always
zero, i.e. that the area under the positive bias pulses
14b is always equal to the area under the negative or
stimulating pulses 14a.
13 -
In order to ensure tha-t the .in-tegral of signal 14
is æero, the relation Al~aT14a ~l4bTl4b
tained, where Al4a is the amplitude of pulses 14a; T14~
is the duration of each pu]se 14a; A14b is the amplitude
of the bias pulses 14b; and T14b is the duration of each
bias pulse 14b.
Since in the initial setting the duration of the
stimulating pulses Tl4a is set at l millisecond and
the duration of the hias pulses Tl4b is set at 1.5
milliseconds, therefore variable resistor VR4 is
initially adjusted so that Al4b = 2/3 Al4a~ Then,
as variable resistor VR2 is adjusted to vary the period
between pulses 14a (i.e~ the length of the bias pulses
14b) from 1.5 to 9 milliseconds, the amplitude A14b of
the bias pulses is adjusted automatically to vary from
2/3 to 1/9 of Al4a
The final pulse train 14 from circuit IC5b is
directed to the six channel conductors 22-l to 22-6
and hence to the six gain controls 24-1 to 24-6 (Fig.
6). From the gain controls the pulse train or signal
14 is directed through the six channel select switches
26-l to 26-6, here shown as six ~ield effect transistors
Ql to Q6. The gates 54 l to 54-6 of transistors Q1 to
Q6 are connected to the random selection circuit 27 as
will be described. The drains of transistors Ql to
Q6 are connected together and to an operational ampli-
fier IC6 which provides gain and improvement of the
pulse train shape. Since amplifier IC6 acts as an in-
verter, its output is again inverted by amplifier IC7
to present the correct polariky signal to the output
circuit.
The output circuit shown at 28 in Fig. 6
includes four transistors Q7, Q8, Q9 and Q10. Bias
networks D20,R29 and R30, and D22, D31, VR12
and R32 set the collector currents of transistors Q7
and Q8 at about 0.5 milliamperes. This in turn sets the
collector currents of transistors Q9 and Q10 at about
2.8 milliamperes. A positive signal at the input 58
of the output circuit 28 turns transistor Q7 on and
transistor Q8 off. A negative signal turns transistor
Q7 off and transistor Q8 on. Thus, a positive signal
has one channel through the output circuit to the load,
and a negative signal has another channel through the
output circuit to the load. The arrangement shown acks
essentially as a constant current source, helping to
ensure that the current applied to the load ~i.e. to
the skin pads 32 1 to 32-6) is constant despite changes
in skin impedance and in the contact between the pads
and the skin during treatment D In addition, variable
resistor VR12 allows the output aurrent to be set to
zero (or to a small predetermined DC value, as will be
-- 15 --
explained) when th~re is no input signal to -the oukput
circuit 28. Circuit 28 is typlcally able to deliver
negative pulses of between 50 and 5000 microamperes
to the load.
The signal from the output terminal 60 of the
output circuit 28 is directed through six conductors
62-1 to 62-6 (Fig. 6) and the six relay conkacts 30-1
to 30-6 to an output connector 64. The output con-
nector 6~ is connected through six conductors 66-1 to
66-6 to the six skin pads 32-1 to 32-6. The conductors
66-1 to 66-6 are preferably colour coded for ease of
identiEication by the user. A seventh conductor 66-7
acts as a common lead and is connected to ground in
the apparatus 10 and to a seventh skin pad 32-7 which
is connected at any desired location to the user.
Reference is next made to Fig. 7, which shows the
random selection circuit 27 which controls the channel
selection transistors Ql to Q6 and relay contacts 30-1
to 30-6. As shown, seiection circuit 27 includes a
variable frequency oscillator 68 formed by two inte-
grated circuits IC8, IC9, both circuits sold under No.
ICM 555 by Intersil Inc. of Cupertino, California,
U~S~Ao The circuits are connected as shown to form
a variable frequency oscilla-tor having a center
- 16 -
frequency of about 800 Hz and a relatively rapid
variation frequency about this center frequency.
Specifically, circuit IC9 produces oscillations at
a frequency of 800 ~z which are modulated by + 50 Hz
by circuit IC8. A typical variation in fxequency
of oscillator 68 with time is shown at 69 in Fig. 8.
In a prototype unit built according to the invention,
the period or time required for the variation between
750 Hz and 850 Hz was 70 milliseconds.
The output pin 3 of circuit IC9 of oscillator
68 is connected to a counter 70. Counter 70 is typi-
cally model CD4017 sold by the RCA company of New
Jersey, U.S.A. Counter 70 has six sequential outputs
72, also indicated by the pin numbers shown in
brackets of the device as actually sold (1, 10,
7, 4, 2, 3). The variable frequency oscillator 68
drives the counter 70 at a count rate which varies with
the frequency of oscillator 68. As the count proceeds, the six
output pins 72 of the counter 70 are driven high in
sequence. On the seventh count, pin 5 o counter IC10
goes high and resets the counter to zero.
The six output pins 72 of counter 70 are connected
respectively to the inputs 74-1 to 76-1 of six NAND
gates 76-1 to 76-6. The other six inputs of the NAND
gates 78-1 to 78-6 are connected together and to ~he
.1L~OZ~B3
- 17 -
inhibit pin 13 of counter 70, as well as to the output
of a multivibrator oscillator 80.
Multivibrator 80 is similar to the oscillator
39 shown in Fig. 4 and consists of two integrated cir~ :
cuits ICll and IC12, both circuits model numbers IC~7555
connected as shown in a similar manner to that of Fig. 1.
The "on" pexiod of circuit ICll is set by capacitors
C21, C22 and resistors R46, VR13. The "off" time of
circuit ICll, which is the "on" time of circuit IC12,
is set by capacitors C23, C24 and resistors R47, VR14.
The output pin 3 of circuit ICll serves as the output
of multivibrator 80 and is connected as mentioned to the
inhibit pin 13 of counter 70 as well as to the six in-
puts 78-1 to 78-6 of NAND gates 76-1 to 76-6.
The outputs of NAND gates 76-1 to 76-6 are connected
respectively to six inverters, shown as integrated cir-
cuits IC14-1 to IC14-6 (formed in pairs on three chips
each model number CD4011 sold by the RCA company
of New Jersey, U.S.A.). The inverter out-
puts are respectively connected through six diodes D25
to D30 and six resistors R48 to R58 to the bases o~
six transistors Qll to Q16. Each transistor Qll to
Q16 has its collector connected to ground and its emit-
ter connected to a respective relay coil Kl to K6, the
~2~ 3
- 18 -
other terminals of the relay colls being connected to
+9 volts. The relay contacts 30-1 to 30-6 are contacts
of relays Kl to K6 respectively. Each relay coil Kl to
K6 has a light emitting diode LED-l to LED-6 respec-
tively connected across it to indicate when it is
operated.
In addition, the collectors of transistors Qll to
~16 are connected respectively to the gates 54-l to 54-6
of field effect transistors Ql to Q6 (Fig. 6).
The selection action of the random selection cir-
cuit 27 is as follows. Assume that counter 70 is
counting and circuit ICll is off. When circuit ICll
turns on, its pin 3 goes high; counter 70 is inhibited,
stopping it in mid count, and one only of the NAND gates
76-l to 76-6 (connected to the counter pin at which the
count has stopped) will have both its inputs high.
Assume that the selected gate is gate 76-4. The
selected gate 76-4 will remain in this condition so
long as circuit ICll remains on, since continued count-
ing of the counter 70 has been inhibited.
The selected NAND gate 76-4, having both its in-
puts high, has a low output which when fed through
inverter IC14-4 produces a high output to txansistor
Q14. Transistor Ql4 then turns on, operatlng relay K4
and turning on field effect transistor Q4. When relay
K4 operates, its contact 30-4 closes. This causes the
-- 19 --
pulse train 14 to be applied through conductor.s 22-4,
62-4 and 66-4 to pad 32-4. At the same time, light ~.
emitting diode LED-4 glows, indicating that relay K-4
has been operated and that signal is being applied -
through pad 32-4 to the user.
When circuit ICll turns off, the input 78-4 of
selected NAND gate 76-4 goes low. Since one of the
inputs to gate 76 4 is now low, the output of gate
76-4 goes high again, and the output of inverter IC15-4
goes low, cutting off current to the selected transistor
Q14 and turning off relay K4. Hence no pulse train is :
applied to any of the pads until circuit ICll turns
again.
It will thus be seen that the application time of
the pulse train 14 to each skin pad 32-1 to 32-4 is
controlled by the on tlme of circuit ICll, and the rest
period between applications of signal to a skin pad
is controlled by the on time of circuit IC12. The on
time of circuit ICll can be adjusted by variable res-
istor VR13 as desired, typically between 2 and 20
seconds. The on time of ci.rcuit IC12 (i.e. the rest
intervals between applications of the pulse train~ can
be controlled by adjustment of variable resistor VR15 .~
and will typically be between 1 and 10 seconds~ .
Although the provision of a rest interval bet~een
application of pulse trains is not essential, it is
!
l~Zbi~33
- 20 -
found to be helpful both in provlding relief between
stimulations and in enhancing dishabituation of the
brain.
Although it is preferred that a substantial number ~-~
of acupuncture points be used at one time (e.g. at
least five or six points), it is found that reasonable
dishabituation of the brain can be achieved with
random switching between at least three points.
It should be noted that the term "random" as `
used in this description and in the appended claims
is not intended to mean a truly random switching,
since virtually any practical circuit used will have
a pattern which will at some time repeat. However,
the objective is simply to provide a switching pattern,
lS from one pad to another, which is sufficiently variable
to reduce to a low level or su~stantially eliminate
habituation of the brain, and therefore the term
"random" as used herein is intended to mean a pattern
which is sufficiently variahle for this purpose. It
should also be understood that the switching should be
at intervals which are sufficiently short that sub-
stantial habituation does not occur, but the intervals
must not be too short or they will be ignored
~)Z~13
- 21 -
by the brain. Since habituation commonly occurs
after between about 2 and 20 seconds (depending on
the individual), switching of the signal from one
pad to another after between 5 and20 seconds has
been found to be suitable in most cases. The circuit
shown is sufficiently random that the signal may
occasionally be applied to the same pad twice in
succession. In some cases the switching interval
can be as short as one second or as high as 30 seconds
or more, and in a few instances the switching interval
can be as high as 600 seconds, although this is not
preferred.
It will be appreciated that if desired, signal
can be applied to more than one skin pad at a time.
lS For example, two of the relay contacts 30-1 to 30-6
and two of the channel selector transistors Q1 to Q6
may be operated at any given time, to apply signal to
two pads at a time. This may be achieved by using a
counter 70 which counts in pairs, or by employing two
counters 70.
It will be seen that the Fig. 5 circuit includes
a selector switch 82 containing terminals 84-1 to 84-6
and a seventh terminal 84-7 marked as "randoml'.
Terminals 84-1 to 84-6 are connected directly to the
cathodes of diodes D25 to D30 so that when the movable
~;ZOZ~13
- 22 -
switch contact 86 is connected directly to,any of the
terminals 84-1 to 84-6, a positive voltage is applied
directly to the base of a selected transistor Q11 to
Q16 respectively, operating a selected relay and field
effect transistor Q1 to Q6 to apply the pulse train 14
to a desired pad. When the switch contact is connected
to terminal 84-7, +9 volts is applied to the variable
frequency oscillator 68, the counter 70, and the multi-
vibrator 80, producing random channel selection.
If desired, the apparatus shown can be equipped
with means for applying a very small negative DC cur-
rent, either pulsed or of constant level, to a desired
location on a user's body in place of the pulse train
14 described. It is found that a very small DC
current, of ~etween 5 and 10 microamperes, can improve
regeneration o nerves and other tissue'after damage.
This current i5 substantially smaller than the current
normally used or acupuncture.
For this purpose switch contact 88 is provided as
shown in Fig. 6, movable between the terminal 90 which
is the normal position for acupuncture, and terminal
92 in which the current flows through a fixed resistor
R99 and a variable resistor VR100. The variable
resistor VR100 is of value such that the current can
be reduced to approximately 0.1 to 10 microampere
- 23 -
pulses. The pulses can be bi-polar as provided by the
pulse generator circuit 12 described, or alternatively
the bias can be turned off by switch 94 shown in
dotted lines in Fig. 4. Alternatlvely, pure DC
S current (which is preferred for nerve and tissue
regeneration) can be supplied by leaving switch
contact 88 on terminal 90 and turning off the pulse
train 14 (e.g. by opening a switch, not shown, in
the circuit to terminal 20). Variable resistor VR12
can then be adjusted to set the output of circuit 56
at between 0 and + 50 microamperes.
The apparatus shown lends itself to use with ~io-
feedback, in which the user observes a par~icular para-
meter, such as his pulse rate, or the wave form of his
electrocardiogram, or his blood pressure, or his sXin
resistance, or the form of certain brain waves, and adjusts
the acupuncture pulse train frequencies and current
in an attempt to influence these parameters. A block
diayram for such an arrangement is shown in Fig. 8.
As shown, the apparatus 10 of the invention is con-
nected to a user indicated at 100. Contacts 102 con-
nected to the user are connected to a measurement
device 104 which measures a parameter such as the user's
electrocardiogram. The measurement device 104 is con-
I
)2~3
- 2~ -
nected to a comparator 106, which is also connected
to a storage device 108 containing a representation of
a "normal" electrocardiogram. Each electrocardiogram
is sub~ected to Fourier analysis in the comparator 106
(e.g. three or four major peaks are selected), and the
difference between the actual and observed electrocardio-
grams is used to drive the apparatus of the invention
in an attempt to reduce the difference between the two.
Alternatively the comparator 106 can simply be a dual
bea~ oscilliscope, with the "normal" electrocardiogram
displayed with one beam and the observed electrocardio-
gram displayed ~y the other beam, so that the user him-
self can attempt to match the two as closely as pos-
sible. The same approach may be used for other para-
meters such as those mentioned.
Although the description has referred to the
signal applied to the user as an electrical acupuncture
signal, such signal can if desired be a different type
of signal, e.g. a different electrical signal or a
non-electrical signal, e.g. an optical signal, a
thermal signal, or a radiation signal.
