Coupling device in electroacupuncture

• US 5,857,968 A
• Filed: 11/24/1997
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Anuthep Benja-Athon
• Original Assignee: Anuthep Benja-Athon
• Inventors: Benja-Athon, Anuthep
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US08/976,585
• Time in Patent Office: 414 Days
• Field of Search: 600/372, 600/373, 600/377, 600/382, 607/46, 606/189, 128/907
• US Class Current: 600/372
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/002 Using electric currents electrotherapy A61N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 39/08 Devices for applying needles to such points, i.e. for acupuncture ; Acupuncture needles or accessories therefor

Abstract

A first independent electricity-conductive cradle comprises a visual-enhancement materials and a continuation of the electricity conducting electrical lead on the floor of the cradle and within an electricity conductive strip in said cradle adaptable to be introduced to and fit the handle of a second independent, percutaneously implanted metallic electro-acupuncture needle and pin thereby results in an excessively-tight coupling of said cradle and handle for affixing said electrical lead to the electricity conductive means of said handle in electroacupuncture to either reduce the risk or eliminate the transmission of infection and diseases. The continuation of the electricity conductive material of the shaft member is the handle of the acupuncture needle and pin and also on and along the wall of the handle. The excessively-tight linkage of the cradle and the handle ensures the optimal contact of the electrical lead and the needle and pin, and, therefore, the flow of the electricity from the electrical lead, the strip, cradle, handle, the continuation of the shaft, the shaft of the acupuncture needle to the person. Adhesive on one wall of the cradle permits reversible attachment of the cradle to the skin during electroacupuncture. The cradle and handle contain visualization enhancement materials to increase visualization and spatial localization of the handle and the cradle. The excessively tight coupling compels the disposal of the acupuncture pin and electrical lead after one single use.

Claims

1. A first independent electricity-conductive cradle incorporates a visual-enhancement means and a continuation of the electricity conducting means of an electrical lead on and ending within an electricity conductive strip means on the floor of said cradle adaptable to be introduced to and fit the handle of a second independent, metallic electro-acupuncture needle and pin having the shaft means percutaneously implanted in the tissues of a person thereby results in an excessively-tight coupling of said cradle and handle for affixing said electrical lead to the electricity-conductive means of said handle in electroacupuncture to either reduce the risk or eliminate the transmission of infection and diseases comprising:

connection means;

contact means for the flow of electrical current;

adhesive means; and

visualization enhancement means.

2. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said connection means is the handle of said acupuncture needle and pin.

3. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said connection means is said cradle which is a 3/4-circular trough adaptable to fit to said handle.

4. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said contact means for the flow of electrical current is said electricity-conductive cradle.

5. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said contact means for the flow of electrical current is the electrical lead housed on the floor of said cradle.

6. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said contact means for the flow of electrical current is the electricity-conductive strip means on the floor of said cradle.

7. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said contact means for the flow of electrical current is the electricity-conductive handle means of said needle and pin.

8. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said contact means for the flow of electrical current is the electricity-conductive continuation of the shaft on the outer wall of said handle.

9. The cradle and electro-acupuncture needle and pin according to claim 1 wherein said adhesive means is the adhesive on one outside wall of said cradle adaptable to reversibly attach said cradle to the skin.

10. The cradle according to claim 1 wherein said visualization enhancement means is incorporated into said cradle comprises light-emitting substance, light-sensitive substance, light-activated substance, and light-reflective substance.

11. A visualization enhancement means incorporates into the electricity-conductive handle of a second independent metallic electro-acupuncture needle and pin adaptable to snap into and fit a first independent electricity-conductive cradle comprising a visual-enhancement means and a continuation of the electricity conducting means of an electrical lead on and ending within an electricity conductive strip means on the floor of said cradle in electroacupuncture to either reduce the risk or eliminate the transmission of infection and diseases comprising:

light-emitting substance;

fluorescence;

light-sensitive substance;

light-activated substance; and

light-reflective substance.