Journal of Acupuncture Research

Korean Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine Society (대한침구의학회)
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Investigation of Micromorphological Characteristics of Acupuncture Needle Tip Using SEM-EDX

SEM-EDX를 이용한 침 끝의 미세 부착물의 조성에 대한 관찰

  • Jang, In-Soo (Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University) ;
  • Son, Dong-Hyuk (Department of Korean Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University) ;
  • Song, Ho-Seop (Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, College of Korean Medicine, Kyungwon University) ;
  • Lee, In-Hwan (School of Advanced Materials Engineering, Chonbuk National University) ;
  • Park, Jong-Bae (Harvard Medical School, Osher Institute, MA, USA)
  • 장인수 (우석대학교 한의과대학 한방내과학교실) ;
  • 손동혁 (우석대학교 한의과대학 한방내과학교실) ;
  • 송호섭 (경원대학교 한의과대학 침구학교실) ;
  • 이인환 (전북대학교 공과대학 신소재공학부) ;
  • 박종배 (하버드의과대학)
  • Published : 2005.12.20
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Abstract

Objectives : There have been several studies about the quality of acupuncture needle tip recently. We have investigated the condition of the tip of the acupuncture needles in the last studies. In the former studies, we discovered the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the acupuncture needle tips under the microscope. But, no information was available on those foreign materials' identity. Methods : We have selected 200 needles of 1000 pieces from several companies by randomized methods. And we observed the tip of the 6 needles selected finally at ${\times}1000\;or\;{\times}3000$ magnification and analyzed the components of the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips with a SEM-EDX analyser. Results : We found that the identity of the metallic scuff, lumps and irregularities of the needle tips were metallic materials and silicon. For example, A point was composed of Fe(69.78%), Cr(17.71%), Ni(8.11%), Zn(2.04%), Si(1.23%), Mn(1.12%), and B point was composed of Si(66.40%), Fe(26.76%), Cr(6.84%). Conclusion : The results of this study confirm that there is a real possibility of the remaining of metallic materials and silicon in body of patient, after acupuncture treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify our efforts to make needles of good quality and to concentrate on manufacturing process of acupuncture needles completely to be free from danger in acupuncture treatment.

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