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Mechanical vs. Pneumatic Model of Measuring Probe in Voltage Acupuncture Skin Mapping

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Our contribution deals with the method of the voltage-impedance map measurement process involving a mechanical and pneumatic model of measuring probe. The conventional mechanical telescopic electrodes show significant disadvantages while placing them on a difficult or non-plane surface. Depending on the covered shape the electrodes do not have sufficient contact to the skin in one case or the closest tips are pressed almost completely in, causing a significant higher force than the rest of the measuring probe and causes also measuring discomfort for human object of measurement. To achieve a better coverage of any skin area and get a reduced force range of the touching electrodes a new pneumatic version of measuring probe has been implemented.
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International Review of Automatic Control (I.RE.A.CO.), Vol. 8, N. 6
ISSN 1974-6059 November 2015
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved
434
Mechanical vs. Pneumatic Model of Measuring Probe
in Voltage Acupuncture Skin Mapping
M. Kukučka1, 5, Š. Kozák1, A. Weisze2, D. Ďuračková3, V. Stopjaková3,
Z. Krajčušková3, M. Teplan4, 5
Abstract Our contribution deals with the method of the voltage-impedance map measurement
process involving a mechanical and pneumatic model of measuring probe. The conventional
mechanical telescopic electrodes show significant disadvantages while placing them on a difficult
or non-plane surface. Depending on the covered shape the electrodes do not have sufficient
contact to the skin in one case or the closest tips are pressed almost completely in, causing a
significant higher force than the rest of the measuring probe and causes also measuring
discomfort for human object of measurement. To achieve a better coverage of any skin area and
get a reduced force range of the touching electrodes a new pneumatic version of measuring probe
has been implemented. Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved.
Keywords: Acupuncture Point, Human Skin, Measuring Probe, Mechanical, Pneumatic
Electrodes
I. Introduction
Scientific research in physics, medicine and in
electrical engineering considers human skin a subject of
great interest and potential. The properties relevant for
the purposes of electrical engineering are dictated by the
skin’s structure and material.
Specific parts of human or animal skin are called
acupuncture points or active points, and have been
subject of various research publications.
The answer to the question of how to go about
visualizing these points can be found by using the results
of measuring the impedance-voltage map. Acupuncture
points have been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine
for several thousand years. Researchers have been trying
to describe them, to measure their electrical properties
and have been publishing their results for many years.
ACU-points are used in electro-acupuncture and in
new non-standard diagnostic and therapeutic methods in
medical devices [1]. In TCM (Traditional Chinese
Medicine) meridians are depicted as structures for the
transport of energy.
Vital energy flows through them, while the aim of the
healing process is to put their flow in balance. Meridians
are visible by their active points [2], and measurable on
the skin surface. Researchers consider these channels to
be areas in extracellular space where electrical charges
flow through. A deviation of the flow of energy (in
comparison to normal patterns) causes unbalance in the
body and can cause illness.
Using electrical measurement is obvious that fact of
measured voltage-impedance minimums and reduced
impedance on some areas of skin are practically useful
for the unfolding of ACU-points.
Researchers and medical professionals are interested
in discerning the aforementioned electrical points, by
way of electrical measurement. At first they believed the
measured results were influenced by the body structures
under the skin as veins or nerves. Some of the tissue
structures do indeed influence the flow of charges
through the skin layers and have been contributing to low
impedance at these points. But for the rest of ACU-points
mentioned physiognomic causes are not significant in
spite of that these points are recognizable by described
electrical measurement [2].
It is possible to find these special structures called
meridians, to measure them, and to show them
objectively as special paths inside of human body. Based
on their specific properties it is possible to establish that
their active points are significant with the impedance
between selected meridian points approximately about
hundreds of kilo Ohms, between selected meridian point
and the surrounding skin area is different impedance,
approximately of mega Ohms, the electric capacity of
active points is higher, up to 500 nF. The capacity of the
skin’s surface on non active points reaches only about
10 nF.
According to various authors meridians are considered
to be electric channels. The blockage of the flow of
currents in channels leads to a higher concentration of
positive or negative charge. An expression of that in a
person’s body could be pain or specific disease
symptoms. From a technical point of view it could be
assumed that higher electric potential, higher electric
capacity, lower electric resistance, higher skin respiration
and higher local temperature has been measured on
active points on the skin in compare with the rest skin
areas [1], [3], [4].
M. Kukučka, Š. Kozák, A. Weisze, D. Ďuračková, V. Stopjaková, Z. Krajčušková, M. Teplan
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Automatic Control, Vol. 8, N. 6
435
The different qualitative indicators of deeper layer of
the skin in active meridian points that were observed are:
a lower level of sensitivity for electric stimulation; higher
electric capacity; higher conductivity of isotopic tracers.
Some sources, e.g. in [2]-[4] describe the measurement
of electric parameters of the skin on meridians.
Meridian investigations have been used in
acupuncture for prevention, diagnostics and also for
therapy. They have important functions in the human
body in information, energetic and regulative body
functions.
Information about the actual state of the body and its
function is reflected in voltages and impedances of active
points on specific meridians. Meridian values are
signified by disorders in energy flow in the whole
organism. But how can this information be evaluated
properly? It is necessary to respect the laws and the
knowledge of classic acupuncture in the evaluation
process.
A wide range of positions and properties of
acupuncture physical body structures is described in
literature and in online web sources [3].
Stimulation of explicit active points has measurable
therapeutic effects [4], [5]. Specific active points and
related skin areas of the “Large Intestine Meridian LI
Meridian” have been chosen for our considerations and
experimental measurements [6].
In this paper it would be demonstrated that certain
points are sufficiently measurable by classical
mechanical probes, but for proper measurement of other
points, it is more suitable to use a newly designed
pneumatic measuring probe because of its better access
and minimal pressure on the skin during the
measurement process, as well as the minimal side effects
in comparison to classical mechanical probe
construction.
II. Model for Skin Impedance
Measurement
The equivalent model of human skin impedance can
be expressed using a single and simple passive circuit
only for one electrode-skin connection. Considering our
attention to a specific surface area of skin and using a
larger electrode probe for measurement, the equivalent
capacity of the electrode-skin connection would reach
greater capacity because of the equivalent capacity of the
number of the needle telescopic electrodes connections
used in our measuring probe.
Using a matrix of 64 of these electrodes produces a
number of equivalent circuit representations for each of
them (the capacity of electrode-skin connections are
different in different areas of skin surface). Weather
protection of skin, its healthcare and also a general health
state of person, stress and perspiration effects are also
different, affecting the capacity and conductivity
depending on the material, the square and the position of
the measuring electrode [1].
Because of a number of point connections of needle
electrodes, it was decided for the simplest model for skin
impedance interpretation. It is a parallel circuit
containing a capacitor and a resistor and a serial resistor.
The parallel connection of the capacitor Cp and the
resistor Rp in this model represents the influence of the
skin capacity and the serial resistor Rs represents the
impedance of subcutaneous tissue [3], [6].
III. Method and Skin Voltage
Mapping Device
The correct operation and function of the experimental
skin voltage mapping device is controlled by the
ATmega16 processor and for communication with the
control personal computer (PC), it uses a converter of the
USB interface to UART as a virtual serial port.
The processor is equipped with a serial port, a 10-bit
A/D converter and serial peripheral interface (SPI).
Four analogue multiplexers were used for the
controlled reconnection of measuring the electrodes
touching the measured object. The driving harmonic
signal for measurement is generated by a direct digital
synthesis generator controlled via a SPI bus by a
microprocessor [6]. Then a calculated drop of potential is
achieved using a modified version of a peak detector
(Fig. 1). The control computer and the measuring
mapping device are galvanically separated by a two
channel insulator circuits, to ensure the safety of the
patient. Another way to protect the operator or the
measured human subject from potential electric injury is
to supplying the device from accumulators.
The contact with the skin of measured object is
established by the electrodes of the measuring probe. The
touching electrodes scan the change of voltage on the
skin between the sensing electrodes and the reference
electrode during the measurement process.
Fig. 1. Functional block diagram of measuring device
M. Kukučka, Š. Kozák, A. Weisze, D. Ďuračková, V. Stopjaková, Z. Krajčušková, M. Teplan
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Automatic Control, Vol. 8, N. 6
436
Fig. 2. Realized measuring device with connected matrix probe,
reference electrode and supporting devices with control computer
The measured drop of potential on the skin under
certain electrodes is induced by driving measuring
electrical current from the generator of the device,
flowing through the unknown body impedance [9].
The maximum value of driving voltage for the
aforementioned construction of mapping device is 5 V.
An ECG clip electrode with larger conductive
touching area was chosen as a reference electrode. It
could be placed on the wrist or the inner ankle area.
It serves as the second electrode for measuring
electrical circuit connection.
IV. Mechanical and Pneumatic Sensing
Electrode Probe Construction
Several constructions of the non-invasive sensing
electrode probe were designed, developed and realized.
IV.1. Mechanical Sensing Electrode
Probe Construction
Constructions of probes were realized using different
kinds of mechanical needle electrodes [2], [6]-[8], [10],
[11], in our Research Laboratory of Biomechatronics.
The whole probe consists of a number of mechanical
electrodes. There are 64 electrodes placed into an 8×8
matrix on an isolated holding construction (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. First construction of mechanical probe
The distance of the needle peaks is 2.5 mm. Each of
the electrodes is made of a brass needle located in a
cavity shell with a nib which allows fitting each of the
electrodes to the surface of the human body and makes
the contact. New advanced tips of measuring electrodes
compared with the sharper previous electrode tip are
shown on Fig. 4.
Fig. 4. Advanced mechanical probe
The construction of the older version of the measuring
probe used special mechanical needle electrodes with a
relatively sharp tip, which caused certain discomfort
during longer experimental measurement for the
measured human subject, due to skin surface disturbing
and irritation [2].
A new mechanical probe construction was designed
with precise mechanical holder substratum and used
telescopic electrodes with a structured head tip, using
lowered driving spring force only 0.6 N (Fig. 5).
A precise holding and driving mechanical system for
precise and steady measurements was designed and
realized [3] (Fig. 6). The whole measuring system with
mechanical probe, mechanical holding and driving
system and measuring device connected to control
computer is shown in Fig. 7.
Fig. 5. New advanced electrode tips – detail
M. Kukučka, Š. Kozák, A. Weisze, D. Ďuračková, V. Stopjaková, Z. Krajčušková, M. Teplan
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Automatic Control, Vol. 8, N. 6
437
Fig. 6. Holding and driving mechanical system
Fig. 7. Measuring device with mechanical sensing probe
IV.2. Pneumatic Sensing Electrode Probe Construction
The idea of the pneumatic sensing electrode probe
construction came as a result of experimental
measurements with classic mechanical probe performed
on various skin areas. Certain areas on the human skin
have complicated access and non-stable proper contact
electrode-skin during the measurement. Also the problem
with skin irritation was remarkable in some complicated
skin areas as fingers, ears and parts of face.
The pneumatic sensing electrode probe uses a set of
64 pneumatic telescopic electrodes with a complex
mechanism and device of pressed air pipe distribution,
external controlled air compressor and pressure
distributing driving elements [1]. The complete look of
the whole pneumatic-mechanic-electronic measuring
system can be seen on Fig. 8.
The pneumatic sensing electrode probe method has
great advantage in comparison with classical mechanical
probe construction. The driving air pressure is the same
in all the distribution system and in each one of the
pneumatic electrodes.
Then the force with which each of the electrodes has
been pressing on the skin’s surface is the same regardless
of the level of the position of its tip and its length in
comparison with the surrounding electrodes. Then the
measured voltage on skin is only a function of skin
conductivity and impedance, not the different mechanic
pressure and impedance changes caused by the
perspiration and the unequal skin deformation and
irritation.
When the air compressor is activated the air pressure
in the pneumatic system gradually increases (see Fig. 9,
Fig. 10 and Fig. 11).
The pressure induces the force moving the miniature
pistons in electrodes and gradually throws out 64
electrode contacts until they stop with the head touching
the skin. Then a uniform and stable contact with skin
surface is established.
V. Experimental Measurement of
ACU-Point on Uneven Skin Area
Many ACU-points are situated on flat and well
accessible skin areas but specific ACU-points are in parts
of the human body which are harder to access.
We consider a certain part of the skin as difficult for
our mapping measurement, when that part is smaller than
the dimension of the touching part of the contact side of
the measuring probe.
Problems are also caused by the uneven skin areas of
certain parts on the human body, e.g. lateral side of
fingers on hand where important active points of several
meridians are situated. See Fig. 12 for described position
of first active points LI1 to LI6 on Large intestine (LI)
meridian.
Fig. 8. Measuring device with pneumatic sensing probe
Fig. 9. Throwing out the electrode pistons – step 1
M. Kukučka, Š. Kozák, A. Weisze, D. Ďuračková, V. Stopjaková, Z. Krajčušková, M. Teplan
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Automatic Control, Vol. 8, N. 6
438
Fig. 10. Throwing out the electrode pistons – step 2
Fig. 11. Throwing out the electrode pistons – step 3
Fig. 12. Active points LI1 to LI6 on LI meridian
V.1. Experimental Measurement with Mechanical
Electrode Probe Construction
Performing a mapping skin measurement on the
lateral side of hand finger, looking at Fig. 13, it is
noticeable that the side electrodes of the mechanical
probe are pressed in less than the rows of central
electrodes which are pressed in more deeply and the
springs inside them have been pressing the tips of these
selected electrodes on the skin by the higher force than
the side electrodes.
That fact causes non-equal measuring conditions on
the examined part of skin.
Fig. 13. Measurement on uneven surface – mechanical probe
The higher mechanical force of the central electrodes
induces skin irritation and higher perspiration and that
temporarily changes the quality of the electrical contact
for the measuring electrodes, causes lower measured
voltages on certain electrodes, falsely showing the lower
impedance of that part of skin.
In addition, from acupuncture point of view, undesired
mechanical pressure unwillingly stimulates active points
on skin in spite of the diagnostic measurement of the
important electrical properties of them. They have been
influenced and changed then.
The impact of that mentioned undesired mechanical
influence on the measured object is noticeable on Fig. 14.
Imprints of impressed electrode tips on skin are
deepest in the middle part of the probe imprint.
Fig. 14. Mechanical influence on measured object
The measured graphical results are displayed on
voltage-impedance map below (Fig 15).
In general blue parts of the map are places on the skin
with smaller measured voltage/impedance drop, yellow
or red places are surroundings with higher measured
voltage/impedance. The red-yellow upper part of the map
points up the subtle contact of upper row of electrodes
and in the same time the forced contact in the middle part
of the probe. An uneven contact of electrodes of the
probe causes deformation of measured results and could
even cause the inability to distinguish an active point on
the skin from the rest of skin under the probe.
M. Kukučka, Š. Kozák, A. Weisze, D. Ďuračková, V. Stopjaková, Z. Krajčušková, M. Teplan
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Automatic Control, Vol. 8, N. 6
439
Fig. 15. Measured graphical results – mechanical probe
A numerical form of graphical results from the map is
also displayed in the Table I.
It contains values of voltage drops of measured
voltage Ux induced by harmonic driving current
(I = 1µA, f = 1000 Hz). Measured voltage drop is the
measure of skin impedance under the measuring
electrode.
TABLE I
MEASURED VOLTAGE MATRIX FROM THE MECHANIC
ELECTRODE PROBE
Ux [V] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
A 2.00 1.91 1.97 1.94 2.09 1.97 1.94 1.94
B 1.97 1.99 1.88 1.86 1.92 1.83 1.72 1.90
C 1.95 1.97 1.90 1.87 1.75 1.86 1.90 1.87
D 1.95 1.91 1.84 1.83 1.83 1.87 1.91 1.93
E 1.96 1.85 1.81 1.89 1.85 1.89 1.85 1.95
F 1.81 1.99 1.68 1.82 1.90 1.85 1.91 2.03
G 2.03 2.06 2.04 2.03 1.85 2.08 2.11 2.16
H 2.28 2.28 2.27 2.25 2.24 2.24 2.23 2.24
V.2. Experimental Measurement with Pneumatic
Electrode Probe Construction
Now, performing a mapping skin measurement on the
same lateral side of hand finger, looking at Fig. 16, it is
noticeable that the side electrodes of the mechanical
probe are also pressed in less than the rows of the central
electrodes which are pressed in more deeply.
But in the pneumatic construction the tips of all the
electrodes have been pressing on the skin by the same
lower and comfortable force. Because of that an equal
measuring conditions for whole the probe are
established. Constant air pressure in the pneumatic
system pressing on pistons of all the electrodes causes
the same and lower force pressing on the skin under the
electrodes [2], therefore skin irritation, perspiration and
temporary change of quality of electrical contact for all
measuring electrodes are the same, see Fig. 17.
All the electrodes in the pneumatic probe system have
the same measuring conditions and have been measuring
only the electrical differences on skin induced by the skin
structure and an active point presence.
Fig. 16. Measurement on uneven surface – pneumatic probe
Fig. 17. Electrodes-skin touching detail – pneumatic probe
The measured graphical results are displayed on the
voltage-impedance map below (Fig. 18).
In general, the blue parts of the map are places on the
skin with smaller measured voltage/impedance drop,
yellow or red places are surroundings with higher
measured voltage/impedance.
Now even and gentle contact of electrodes of the
probe allows to measure proper results and better ability
to distinguish active point on skin from the rest of skin
under the probe.
Fig. 18. Measured graphical results – pneumatic probe
M. Kukučka, Š. Kozák, A. Weisze, D. Ďuračková, V. Stopjaková, Z. Krajčušková, M. Teplan
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Automatic Control, Vol. 8, N. 6
440
A numerical form of graphical results from the map is
displayed in Table II below. It contains values of voltage
drops of measured voltage Ux induced by harmonic
driving current (I = 1µA, f = 1000 Hz). The measured
voltage drop is the measure of skin impedance under the
measuring electrode, similarly as during previous
measurement.
TABLE II
MEASURED VOLTAGE MATRIX FROM THE PNEUMATIC ELECTRODE PROBE
Ux [V] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
A 2.02 1.97 2.01 2.05 1.95 2.18 2.05 2.09
B 1.95 1.92 1.95 1.47 1.47 1.88 1.86 1.90
C 1.90 1.66 1.47 1.73 1.68 1.87 1.80 1.81
D 1.83 1.53 1.46 1.74 1.77 1.89 1.87 1.92
E 1.68 1.69 1.59 1.92 1.93 1.95 2.04 1.97
F 1.96 1.73 1.52 1.75 1.71 1.77 1.82 1.98
G 1.60 1.41 1.49 1.78 1.69 1.95 1.98 2.03
H 1.93 1.99 2.07 1.95 1.97 2.04 2.06 2.06
VI. Conclusion
The research and measure of their voltage/impedance
maps of the unfolding position and the shape of certain
active points on the human skin surface has a several
years long tradition in our Research Laboratory of
Biomechatronics at the Institute of Automotive
Mechatronics FEI SUT in Bratislava. There has been
continuity in this paper with our previous research of
various parameters and conditions influencing the
process of voltage/impedance map measurements.
A measurement of active points was performed on
certain parts of the skin's surface. The parameters of the
measured voltage chart are influenced by the amplitude,
frequency, the shape of the driving electric signal and the
skin conditions such as perspiration, stress, mechanical
pressing, measuring time and also by the properties of
the measuring device construction, the used measuring
probe and the A-D convertor, measurement calibration
[12]. Particular attention was devoted to the influence of
measuring the electrode probe construction in this paper.
Various practical diagnostic systems were developed
and constructed by different scientific teams of
researchers in the area of bio-medical electronics and
biomechatronics. A device of authors [13] has open
modular conception (ECG and PPG modules) and has the
possibility to also expand into similar diagnostic voltage
mapping measurements as ours.
In general, our methods and electronic measuring
devices used for measuring of 3D voltage charts of
human body surface offer a wide space for following
practical research and can be useful in medicine,
diagnostics, therapeutic process and in education area as
well. A detailed description of the problem and related
issues exceeds the capacity of this paper and will be a
part of our future prepared incoming publications.
Acknowledgements
The paper has been created as a part of a research and
education process at the Institute of Automotive
Mechatronics and Institute of Electronics and Photonics,
FEI SUT in Bratislava, Slovak Republic and is supported
by the Grant VEGA 1/0987/12, VEGA 1/0823/13,
VEGA 1/0937/14, KEGA 011STU-4/2015 and VEGA
2/0138/16.
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Authors’ information
1Institute of Automotive Mechatronic, Faculty of Electrical
Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of
Technology in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
M. Kukučka, Š. Kozák, A. Weisze, D. Ďuračková, V. Stopjaková, Z. Krajčušková, M. Teplan
Copyright © 2015 Praise Worthy Prize S.r.l. - All rights reserved International Review of Automatic Control, Vol. 8, N. 6
441
2Dr.Ing.h.c. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, Germany.
3Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical
Engineering and Information Technology, Slovak University of
Technology in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
4Institute of Measurement Science, Slovak Academy of Sciences,
Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
5CAHUS - Center for Advanced Human Studies, Bratislava, Slovak
Republic.
Marek Kukučka was born in Bratislava,
Slovakia, November 8th 1975. In 2000 he
finished masters’ study at Faculty of Electrical
Engineering and Information Technology at
Slovak University of Technology and became
MSc. He worked as researcher at Department of
Radio and Electronics. In 2005 defended
dissertation thesis “Diagnostic processing of
medical signals” and obtained Ph.D. in electronics. He has been
working as assistant lecturer at Slovak University of Technology,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology,
Institute of Automotive Mechatronics. Before that he worked as
researcher. He is interested in biomechatronics, medical signal
processing, measurement, biomedical sensors, diagnostic methods and
systems and research in bio-medical mechatronics. Dr. Kukučka is
scientific secretary of Society for Biomedical Engineering and Medical
Informatics of Slovak Medical Association. He is member of
International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering. Dr.
Kukučka was also solutionist of many scientific projects and
coorganiser of various scientific conferences.
Štefan Kozák obtained the MSc. from the
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava
in 1970 and the PhD. in Technical Cybernetics
from the Slovak Academy of Sciences in 1978.
He worked at the Institute of Technical
Cybernetics in the field of Control algorithms
design and was leader of a research team at the
Institute of Applied Cybernetics in Bratislava.
Since 1984 he was with the Department of Automatic Control Systems
at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology in
Bratislava. Currently he is with the Institute of Automotive
Mechatronics, SUT in Bratislava. His research interests include system
theory, linear and nonlinear control methods, numerical methods and
software for modeling, control, signal processing and embedded
intelligent systems. He published over than 220 research papers in
conference proceedings and international journals, and organized
several IFAC events held in Slovakia.
Andreas Weisze has been working at
Dr.Ing.h.c. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, in Germany
and is an external postgraduate student at
Institute of Electronics and Photonics, Faculty of
Electrical Engineering and Information
Technology, Slovak University of Technology
in Bratislava.
Daniela Ďuračková has been working as
professor specialized in design of integrated
circuits at Institute of Electronics and Photonics,
Faculty of Electrical Engineering and
Information Technology, Slovak University of
Technology in Bratislava.
Viera Stopjaková has been working as
professor specialized in design of integrated
circuits at Institute of Electronics and Photonics
and as a vice dean of Faculty of Electrical
Engineering and Information Technology,
Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava.
Zuzana Krajčušková has been working as a
university teacher at the Institute of Electronics
and Photonics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering
and Information Technology, Slovak University
of Technology in Bratislava. Dr. Krajčušková is
member of Society for Biomedical Engineering
and Medical Informatics of Slovak Medical
Association, member of Society for Medical
Informatics of Slovak Medical Association and member of
International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.
Michal Teplan graduated from theoretical
physics in 1998. He has been working at the
Institute of Measurement science since 2001.
His expertise is the field of biosignals
measurement and methodology, experimental
design including its physical and biomedical
aspects. Further skills cover statistical data
analysis and modeling in Matlab environment,
dynamic and complex systems, neuroscience and biomedical
engineering.
... lateral side of fingers on hand or leg where specific active points of several meridians are situated. Performing a mapping skin measurement on the non-planar skin of lateral side of hand finger, the tips of all the electrodes have been touching the skin and pressing on it by the same lower and comfortable force, because of the same controlled constant air pressure in the system [8], [9]. Air in system is pressing on pistons of all the electrodes and invokes the same force pressing on the skin under the single electrodes (Fig. 5 ). ...
... Air in system is pressing on pistons of all the electrodes and invokes the same force pressing on the skin under the single electrodes (Fig. 5 ). That is why the skin irritation, perspiration and temporary change of electrical contact quality for all the measuring electrodes are the constant [8], [9] . Specific experimental measurements with matic sensing probe were performed in our laboratory. ...
... Tab. 4: Measured voltage map of skin on LI1 ACU-point position in tabular form measured with driving pressure Measured and described structure of skin surface voltage and impedance distribution obtained by the advanced pneumatic electrode matrix probe (controlled by mapping measuring device) [9] offers a relatively precious, rich and compact look on the skin surface, its structure and the position, the size and the shape of certain acupuncture points. Obtained density of ...
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Our paper deals with the method of the voltage-impedance map measurement process as a method useful for the electric mapping of human skin. The area of research extends from the basic research to its practical application in acupuncture skin mapping and acupuncture point localization and visualization. The problem of sufficient skin coverage and electrical contact with measuring electrodes is solved by the conventional mechanical telescopic electrodes and by the pneumatic matrix electrode probe. A 2D or 3D voltage-impedance map of skin is an output of the measuring, interpretation and evaluation process. New pneumatic construction of measuring probe was implemented to achieve a better coverage of specified skin area and get a reduced force range of the touching electrodes allowing the steady contact of the skin-electrode. A skin contact is related to the driving pressure of touching electrodes. Our paper offers experimentally measured results, voltage maps of skin on specific areas, selected measured and described acupuncture points and their applications in electro-acupuncture.
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Our contribution deals with the human skin voltage chart measurement. We have concentrated our effort on finding and following the measurement of active points on different parts of the skin's surface, to acknowledge their existence and position through a measuring process. The human skin has a certain impedance or resistance - it can be easily described and simulated using a substitute electric circuit. But the skin also contains parts with measurably lower impedance and different electric properties - we can show them clearly by measurement of voltage chart.
Article
Full-text available
Our contribution deals with the human skin voltage chart measurement. The human skin has a certain impedance or resistance - it can be relatively easily described and simulated using a substitute electric circuit. But the skin also contains parts with measurably lower impedance and different electric properties - we can show them clearly by measurement of voltage chart. We have concentrated our effort on finding and following measurements of active points on certain part of the skin’s surface, to acknowledge their existence and positions through a measuring process. The parameters of the measured voltage chart are influenced by the amplitude, frequency, the shape of the measuring electric signal and the parameters of skin-electrode connection changing in time. We focused our research effort in this paper to measure the influence of the time of external stimulation, irritation and a contact press on skin surface together with the skin fatigue and perspiration effects. © 2013, Czech Medical Association J.E. Purkyne. All rights reserved.
Article
Full-text available
Our contribution focuses on the advanced method of the voltage-impedance map measurement involving a measuring probe optimization for the human skin voltage chart measurement. The conventional telescopic electrodes show significant disadvantages while placing them on non-plane surfaces. Depending on the covered shape the electrodes do not have sufficient contact to the skin in one case. In the other case the closest tips are pressed almost completely in, causing a significant higher force than the medium force does. To achieve a better coverage of any skin area and get a reduced force range of the 64 test tips a pneumatic kind of measuring probe - head has been implemented.
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Our contribution deals with the human skin voltage chart measurement. The human skin has a certain impedance or resistance - it can be easily described and simulated using a substitute electric circuit. But the skin also contains parts with measurably lower impedance and different electric properties - it is possible to show them clearly by measurement of voltage chart. A measurement of active points was performed on certain part of the skin's surface. The parameters of the measured voltage chart are influenced by the amplitude, frequency, the shape of the driving electric signal and the skin conditions. Our research effort was focused to consider and to measure the influence of measuring device construction, used measuring probe and AD convertor.
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Our contribution deals with the human skin voltage chart measurement. The human skin has a certain impedance or resistance - it can be easily described and simulated using a substitute electric circuit. But the skin also contains parts with measurably lower impedance and different electric properties - we can show them clearly by measurement of voltage chart. We measured active points on certain part of the skin's surface. The parameters of the measured voltage chart are influenced by the amplitude, frequency and the shape of the driving electric signal. We focused our research effort in this paper to measure the amplitude of the driving electric signal influence.
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Electroencephalographic measurements are commonly used in medical and research areas. This review article presents an introduction into EEG measurement. Its purpose is to help with orientation in EEG field and with building basic knowledge for performing EEG recordings. The article is divided into two parts. In the first part, background of the subject, a brief historical overview, and some EEG related research areas are given. The second part explains EEG recording.
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Implementation of a therapeutic wireless system on three different platforms, namely, Windows, Mac OS, and iPhone OS is considered in order to meet the needs of physicians and patients. The study shows multiple approaches needed to realize cross-platform implementation of user interface, the respective possibilities and restrictions are figured out. In the given case, a comfortable handling and adjustment of a wireless auricular stimulation system is realized, which electrically stimulates auricular nerve endings for pain relief.
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This paper deals with problematic of Electromagnetic Compatibility of Implantable Pacemaker. The ambient electromagnetic field can negatively influence the pacemaker functionality and also the wireless communication between its programmer and device. Electromagnetic compatibility parameters are tested by direct induction of interference signal to the inputs of cardiac pacemaker according to technical specification. The experimental tests were also made by generating of interference radio frequency signals to disturb the wireless telemetry communication.
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Applied biotelemetry is of growing importance in today's world. Specificity of biotelemetric data put special requirements on real biotelemetric system. This article describes some of conclusions acquired in development of real biotelemetric system using off the shelf embedded hardware technology, namely ARM microcontrollers, FRAM memory and dedicated ZigBee chipsets. Described biotelemetric system is partitioned into logical parts that communicate using custom data protocols. Devices participating in biotelemetric system use ZigBee and Ethernet networks as underlying structure for data communication.