UTILIZATION OF GAS DISCHARGE IN ALTERNATING CURRENT FOR THE DETECTION AND STIMULATION OF BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE POINTS

– Acupuncture belongs to the non-pharmacological methods of Eastern medicine and it is a form of alternative reflexotherapy. In modern medicine, aside from needle therapy, other forms of acupuncture have gained recognition, such as electroacupuncture, laser and light acupuncture, magnetopuncture, thermopuncture, and high-frequency puncture. The effectiveness of treatment using these methods significantly depends on accurately locating the biological active points (BAP) and selecting the influencing factor. Therefore the research aim is to simplify the search for BAP on the human skin and transition to the mode of electroacupuncture stimulation. The research subject involves the processes of the gas discharge occurrence and luminescence upon contact with a sensor in the area of a biological active point. The research topic revolves around applying the properties of gas discharge under alternating current for electroacupuncture means. Research findings: A review of common acupuncture methods has been conducted, and the electro-physical peculiarities of BAP have been noted. To localize the positions of BAP, the luminescence of a gas discharge sensor in an alternating electric current circuit is proposed. The sensor enters an identification state when the search electrode makes contact with areas of the skin possessing lowered electrical resistance, a characteristic of these points. Equivalent circuitries of gas discharge currents have been constructed. At low frequencies, the use of an indifferent electrode is proposed, allowing the discharge current to flow to the search electrode. The equivalent circuit for high-frequency currents demonstrates the possibility of gas discharge occurrence in the sensor through displacement currents. For operation at high frequencies, the sensor can be designed in the form of a cylindrical glass bulb with a conical search tip, containing an internal metallic electrode and filled with inert gas. Two stimulation modes for BAP using gas discharge currents have been envisaged – low-frequency and high-frequency. In the former, the low-frequency range of 1…150 Hz is used, while the latter involves amplitude modulation of high frequencies (0.01…1 MHz) with a low-frequency signal. Effective stimulation current values can go up to 1 mA. An additional influencing factor in the BAP area is the broad-spectrum electromagnetic radiation of the gas discharge plasma in the visible, infrared, and radio frequency ranges. Estimated power values and spectral density of emission in the 60…70 GHz range correspond to the concept of information-wave therapy. The device structure was developed,which utilizes a gas discharge on alternating current for locating and stimulating biological active points. The main components of the device are an alternating voltage generator and a manipulator. The generator enables operation in both low-frequency and high-frequency modes, with adjustable amplitude, frequency, modulation depth, and harmonic oscillations output voltage. The key component of the manipulator is the gas discharge sensor, which simultaneously functions as an indicator of BAP location and performs stimulation. Other elements of the manipulator ensure the safety and usability of the device. Conclusion : The conducted research confirms the feasibility of constructing a straightforward device for locating, identifying, and therapeutically influencing biological active points on the patient's skin surface. A specialized gas discharge sensor serves as a logical element, indicator, and influencing factor. The application of the proposed technical solution expands the potential of acupuncture treatment methods, though it requires appropriate medical validation.