Abstract:
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method of weight loss involving acupuncture includes the steps of placing a plurality of EBS acupuncture needles at a plurality of predetermined locations of the body corresponding to acupuncture meridians; and energizing each of the plurality of EBS acupuncture needles to treat the body at the location of the EBS needle insertion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to surgical methods and, more particularly, to electrosurgical methods for energy-based stimulation of acupuncture meridians for weight loss and the like. 
         [0003]    2. Background of Related Art 
         [0004]    In the United States, excess weight or obesity is a problem for a majority of the population. A 1999 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey concluded that 61% of American adults are overweight or obese and the percentage of people becoming overweight continues to rise. People who are overweight or obese are generally more prone to ailments such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. 
         [0005]    In order to lose weight and combat the conditions associated with excess weight, many individuals partake in numerous methods and/or procedures to lose weight. For example, individuals attempt diets, undertake exercise routines or regimens, purchase and use weight reduction equipment or weight reduction drugs, and the like. 
         [0006]    Acupuncture has long been used to treat anxiety, back pain, high blood pressure, and osteoarthritis. People are now turning to acupuncture as a treatment for weight loss. Acupuncture is the ancient Chinese art of inserting fine needles under the surface of the skin into specific locations on the body to treat ailments and the like. 
         [0007]    Acupuncturists have charted points along numerous paths, called meridians, on the body. Many of the meridians are considered to affect various body organs and body functions and, in turn, are important in treating various ailments. Typically, thin, solid needles are placed in one or several locations on the body called acupuncture points. The number of needles and the specific location of needle placement depends on the condition to be treated and on the severity of the condition. Acupuncturists treat these conditions by percutaneously inserting or placing needles into the various points associated with that condition. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present disclosure relates to electrosurgical methods for energy-based stimulation of acupuncture meridians for weight loss and the like. 
         [0009]    According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a method for performing a treatment on a human body includes the steps of placing a plurality of energy-based stimulation needles at a plurality of predetermined acupuncture meridian locations of the body; and energizing each of the plurality of energy-based stimulation needles to treat the body. 
         [0010]    According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of weight loss involving acupuncture includes the steps of placing a plurality of energy-based stimulation acupuncture needles at a plurality of predetermined locations of the body corresponding to acupuncture meridians; and energizing each of the plurality of energy-based stimulation acupuncture needles to treat the body at the location of the energy-based stimulation needle insertion. 
         [0011]    Either of the methods may include the step of connecting each energy-based stimulation needle to an energy-based generator. Either of the methods may further include the step of monitoring a temperature of the body at each location of energy-based stimulation needle placement. 
         [0012]    Each of the methods may further include the step of energizing each energy-based stimulation needle with an RF waveform. The RF waveform may have a frequency above about 50 kHz. Each energy-based stimulation needle may be energized with one of a continuous wave and a pulsed wave. 
         [0013]    Each of the methods may further include the step of maintaining a temperature of the body at each location of energy-based stimulation needle placement below a threshold level. 
         [0014]    Either of the methods may further include the step of maintaining a temperature of the body at each location of energy-based stimulation needle placement below 42° C. 
         [0015]    In either method, the energy-based stimulation needles may be placed at “stomach  31 ” (ST 31 ), “stomach  34 ” (ST 34 ), “stomach  43  (ST 43 ), and/or “gall bladder  41 ” (GB 41 ). 
         [0016]    In either method, the energy-based stimulation needles may be placed at “spleen  9 ” (SP 9 ), “spleen  8 ” (SP 8 )  16  and/or “spleen  6 ” (SP 6 ). 
         [0017]    Either method may further include placing the energy-based stimulation needles at “conception vessel  23 ” (CV 23 ), “large intestine  11 ” (LI 11 ), “conception vessel  12 ” (CV 12 ), “stomach  36 ” (ST 36 ), “spleen  6 ” (SP 6 ), “spleen  10 ” (SP 10 ) and “large intestine  3 ” (LI 3 ), and/or “stomach  40 ” (ST 40 ), “kidney  3 ” (KD 3 ), “kidney  10 ” (KD 10 ), “lung  9 ” (LU 9 ) and “spleen  9 ” (SP 9 ). 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Further features and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent from the following specification and from the drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an energy-based stimulation system for performing an energy-based stimulation procedure of the present disclosure; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic front view of a human torso showing locations for needle placement, along a conception vessel meridian, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a schematic front view of a human torso showing locations for needle placement, along a stomach meridian, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a schematic front view of a human torso showing locations for needle placement, along a large intestine meridian, according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a ventral side of a human right forearm and hand showing locations for needle placement, along a pericardium meridian, according to yet another method of the present disclosure; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a ventral side of a human right forearm and hand showing locations for needle placement, along a lung meridian, according to a method of the present disclosure; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is a schematic front illustration of a human right leg showing locations for needle placement, along the stomach meridian, according to another method of the present disclosure; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a schematic outside illustration of a human right leg showing locations for needle placement, along a gall bladder meridian, according to still another method of the present disclosure; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a schematic inside illustration of a human right leg showing locations for needle placement, along a spleen meridian, according to still another method of the present disclosure; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a further schematic inside illustration of a human right leg showing locations for needle placement, along a kidney meridian, according to a further method of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0029]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , an energy-based stimulation (EBS) system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally designated as  100 . EBS system  100  includes an EBS generator  110 , at least one EBS acupuncture needle  120   a - 120   c  connectable to generator  110 , and an electrical conduit  130  interconnecting each EBS needle  120   a - 120   c  to EBS generator  110 . 
         [0030]    EBS generator  110  is operable to generate and deliver any suitable therapeutic EBS energy to each EBS needle  120   a - 120   c  in order to deliver this energy to a target tissue, which may produce weight loss effects. In one embodiment, the therapeutic EBS energy may include a stimulating energy waveform or other suitable RF energy waveform having frequencies above approximately 50 kHz. In some embodiments, the stimulating energy waveform may include continuous or pulsed wave applications at any duty cycle. For example, the pulsed wave application may produce bursts of energy at a rate of approximately 2 bursts per second (i.e., 2 Hz of 20 msec duration each). Also, the tip of each EBS needle  120   a - 120   c  is to be maintained at a temperature level that is less than or equal to 42° C. for a period of 120 sec. 
         [0031]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , each EBS needle  120   a - 120   c  includes a respective needle probe  122   a - 122   c  extending or extendable from a respective handle or hub  126   a - 126   c . Each needle probe  122   a - 122   c  may be solid or hollow and may be fabricated from a suitable electrically conductive, rigid material, such as stainless steel. If needle probe  122   a - 122   c  is hollow, a cooling fluid may be circulated through a hollow cavity thereof in any suitable manner. An exterior surface of each needle probe  122   a - 122   c  may be coated with a suitable friction reducing material, such as TEFLON (PTFE) to aid in the percutaneous insertion of each needle probe  122   a - 122   c  into the body. Additionally, each needle probe  122   a - 122   c  may be coated with a suitable electrically insulative material along substantially an entire length thereof. A distal tip  124   a - 124   c  of each needle probe  122   a - 122   c  may be exposed for transmission of energy therefrom. Each distal tip  124   a - 124   c  may be sharpened in order to facilitate percutaneous tissue penetration and precise energy application, or may have an extended surface exposure to provide a broader area of effect. 
         [0032]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , electrical conduit  130  may be connected to each needle probe  122   a - 122   c  via hubs  126   a - 126   c . Alternatively, an end of electrical conduit  130  may be selectively electrically connected to at least one needle probe  122   a - 122   c  either prior to or after insertion of needle probe  122   a - 122   c  into the body. A clip (e.g., an alligator clip or other suitable connector) may be used to connect the end of electrical conduit  130  to a proximal end of needle probe  122   a - 122   c.    
         [0033]    Each EBS needle  120   a - 120   c  may include a respective temperature sensor  128   a - 128   c  disposed at a respective distal tip  124   a - 124   c  thereof. Each temperature sensor  128   a - 128   c  is electrically connected to EBS generator  110 . Temperature sensors  128   a - 128   c  may form a component of a feedback control loop “C” capable of automatically adjusting an energy output of EBS generator  110 . The energy output of EBS generator  110  may be adjusted so that the temperature of the body tissue in the proximity of distal tips  124   a - 124   c  of EBS needles  120   a - 120   c  does not exceed a threshold level that may result in local tissue damage, for example, 42° C. 
         [0034]    In accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure, EBS system  100  may be used to treat various ailments, including and not limited to weight management and/or weight loss. In operation, at least one EBS needle  120   a - 120   c  is placed at a specific treatment location on the human body, which specific treatment location coincides with known acupuncture meridians, and stimulated with energy. 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, as seen in  FIGS. 2-10 , treatment may include placement of at least one EBS needle  120   a - 120   c  on an anterior side (i.e., near a front) of a wrist  30 , in the abdomen on one side of a medial line  31 , and on an inside edge of the foot  32 . A more precise location for the placement of EBS needles  120   a - 120   c  entails placing EBS needles  120   a - 120   c  at “pericardium  6 ” (PC 6 ) of  FIG. 5 , “stomach  25 ” (ST 25 ) of  FIG. 3 , and “spleen  4 ” (SP 4 ) of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0036]    Depending on the circumstances and the condition of the patient, EBS needles  120  may be placed at several additional locations on the body for treatment of various ailments. For example, in another embodiment or according to a further method of the present disclosure, as seen in  FIG. 7 , EBS needles  120  may be placed at two additional locations on an anterior surface of the thigh  33 , a first location, corresponding to “stomach  31 ” (ST 31 ), located at the top of thigh  33  and a second location, corresponding to “stomach  34 ” (ST 34 ), located in the thigh  33  just above the knee. 
         [0037]    It is further envisioned, in certain situations, as seen in  FIG. 7 , for EBS needles  120  to be placed on an upper surface of the foot  32 . For example, EBS needles  120  may be placed on a right-half side  14  of the upper surface of the foot  32  and/or on a left-hand side  13  of the upper surface of the foot  32 . 
         [0038]    In order to treat a patient for weight loss, EBS needles  120  may be placed at other locations in or on the body including, and not limited to, “stomach  31 ” (ST 31 ), “stomach  34 ” (ST 34 ), “stomach  43  (ST 43 ), and “gall bladder  41 ” (GB 41 ) of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0039]    Additionally, in accordance with a further method of the present disclosure, as seen in  FIG. 9 , EBS needles  120  may be placed in or on an inside surface of a leg  34 , a first EBS needle near the knee, a second EBS needle near mid-calf and/or a third EBS needle near the ankle. In particular, EBS needles  120  may be placed at “spleen  9 ” (SP 9 ), at “spleen  8 ” (SP 8 ) and/or at “spleen  6 ” (SP 6 ). 
         [0040]    Other specific meridian locations that may be used for the insertion of an EBS needle  120 , for the reduction of weight, include and are not limited to, “conception vessel  23 ” (CV 23 ) for thyroid function as seen in  FIG. 2 ; “large intestine  11 ” (LI 11 ) for homeostasis as seen in  FIG. 4 ; “conception vessel  12 ” (CV 12 ) for stomach hyperactivity as seen in  FIG. 2 ; “stomach  36 ” (ST 36 ) for homeostasis as seen in  FIG. 7 ; “spleen  6 ” (SP 6 ) for hormone and fluid retention as seen in  FIG. 9 ; “spleen  10 ” (SP 10 ) as seen in  FIG. 9  and “large intestine  3 ” (LI 3 ) as seen in  FIG. 4  for smooth blood flow regulation; and/or “stomach  40 ” (ST 40 ) as seen in  FIG. 7 , “kidney  3 ” (KD 3 ) as seen in  FIG. 10 , “kidney  10 ” (KD 10 ) as seen in  FIG. 10 , “lung  9 ” (LU 9 ) as seen in  FIG. 6  and “spleen  9 ” (SP 9 ) as seen in  FIG. 9  for fluid removal. 
         [0041]    The locations in the back, for example, “3 cun” (e.g., “1 cun” equals approximately 1.3 inches or 3.3 cm) lateral to a midline of the back are very beneficial for psycho-emotional, obsessive compulsive disorders and anorexia. It is further understood that “ 3  cun” may equal the measurement across four fingers of a hand, from pinky finger to index finger, when the fingers are held together. 
         [0042]    While  FIGS. 2-10  illustrate locations for placement of EBS needles  120  on a right-hand side of the body, those skilled in the art realize that these needle placement locations are also mirrored on a left-hand side of the body. Accordingly, when a location for placement of an EBS needle  120  is disclosed, said location may be applied to either the right-hand side of the body or the left-hand side of the body. 
         [0043]    Following placement of EBS needles  120  electrosurgical energy is transmitted from EBS generator  110  to each EBS needle  120 . For example, each EBS needle  120  may be stimulated with electrical or electrosurgical current and/or waveforms including frequencies above about  50 kHz and may include either continuous wave or pulsed wave application at any duty cycle. 
         [0044]    During application of EBS energy to EBS needles  120 , sensors  128  may monitor the temperature at each insertion site and provide feedback, via control loop “C”, to EBS generator  110 . EBS generator  110  may be configured to adjust the parameters of the EBS energy transmitted to EBS needles  120  in response to the feedback from sensors  128 . EBS generator  110  may adjust the parameters of the EBS energy being transmitted so that the temperature of the tissue does not exceed a threshold which may result in local tissue damage. The threshold temperature for the tissue may not exceed about 42° C. 
         [0045]    The foregoing description is merely a disclosure of particular embodiments and is no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Other possible modifications are apparent to those skilled in the art and all modifications are to be defined by the following claims.