Automated Connective Tissue Torque Sensor

描述(由申请人提供)：该项目的长期目标是确定针头扭矩测量对于诊断和监测与手动疗法治疗的慢性肌肉骨骼疾病相关的结缔组织病理的有用性。该项目将结合我们以前的研究和技术转让计划中开发的技术，这些技术1)显示超细针刺针旋转导致结缔组织缠绕，可通过增加针头扭矩测量；2)表明在与慢性肌肉骨骼疼痛相关的结缔组织纤维化或炎症存在时，针头扭矩可能是异常的。因此，针扭矩有可能成为一种有用的体内微创工具，用于调查、诊断和客观记录手动治疗后组织病理学的改善。我们的具体目标是：1)设计和制造一种新的自动化仪器，能够在计算机控制下旋转针灸针头，同时测量针头扭矩(Auto-NTS)；2)了解与人体扭矩测量相关的变异性来源，而不会导致肌肉骨骼疼痛。我们将获得不同来源的不同来源的测量扭矩[受试者之间、受试者内部(跨位置)和位置内(左右两侧)]的估计，并与30名没有肌肉骨骼疼痛的人类受试者的手动NTS进行比较。与手动NTS不同，自动NTS将提供可控的针旋转数量和速度。我们还将检查测量的扭矩与受试者特征之间的关系，如年龄、性别、体重指数和皮下组织厚度。了解与无肌肉骨骼疼痛的人体针扭矩测量相关的变异性来源是开发一种新的研究和诊断工具的重要第一步，该工具将通过以下方式潜在地增强手动疗法的实践：1)更好地理解治疗机制，2)优化治疗方案，3)临床治疗反应的客观记录。慢性肌肉骨骼疼痛是相当大的残疾、旷工和医疗费用的来源。将按摩和脊椎手法等手动疗法纳入我们的保健系统的一个主要障碍是缺乏客观衡量治疗效果的方法。将在该项目中开发的新的针式扭矩传感器技术将有可能测量与肌肉骨骼疼痛相关的结缔组织异常。这将有助于1)通过改进的研究确定人工治疗的有效性，2)加强对临床实践中患者进展的客观监测，3)支持所需的证据，以证明保险报销是合理的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The long term goal of this project is to establish the usefulness of needle torque measurements for the diagnosis and monitoring of connective tissue pathology associated with chronic musculoskeletal conditions treated by manual therapies. This project will combine technologies developed in our previous research and technological transfer programs which 1) showed that rotation of ultra-fine acupuncture needles causes winding of connective tissue measurable as increased needle torque and 2) suggest that needle torque may be abnormal in the presence of connective tissue fibrosis or inflammation associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain. Thus, needle torque has the potential of becoming a useful in vivo minimally invasive tool to investigate, diagnose and objectively document improvement in tissue pathology in response to manual therapies. Our Specific Aims are: 1) Design and fabricate a new automated instrument capable of rotating acupuncture needles under computer control, while simultaneously measure needle torque (Auto-NTS); 2) Understand the sources of variability associated with torque measurements in humans without musculoskeletal pain. We will obtain estimates of different sources of variability in measured torque [inter- subjects, intra-subject (across location) and intra-location (across right and left sides)] obtained with the Auto NTS, compared with that of the Manual NTS in 30 human subject without musculoskeletal pain. In contrast to the Manual NTS, the Auto-NTS will deliver a controllable amount and speed of needle rotation. We also will examine the relationship between measured torque and subject characteristics such as age, sex, body mass index and subcutaneous tissue thickness. Understanding the sources of variability associated with needle torque measurements in humans without musculoskeletal pain is an important first step to developing a new research and diagnostic tool that will potentially enhance the practice of manual therapies via: 1) improved understanding of therapeutic mechanisms, 2) optimization of treatment protocols and 3) objective documentation of clinical responses to treatments. Chronic musculoskeletal pain is the source of considerable disability, work absenteeism and health care costs. A major obstacle to the incorporation of manual therapies such as massage and spinal manipulation into our health care system is the lack of methods to objectively measure the effect of treatments. The new Needle Torque Sensor technology that will be developed in this project will potentially allow measurement of connective tissue abnormalities associated with musculoskeletal pain. This will 1) help establish the efficacy of manual treatments through improved research, 2) enhance the objective monitoring of patient progress in clinical practice and 3) bolster the evidence needed to justify insurance reimbursement.