Automated Connective Tissue Torque Sensor

描述（由申请人提供）：该项目的长期目标是建立针扭矩测量在诊断和监测与手工治疗的慢性肌肉骨骼疾病相关的结缔组织病理方面的有效性。该项目将结合我们之前的研究和技术转移项目中开发的技术，1)表明超细针灸针的旋转会导致结缔组织缠绕，随着针转矩的增加而测量，2)表明在结缔组织纤维化或慢性肌肉骨骼疼痛相关炎症存在时，针转矩可能是异常的。因此，针转矩有可能成为一种有用的体内微创工具，用于调查、诊断和客观记录手工治疗后组织病理的改善。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，同时测量针的扭矩（Auto-NTS）；2)了解与没有肌肉骨骼疼痛的人的扭矩测量相关的变异性的来源。我们将在30名没有肌肉骨骼疼痛的受试者中，与手动NTS进行比较，通过自动NTS获得测量扭矩的不同变异性来源[受试者之间，受试者内部（跨位置）和位置内（跨左右两侧）]的估计。与手动NTS相比，自动NTS将提供可控制的针旋转量和速度。我们还将研究测量扭矩与受试者特征（如年龄、性别、体重指数和皮下组织厚度）之间的关系。了解与没有肌肉骨骼疼痛的人的针扭矩测量相关的变变性的来源是开发新的研究和诊断工具的重要的第一步，这将有可能通过以下途径加强手工治疗的实践：1)提高对治疗机制的理解，2)优化治疗方案，3)客观记录临床治疗反应。慢性肌肉骨骼疼痛是造成大量残疾、旷工和医疗费用的根源。将按摩和脊柱推拿等手工疗法纳入我们的医疗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。在这个项目中开发的新的针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)通过改进研究来确立人工治疗的有效性，2)加强临床实践中对患者进展的客观监测，3)支持证明保险报销合理性所需的证据。

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.