Multichannel System for Measuring Skin Impedance at Acupuncture Points

描述(由申请者提供)：在这一阶段，Miridia Technology Inc.将与美国国立自然医学院的针灸研究人员合作，设计、开发和测试8通道阻抗测量系统的硬件、固件和软件。原型系统将能够在几个小时内同时测量多个穴位(AP)和非针灸部位的皮肤阻抗。我们的长期目标是评估针灸的电生理机制/S，并验证AP和针灸经络电连接的假设。为了进行相关的实验，需要一个高质量的系统，能够在延长的时间段内可靠地测量多个部位的皮肤阻抗。这种系统在商业上是买不到的。在过去的一年里，我们的团队设计并建造了一套单通道阻抗交流测量系统，该系统可以可靠地采集一小时以上的皮肤阻抗数据，计算皮肤阻抗，并存储数据。该项目的具体目标是：1)设计和开发自动化8通道模块原型的硬件、固件和软件，该原型将在8个解剖部位连续测量皮肤电阻和电容，最长可达4小时；2)确定使用8通道系统在30名健康受试者的4个AP和4个非AP部位测量皮肤电阻和电容的可靠性；3)以8通道原型为基础，表征扩展系统的可行性和市场可行性。在随后的第二阶段STTR中，将开发一种能够在32个地点记录24小时皮肤阻抗测量的32通道非卧床系统。Miridia技术公司打算销售基于这一原型的两种商用版本的设备。其中一个将作为针灸医生和其他从业者的临床工具。第二个版本将有一个较小的商业市场，将是为临床研究人员设计的研究质量仪器。一种商用的多通道系统可以同时可靠地记录多个穴位的皮肤阻抗，将作为全球补充和替代医学(CAM)从业者的诊断工具，特别是针灸医生和顺势疗法。该项目将生产更复杂的研究仪器，对于探索针灸机制的电磁假说的研究人员以及参与针灸临床试验的研究人员来说，将是无价的。一种商用的多通道系统可以同时可靠地记录多个穴位的皮肤阻抗，将作为全球补充和替代医学(CAM)从业者的诊断工具，特别是针灸医生和顺势疗法。该项目将生产更复杂的研究仪器，对于探索针灸机制的电磁假说的研究人员以及参与针灸临床试验的研究人员来说，将是无价的。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In this Phase 1 STTR, Miridia Technology Inc. will collaborate with acupuncture researchers at the National College of Natural Medicine to design, develop and test the hardware, firmware and software for an 8-channel impedance measuring system. The prototype system will be capable of simultaneously measure skin impedance at multiple acupuncture points (APs) and non-acupuncture sites, over several hours. Our long term goal is to evaluate the electrophysiological mechanism/s of acupuncture and test the hypothesis that APs and acupuncture meridians are electrically connected. In order to conduct relevant experiments, a high-quality system that can reliably measure skin impedance at multiple sites over extended time periods is needed. Such a system is not commercially available. Over the past year our team has designed and built a single channel impedance AC measuring system that can reliably acquire skin impedance data over one hour, calculate skin impedance, and store the data. The specific aims of this project are to: 1) design and develop the hardware, firmware and software for an automated 8-channel module prototype that will continuously measure skin resistance and capacitance simultaneously, at 8 anatomical sites, for up to 4 hours; 2) to determine the reliability of skin resistance and capacitance measurements using the 8-channel system at 4 AP's and 4 non AP sites in 30 healthy participants and; 3) to characterize the feasibility and market viability of an expanded system, based on the 8-channel prototype. In a subsequent Phase II STTR an ambulatory 32-channel system capable of recording skin impedance measurements over a 24 hour period at 32 sites will be developed. Miridia Technology intends to market two commercial versions of equipment based on this prototype. One will serve as a clinical tool for acupuncturists and other practitioners. The second version, which will have a smaller commercial market will be a research-quality instrument designed for clinical investigators. A commercially available multichannel system that can reliably record skin impedance at numerous acupuncture points simultaneously, will serve as a diagnostic tool for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners worldwide, particularly for acupuncturists and homeopaths. The more sophisticated research instrument to be produced in this project will be invaluable to investigators who are exploring the electromagnetic hypotheses of acupuncture's mechanism as well as those involved in clinical trials of acupuncture. A commercially available multichannel system that can reliably record skin impedance at numerous acupuncture points simultaneously, will serve as a diagnostic tool for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) practitioners worldwide, particularly for acupuncturists and homeopaths. The more sophisticated research instrument to be produced in this project will be invaluable to investigators who are exploring the electromagnetic hypotheses of acupuncture's mechanism as well as those involved in clinical trials of acupuncture.