A group of doctors has developed an electronic medical device that they claim will allow people to check their health through self-diagnosis, using traditional acupuncture points.
The new device, called the Biodoctor, will feature in the 34th International Exhibition of Inventions, New Techniques and Products, to be held in Geneva's Palexpo from April 5 through April 9.
The man behind the Biodoctor is Professor Weng Ching-sung (翁清松) of the Chung Yuan Christian University's Department of Biomedical Engineering.
He is also the director of the university's Chinese Medical Engineering Center.
Weng spent more than five years developing the device.
He claims to have taken the best aspects of traditional Chinese acupuncture and medical theories and combined them with Western medical statistical analysis. The result, he said, is a medical diagnostic tool that can be easily used in the home.
When the device is connected to a computer, the screen shows a picture of the user's palm. An electronic pen-shaped device is then used to touch specific acupuncture points on the palm.
The device emits a small electric current that stimulates the nerves at these points, and the response is recorded and sent via the Internet to a central database.
The computer then shows results, letting a user know if they should seek medical attention.
Weng emphasized that the technology was merely assistive, and only gives a user a general idea of their health -- it is not intended to replace a visit to the doctor.
The Department of Health is reviewing the application for a license for the invention.
In traditional Chinese medical theory, the body is made up of a number of pathways associated with various internal organs through which vital energy flows.
The pathways end in points on the hand, feet and ears.
The palm of the has have an especially high concentration of points associated with specific illnesses, and by stimulating these points it's possible to evaluate the vitality of the body's organs, according to traditional theory.
Weng said that 50 clinical trials have been conducted in Taiwan to test the accuracy of the equipment, and it was found to give a correct diagnosis in between 60 and 70 percent of cases.
He said that, "as far as home diagnostic equipment is concerned, this accuracy rate is really quite good, and of course we will look at ways to improve it in the future."
The response from other doctors has been positive, although they stressed that any diagnosis the equipment gave should be used for reference only.
The Biodoctor could be available as soon as the end of the month, and is expected to retail at NT$8,000 to NT$9,000.
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