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.
PHOTO: GEORGE TSORNG, TAIPEI TIMES
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.
SLOW-MOVING STORM: The typhoon has started moving north, but at a very slow pace, adding uncertainty to the extent of its impact on the nation Work and classes have been canceled across the nation today because of Typhoon Krathon, with residents in the south advised to brace for winds that could reach force 17 on the Beaufort scale as the Central Weather Administration (CWA) forecast that the storm would make landfall there. Force 17 wind with speeds of 56.1 to 61.2 meters per second, the highest number on the Beaufort scale, rarely occur and could cause serious damage. Krathon could be the second typhoon to land in southwestern Taiwan, following typhoon Elsie in 1996, CWA records showed. As of 8pm yesterday, the typhoon’s center was 180km
STILL DANGEROUS: The typhoon was expected to weaken, but it would still maintain its structure, with high winds and heavy rain, the weather agency said One person had died amid heavy winds and rain brought by Typhoon Krathon, while 70 were injured and two people were unaccounted for, the Central Emergency Operation Center said yesterday, while work and classes have been canceled nationwide today for the second day. The Hualien County Fire Department said that a man in his 70s had fallen to his death at about 11am on Tuesday while trimming a tree at his home in Shoufeng Township (壽豐). Meanwhile, the Yunlin County Fire Department received a report of a person falling into the sea at about 1pm on Tuesday, but had to suspend search-and-rescue
RULES BROKEN: The MAC warned Chinese not to say anything that would be harmful to the autonomous status of Taiwan or undermine its sovereignty A Chinese couple accused of disrupting a pro-democracy event in Taipei organized by Hong Kong residents has been deported, the National Immigration Agency said in a statement yesterday afternoon. A Chinese man, surnamed Yao (姚), and his wife were escorted by immigration officials to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, where they boarded a flight to China before noon yesterday, the agency said. The agency said that it had annulled the couple’s entry permits, citing alleged contraventions of the Regulations Governing the Approval of Entry of People of the Mainland Area into the Taiwan Area (大陸地區人民進入台灣地區許可辦法). The couple applied to visit a family member in
CELEBRATION: The PRC turned 75 on Oct. 1, but the Republic of China is older. The PRC could never be the homeland of the people of the ROC, Lai said The People’s Republic of China (PRC) could not be the “motherland” of the people of the Republic of China (ROC), President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks in a speech at a Double Ten National Day gala in Taipei, which is part of National Day celebrations that are to culminate in a fireworks display in Yunlin County on Thursday night next week. Lai wished the country a happy birthday and called on attendees to enjoy the performances and activities while keeping in mind that the ROC is a sovereign and independent nation. He appealed for everyone to always love their
RSS