Development a hardness multipoint measurement system for understanding hardness distribution on biological body surfaces

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25460916
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: General internal medicine(including psychosomatic medicine)
• Research Institution: Tokoha University
• Principal Investigator: ARIMA Yoshitaka 常葉大学, 健康プロデュース学部, 教授 (80309129)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 硬さ分布 / 硬さ計 / 生体表面の硬さ / 硬さ計の開発

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hardness distribution of body surfaces, which are assessed by the acupuncturist during diagnosis and treatment in the clinic. Using several devices and spring strengths, we measured the hardness of six different gel sheets of acupuncture practice pads, as well as the hardness distribution of the induration-embedded and breast cancer palpation models. We determined that the most suitable combination for a multipoint hardness measurement system was the PEK-1 with a spring strength of 4.90 N in the main axis probe. In biological applications, we confirmed that changes in the hardness distribution and hardness of tendons with a width of about 3 mm can be measured using the forearm when different fingers move. In clinical applications, we observed that the contractile hardness and the hardness difference between contraction and relaxation of diseased muscles were asymmetrical in patients suspected of lateral epicondylitis.

Free Research Field

鍼灸学