Technology

Description/Therapy

Acupuncture

Inserting needles at particular points in the body to alleviate pain or cure illness by balancing the body's energy. Types of acupuncture include manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture (EA) and transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS)

The generation of electricity by living organisms. A nerve impluse is an example.

Bioelectrography

See Gas Discharge Visualization.

Biophotonics

The interaction between biological items and photons

Bronchoscopy

Endocbrochial ultrasound, electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy. Summary of the British Thoracic Society Guidelines for advanced diagnostic and therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy in adults.

Colorpuncture (laser therapy). Also called Laserneedle Acupuncture and laserpuncture

Light is focused on acupuncture and other points on the skin to stimulate healing. In general the use of lasers for healing is referred to as Low-Intensity Laser Therapy (LILT) or Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT). For more information see Healing with Electromedicine and Sound Therapies

Computerized Axial Tomography (CAT/CT) , X-ray computed tomography (CT)

Combines multiple x-rays via computers to create 3-dimensional images of parts of the body. One specific implementation is Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT). Chinese researchers have used SPECT technology to show the beneficial effects of eletroacupunture for treating childrens autism. Although CT scans are the most accurate diagnostic technology for certain conditions, they can also expose patients to the risk of excessive or unnecessary radiation. Identification of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in lung cancer screening computed tomographic scans.

Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG)

Measures the electrical current of the heart.

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

Electroencephalography measures the electrical current of the brain. Intracranial EEG (iEEG) is a particular application of this technology where the electrodes are actually inserted into the brain. It is being used, for example, with epilepsy patients. Low Resolution Brain Electromagnetic Tomography (LORETA) can be performed on the EEG recordings to compute the intracortical distribution of neuroelectrical activity.

Electrohydraulic lithotripsy (EHL)

A flexible probe breaks up small kidney stones with shock waves generated by electricity.

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy (ENB)

Electromagnetic Navigation Bronchoscopy Performed by Thoracic Surgeons: One Center's Early Success

Electromyography (EMG)

Measures electrical activity generated by muscles.

Electron microscopy

Microscopy using an electron beam instead of light to form an image.

Electrophysiology

The study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) or technology (ESWT)

Highly focused sound (shock) waves projected from outside the body pulverize kidney stones anywhere in the urinary system. Also see Ultrasound.

EWST has proven effective for tendon and ligament injuries, wound healing, osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, removal of kidney stones, treating plantar faschitis and rotator cuff injuries, and more. PulseVet has been very successful on animals, and it has been successful with humans too.

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI)

Diagnostic technique for obtaining images of soft body tissue via magnetic fields and the radio waves generated by them. fcMRI carries MRI a step further by monitoring continuous treatment activity instead of brief and intermittent activity. fcMRI was used to characterize the difference in connectivity in key brain regions due to genuine vs. sham acupuncture: Imaging the functional connectivity of the Periaqueductal Gray during genuine and sham electroacupuncture treatment . See also MRI.

Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV)

Bioelectrography is a new and controversial field within physics whose purpose is to study the electric emissions of objects and living organisms. The method used in bioelectrography is called the Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV) technique. It is a more advanced technique than Kirlian photography and has been accepted as a medical technology by the Russian Ministry of Health. It creates a computer model inreal time of the energies measured by GDV, and is thought to be able to perceive 'imbalances' in energy fields which can then be used as a tool for medical diagnosis.

Technically, GDV is capturing the image of gas discharge during exposure to EMF. The cells exposed to the EMF produce a burst of electron-ion emission and optical radiation light quanta in the visual and ultraviolet light regions of the EM spectrum. These particles and photons initiate electron-ion avalanches, which create the gas discharge along the dielectric surface. A spatial distribution of discharge channels is registered via glass plate by an optical system with a CCD TV camera, and then it is digitized. The avalanche effect amplification of the object response can only occur in ionized gas and does not work in a vacuum.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMRI), or magnetic resonance tomography (MRT) is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures. Wikipedia

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging ( fMRIs )maps brain activity while the subject is performing a particlar task.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) is a unique technique that can directly assess the concentration of various biochemical metabolites in body tissue. For example, see Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in depression.

fcMRI carries MRI a step further by monitoring continuous treatment activity instead of brief and intermittent activity. fcMRI was used to characterize the difference in connectivity in key brain regions due to genuine vs. sham acupuncture: Imaging the functional connectivity of the Periaqueductal Gray during genuine and sham electroacupuncture treatment .

Magnetoencephalography

The measurement of magnetic fields over the head  which are generated by electrical currents in the brain

Digital images of the human energy field. What are PIP Scans?

"PIP shows pulsating bands of color and changing variations in light quality emanating from living organisms.... In humans, these imaes tend to correspond to energy meridian pathways, defined by traditional Chinese medicine, and chakras, defined by Ayurvedic medicine.... PIP technology is able to pinpoint disturbed energy states before they become evident by standard diagnosis." Townsend Letter, 2009 Jan; (306): 37.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

A computerized imaging technique that utilizes a radioactive dye. This type of imaging may reveal tissue problems that are not visible on CT or MRI scans.

Proteomics (the study of proteins)

This technology is based upon mass spectrometry coupled with hyphenated separation techniques such as two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) and micro- or nano-scale multidimensional liquid chromatography. The technique of proteomics is one of the fastest developments with the farthest-reaching consequences in the high and new biotechnology in the world of today. It can be used to screen the target molecules of the action of traditional Chinese medicines, to identify the new effective components from traditional Chinese medicines, and to explore the mechanisms of the effects of traditional Chinese medicines.

Pulsed EM fields (PEMF)

Effective for treating slow-healing fractures.

Radiation Therapy/Radio Therapy

High-definition Multileaf Collimator Radiosurgery System: In January 2008, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation in Palo Alto, CA became the first health care organization in the world with a new high-definition multileaf collimator (HD 120 MLC), an ultra-fine device for radiosurgery that shapes each treatment beam to match the exact contour of a tumor or other target. This technology allows doctors to treat brain tumors and cancer in all parts of the body with unsurpassed accuracy – all with fewer side effects, greater patient comfort and improved outcomes.

Radiosurgery is a non-invasive medical procedure in which high-energy X-rays are delivered to a target area within the body from a machine outside the body. With the HD120 MLC, which is part of PAMF’s Novalis Tx® radiosurgery system from Varian Medical Systems and BrainLab, patients receive an ultra-precise dose of high-intensity radiation – accurate within fractions of a centimeter – while avoiding the pain and complications associated with conventional “open” surgery. Palo Alto Medical Foundation March 2008 e-HealthNews Volume 5 Issue 3. Also read Radiosurgery , Cancers Treated with Radiosurgery, and Benefits and Side Effects of Radiation Therapy.

A more general term for radiosurgery is Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA). Results show it to be extremely effective and can be used with advanced lung cancer where conventional surgery is not possible. Radio frequency ablation is a medical procedure where part of the electrical conduction system of the heart, tumor or other dysfunctional tissue is ablated using the heat generated from the high frequency alternating current. It essentially heats tumors and kills them. ( Radiofrequency ablation). (Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of symptomatic uterine fibroids.) (Radiofrequency ablation for treatment of renal tumors: technological principles and outcomes.)

Another example of radiation therapy is the use of External Beam Radiation and Brachytherapy for Mesothelioma. Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) also uses brachytherapy: Beating breast cancer - Targeted radiation shortens treatment, reduces side effects.

Radio telemetry enables monitoring of cardiovascular functions such as systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate. A more general term for this is biotelemetry.

A Radioelectric Asymmetric Conveyer REAC-CRM device applies radiofrequency fields to body parts: Radioelectric asymmetric stimulation of tissues as treatment for post-traumatic injury symptoms.

Superconducting Quantum Interface Device (SQUID)

Diagnostic device that can detect minute magnetic fields. SQUIDS map biomagnetic fields produced by physiological processes in the body. One example is recording the magnetic field of the heart (magnetocardiography). Since thinking causes electrical signals in the brain which in turn produce magnetic fields, it's possible to detect thoughts, even at a distance, using SQUIDS

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)

Stimulates the brain with magnetics fields

Ultrasound

Use of sound waves for diagnosis and treatment. Ultrasonography is nearly as accurate as CT scans, but does not cause radiation damage. Ultrasonic lithotripsy is the use of high frequency sound waves delivered through an electronic probe break up kidney stones.

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been found effective against cancer cell proliferation: Inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). It is also used in bone fracture healing: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the treatment of nonunions. Exogen™ is an example of an FDA-approved device for this purpose.

High intensity ultrasound successfully used to seal punctured lungs. Star Trek Medical Device Uses Ultrasound To Seal Punctured Lungs. Also see ESWT - Extracorporeal Shock Wave Technology.

Ultrasound stethoscope uses Doppler effect to screen out outside noise and amplify internal body sounds: Doppler-based Stethoscope Ignores Outside Sounds

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) stops internal bleeding without surgery: Stopping Internal Bleeding Without Surgery

See also: Qigong and Energy Medicine Database ™

Ureteroscopy

A laser may be used to break up a kidney stone.

Vibrational spectroscopy

Using light to monitor low-level functioning of a system. Examples are Raman spectroscopy and vibrational spectroscopy: Intra-operative optical diagnostics with vibrational spectroscopy.

Vega Test

A highly effective electronic procedure to detect all allergy conditions by monitoring skin impedance at acupuncture points.