'Efficacy of "Precious Metal Nano Acupuncture" for Alcohol Addiction'

Development of Oriental Medicine Needle Manufacturing Technology Utilizing Precious Metal Nanoparticle Properties
New Impact Expected in Korean Medicine and Alternative Medicine Fields
Alcoholism Treatment in Animal Experiments

FESEM image of porous needles plated with precious metal nanoparticles

[Asia Economy Reporter Junho Hwang] A technology that enhances the effectiveness of medical needles by increasing their surface area through nanotechnology has been developed. A research team led by Professor Su-il In of the Department of Energy Engineering at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) announced on the 28th that they have developed a 'porous needle plated with precious metal nanoparticles,' and the related research paper was recently published in the international academic journal RSC Advances.

The research team improved the efficacy of needles by applying a nanotechnology surface treatment method to the porous needle technology they developed in 2016. The needle developed by the team has a structure with fine pores ranging from nanometers (nm = one-billionth of a meter) to micrometers (μm = one-millionth of a meter) on its surface. Precious metal nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm are uniformly coated between the fine pores of the porous needle. This increases the surface area of the needle up to 37 times, making it highly effective for electrochemical and electrophysiological signal amplification through the needle. In particular, porous needles plated with silver nanoparticles exhibited the most outstanding electrochemical and electrophysiological properties. The research team also confirmed excellent effects in detoxifying alcohol in experimental animals during chronic alcoholism treatment experiments.

Professor Bonghyo Lee of Daegu Haany University said, "The research results using porous needles plated with precious metal nanoparticles have laid the foundation for advancing acupuncture treatment in Oriental medicine," adding, "This study is expected to play an important role in the qualitative improvement of Korean medicine medical technology." Professor Su-il In stated, "The porous needle plated with precious metal nanoparticles, which further develops the existing porous needle, is the crystallization of convergence technology between nanoscience and Korean medicine," and added, "We will continue related research and devote all efforts to realizing commercialization."

Electrophysiological Experiments of Porous Needles Coated with Precious Metal Nanoparticles and Chronic Alcoholism Treatment Experiments

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