US3859983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acupuncture locating device and needle guide
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-06-07
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Granted: 1975-01-14
•
Expires: 1993-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A locating device for transmitting a mild electrical direct current or pulsating direct current through the body of a patient to locate through increased resistance as indicated on a meter, areas in the body that may benefit from the application of an acupuncture needle. Said locating device has an elongated handle, a hole in an end portion of said handle extending diametrically through the handle. A second hole is elongated longitudinally of the handle, and intersects with said first hole. An electrically conductive, tubular locator and needle guide is received in said first hole to have sliding travel therein to desired positions of adjustment relative to the handle. A spring loaded ball is disposed in said second hole to frictionally engage said tubular guide to resist said sliding travel. A screw, threadedly received in said handle, bears against the tubular guide with sufficient force to afford an effective restraint against said sliding travel to secure said guide in a predetermined, and desired position. It is intended that an end of the tubular guide may be placed against the skin of a patient, and the guide held in a desired position by means of the handle, while an acupuncture needle is inserted into the guide and with a light tap forced into the body of a patient in the desired area.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert A Dohring
- 👤 Grace H Dohring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:18
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/05; A61B5/053; A61B5/0531; A61B5/0532; A61H; A61H39/00; A61H39/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
In an electrical locator to determine the areas on the body of a patient which may benefit from treatment by insertion of an acupuncture needle, with said locater included in an electrical circuit, and including, an elongated handle formed of electrically non-conductive material, a first hole extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said handle, an electrically conductive, elongated tubular electrode, received in said first hole to extend transversely of said longitudinal axis, and having sliding travel therein relative to said handle, for adjustment to desired positions thereon, electrically conductive, yieldably resistant means carried by said handle to engage said tubular electrode to yieldably resist said sliding travel so as to retain the tubular electrode in assembly with said handle, an electrically conductive wire, one end of which has electrical communication with said yieldably resistant means, a second electrode engageable with the body of a patient, and having electrical communication with the other end of said wire and being adapted to complete a circuit through said tubular electrode through the body of a patient, a source of electrical power connected in said circuit, and a gage incorporated in said circuit to measure the characteristic of electrical current.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
In an electrical locator to determine the areas on the body of a patient which may benefit from treatment by insertion of an acupuncture needle, with said locater included in an electrical circuit, and including, an elongated handle formed of electrically non-conductive material, a first hole extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of said handle, an electrically conductive, elongated tubular electrode, received in said first hole to extend transversely of said longitudinal axis, and having sliding travel therein relative to said handle, for adjustment to desired positions thereon, electrically conductive, yieldably resistant means carried by said handle to engage said tubular electrode to yieldably resist said sliding travel so as to retain the tubular electrode in assembly with said handle, an electrically conductive wire, one end of which has electrical communication with said yieldably resistant means, a second electrode engageable with the body of a patient, and having electrical communication with the other end of said wire and being adapted to complete a circuit through said tubular electrode through the body of a patient, a source of electrical power connected in said circuit, and a gage incorporated in said circuit to measure the characteristic of electrical current.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1, said handle further having a second hole elongated longitudinally thereof, and intersecting said first hole, said yieldably resistant means being disposed in said second hole to react against said tubular electrode to yieldably resist said sliding travel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as set forth in claim 2, a screw threadedly received in said handle, said screw being engageable with said tubular electrode to restrain said electrode from dislodgment from a predetermined desired position relative to said handle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination as set forth in claim 3, an electrically conductive tubular sleeve received in said second hole, said yieldably resistant means being a spring disposed in said sleeve, stop means in said slEeve to engage one end of said yieldably resistant spring, a ball of electrically conductive material engaging the opposite end of said spring, said spring reacting between said stop means and said ball to urge said ball into engggement with said tubular electrode to resist said sliding travel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
The combination as set forth in claim 4, a cup secured at one end of said handle, a head formed on said screw, said cup having a bottom wall, an aperture in said bottom wall to receive said screw, whereby the head of said screw bears against the bottom wall of said cup to secure said cup in assembly with said handle, said cup being composed of electrically non-conductive material, and electrically conductive absorbent material being received in said cup, said cup having an open end through which said conductive material may contact the skin of a patient being treated, to assist in the location of areas requiring treatment, whereby such areas may first be located with said cup, and more precisely located with said tubular electrode, precedent to the insertion of an acupuncture needle through said tubular electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
The combination as set forth in claim 5, a head at one end of said tubular electrode, a surface formed on said head and disposed thereon to guide a needle point into the tubular electrode, said tubular electrode guiding and supporting a needle to be driven therethrough by impact on an end of such needle by a fingertip or the like, said surface serving to limit movement of such needle through said electrode when such fingertip contacts said surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as set forth in claim 6, a set screw threadedly received in the head of said tubular guide and disposed therein to releasably engage said needle and restrain such needle from movement in said guide.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |