title: [Study on display of acupuncture meridian based on electric signal transfer characteristics].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the real-time effects of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation by means of multiport network theory and measurement of the electric signals transfer coefficient, so as to explore a way for determining the running course of acupuncture meridian and for characterizing its physiological activities in the living body.
  
  
  METHODS
  The body was modeled as a complex inhomogeneous 3-dimensions multi-port network, and the meridians were assumed to be "the most smoothly channels for signal transmission". Experiments were performed in 12 beheaded toads whose forelimbs and hindlimbs were divided into proportional coordinates. A concentric electrode with a conical tip was inserted into the toad leg for electrical stimulation of the local muscle, and another electrode alike was inserted into different spots of the limbs to detect the spreading signals in a 3-dimensional scanning mode. Following detecting the response electric voltage values of various spots and calculating their transfer coefficients, the spots which acquired a maximum signal value were considered to be the "acupoints". The imaginary connective lines passing the "acupoints" were regarded as the running courses of acupuncture meridians.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of twelve 3-dimensional curves were detected based on the connected lines of electric signal transfer function extremum spots 2 mm beneath the skin of the ipsilateral fore- and hind-limbs of 12 spinal toads.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study initially validates the feasibility of electric signal transfer coefficient measurement for displaying the running course of acupuncture meridian in the toad fore- and hindlimbs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radio Frequency and Optoelectronic Integrated Circuits, State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China. zgwang@seu.edu.cn
authors.forename: Zhi-Gong
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-Ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Lü
authors.forename: Su-Yang
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Cen-Yu
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yue-Lin
authors.initials: YL
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yi-Fu
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yi-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015669:Acupuncture Points; D000818:Animals; D002024:Bufo marinus; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D015671:Electroacupuncture; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000502:physiology; D016740:Meridians