A needle temperature microsensor for in vivo and real-time measurement of the temperature in acupoints

A novel needle temperature microsensor measurement system was established to study the temperature characteristics in acupoints. Before used in vivo, the needle temperature microsensor was tested in vitro and proved stable, accurate and sensitive. Its measurement error was no more than ±0.1 °C by calibration. Its resolution was 0.1 °C and response time was less than 1 s. The measurement ranged from 20 to 40 °C. The in vivo experiments showed that the temperature of the acupoints ascended significantly higher than that of the left and right non-acupoints (parallel to the detected acupoints and 1.0 cm apart from them) after electroacupuncture (EA) at other acupoints, which were located on the same meridian line with the detected acupoints but 6-10 cm away from them. The results indicated that the needle temperature microsensor had a good performance in vivo. Furthermore, it supplied a reliable tool for the study of the mechanism of acupuncture and meridians.