A Study on the Coating of Acupuncture Needle with Bioceramics to Improve Insulation Performance

In this study, heat-acupuncture needle was coated with bioceramics by applying a plasma spray coating method to prevent a skin burn in the heat-acupuncture therapy. The effect of coating on the surface roughness of heat-acupuncture needle was investigated and the surface morphology was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The effect of coating on the heat conduction of heat-acupuncture needle was also investigated. The results showed that the surface roughness of uncoated, Al2O3, and ZrO2 coated needle was 0.0675um, 8.568um, and 3.285um, respectively. The surface of ZrO2 coated needle was more uniform than that of Al2O3 coated needle. The results also showed that the heat conduction of heat-acupuncture needle was significantly affected by the bioceramic coating on the needle. Specifically, the maximum temperature of middle part of uncoated, Al2O3, and ZrO2 coated needle was 48°C, 38°C and 42°C, respectively.