In traditional Chinese medicine, moxibustion plays an important role, because of its centuries-old history, unique method and good curative-effect. Institute of Biomedical Engineering Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences started the systematic study on the basis of researching on curing mechanism, points heating physics process and the distribution of temperature fie1d, heat susceptibility and endurable time of human body. We developed Chinese moxibustion instruments BME-500 series that is new micro- processor controlled, temperature auto-controlled, according to the theory of curing mechanisms of traditional Chinese moxibustion, and combined with multiple curing heads technique.

The instrument is composed of curing-heads, temperature measuring unit, microprocessor controlling unit, curing heads heating up unit, abnormal automatic alarming and protecting unit, displaying unit and keyboard controlling unit. One characteristic of the instruments is that each head can be set at different temperature and have abnormal alarming and protecting function. It can be used for Moxibustion with Medicine Substances, Sparrow-Packing Moxibustion and Moxibustion with Warming Needle. Temperature range of curing-heads is 42°C to 55°C.

Applicable confines are painful diseases by various wind- cold-damp arthralgia, bronchial asthma, rheumatic arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, hyperosteogeny of the cervical and lumbar, peri-arthritis of shoulder, hypertension and other diseases cured by Traditional Moxibustions.

Clinic trial of two years indicated that the instrument has advanced technique, logical design, safety and good curative effect. The instrument received China patent in June 1996, Patent No: ZL952l3546.9.

　　By Yin Tao, FengXu, Liu Zhipeng & Guan Xiaoguang.
　　Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.