A mini-infrared moxibustion instrument was developed on the base of carbon fiber heating film. This new type moxibustion instrument integrated the moxibusiton technique of TCM with modern technology. It is composed of a power module, an infrared generator module, a temperature sensor, a display screen and a main control panel. The carbon fiber is adopted as the material for infrared generator, which produces infrared rays in the range of the life light wave (from 8 to 15 μm), characterized as precise control of temperature, small gradient and wide range of temperature adjustment. The users can adjust the temperature and time of moxibustion by themselves. The instrument is small in size, light in weight, easy to carry and charge as well as comfortable and safe in application. It can be fixed directly at the required region without the posture restriction and be used whenever needed. Using PowerLab multichannel physiological recorder, the temperature carve is detected at different setting temperatures. The results show that the temperature is increased rapidly and stable.
Acupuncture Points ; Carbon Fiber ; Moxibustion ; Temperature

INTRODUCTIONSedation or anaesthesia is recommended for all patients undergoing bronchoscopy unless absolute contraindications exist. However, the widely used combination of propofol and opiates for moderate sedation (MS) in bronchoscopy results in a high incidence of hypoxaemia and a relatively high cough score during the procedure. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of target-controlled infusion (TCI) of propofol and remifentanil, together with the use of high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV), to achieve general anesthesia (GA) in diagnostic fibre-optic bronchoscopy.

METHODSA total of 92 consecutive patients scheduled for flexible bronchoscopy were randomly assigned to receive either MS using TCI-delivered propofol and remifentanil (n = 46), or GA using TCI-delivered propofol and remifentanil with HFJV (n = 46). The following were compared between the MS and GA groups: incidence of hypoxaemia, cough score, haemodynamic parameters, partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood, duration of bronchoscopy and patient satisfaction score.

RESULTSThe average and minimum oxygen saturation values in the MS group were lower than those in the GA group. The MS group showed a higher incidence of hypoxaemia. There was no significant difference in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide between the two groups. Cough score and duration of the bronchoscopy were markedly lower in the GA group, and patient satisfaction score was higher in the GA group.

CONCLUSIONGA, achieved via TCI-delivered propofol and remifentanil with HFJV, provides better conditions for diagnostic bronchoscopy - it decreases the occurrence of hypoxaemia, shortens the duration of bronchoscopy and increases patient satisfaction.

Adult ; Aged ; Anesthesia, General ; Bronchoscopy ; methods ; Carbon Dioxide ; chemistry ; Conscious Sedation ; methods ; Female ; Fiber Optic Technology ; Hemodynamics ; High-Frequency Jet Ventilation ; methods ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; Hypoxia ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Oxygen ; chemistry ; Patient Satisfaction ; Piperidines ; administration & dosage ; Propofol ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult