Development of an Acupuncture Training System Using Virtual Reality Technology

Abstract

It is believed in oriental Chinese medicine that some special points called acu-points, and meridians connecting such acu-points, are existing in the human body. The acupuncture is accordingly such a medical treatment to cure the illness or to keep the human body healthy by stimulating related acu-points particularly those on a meridian. Acupuncture was originated from ancient China with the typical Chinese thinking and special philosophy, and recently has been accepted as a useful curing method, attracting quite much interest and being studied by many medical institutions worldwide. In this study, an acupuncture training system using virtual reality technology was developed. A virtual 3D human acu-points model was constructed on computer. The position and depth of acu-points are quantitatively indexed with the model. Acupuncture practices with quantitative targeting values and real-time true-false judgments are carried out.