Electrochemical Corrosion of STS304 Acupuncture Needles by Electrical Stimulation

Scanning electron micrograph of STS304 acupuncture needles. (A) and (C) were treated with an electrical current of 2 Hz, 0.05 mA, 0.25-ms pulse width and 30-minute duration using a PG-306 pulse generator. (B) and (D) were treated with an electrical current of 10 Hz, 1 mA, 10-ms pulse width and 30-minute duration using a Grass S88 stimulator. (C) and (D) show the morphology of the acupuncture needle surface inserted into the tibial muscle.

Apoptotic nuclei are present (brown stained TUNEL reaction) on the fifth day following electrical stimulations. (A, B) Skin. (C, D) Connective junction of skin and muscle. (E, F) Deep muscle. The arrow shows the corrosion product of acupuncture needles. All of the tissues were stained with methyl green counterstaining solution. (A, C, E) Acupuncture needles inserted without electrical stimulus (B, D, F) Treated with an electrical current of 10 Hz, 1-ms width and 30-minute duration with the Grass S88 stimulator.