中文摘要
醫療用品及器材的優劣，直接影響治療的效果及病患的感受，設計不良及製造品質不佳的針灸針在使用時，輕者在穿刺皮膚組織時，造成病患的刺痛不舒服，重者針尖斷裂留於皮膚組織及血管內，對生命將造成威脅，因此針灸針的品質優劣，將嚴重影響治療的安全性及舒適性。
過去對於醫療用針的研究主要集中在外科用針（縫針）方面，對於針的幾何外形及機械性能等特性都有進行研究探討，傳統醫學上的針灸，雖然在醫學上的重要性漸漸被肯定，但是關於針灸針的機械性質方面的研究卻很少。針灸針之特性受到針的材料、尺寸、針尖外形等諸多因素的影響，針的製造過程、加工方式、及熱處理等也會影響到針的機械特性。本論文的研究目的，對於目前醫療用針灸針機械與電氣性能等參數進行研究，提供一種量化的依據，作為針灸針的設計與製造改良的參考。
本論文進行針灸針幾何外觀、機械性能、電氣性能的實驗結果發現，較佳的針灸針，其針體表面粗度小，表面缺陷少，其針尖外形不可以太細長尖銳，要有適當的長徑比，而機械性能方面的實驗結果顯示最大穿刺力量是針尖鋒利度的一個指標，較佳的針灸針其穿刺力量較小，針尖幾何外形、表面粗度、長徑比與針灸針的製作過程及加工方法、材料等等都會影響穿刺力量的大小。電氣性能方面發現較佳的針灸針具有磁性以及較高電阻的特性，其是否會影響針灸時的治療效果，至目前為止並不明瞭，還有其他因素會影響治療效果嗎？以此將做為未來研究的一項重要課題。
ABSTRACT
A poor quality acupuncture needle induces uncomfortable pains for patients in a lesser degree, more seriously, when needle point breaks while penetrating the skin might greatly endanger patient's life. The quality of acupuncture needles is thus very critical for the safety of treatment and patient feelings.
In the past, most investigations on medical needles were mainly focused on the surgical needles. Geometry, shapes of the needles or their mechanical properties have been discussed. On the other hand, the importance of traditional Chinese acupuncture though is gradually recognized by modern medical science, studies on the bio-mechanical properties of the acupuncture needles are still very few. Quality of acupuncture needles were affected by materials, dimension, needle point geometry and many other factors. For example, needle manufacture process and heat treatment also have some effects on the mechanical properties of the needles.
The purpose of this study is investigating acupuncture needle's mechanical and electrical properties, provide a quantitative criterion for selecting, design and manufacture improvements of the needles. This study measures different acupuncture needles geometries, testing their mechanical and electrical properties. It is found a better quality needles usually exhibit smaller surface roughness on the needle body, very few or none surface defects.
Needle point can not be too sharp and its slenderness should be proper. In the sense of mechanical property, we found better quality needles have smaller penetration forces and needle point geometry, surface roughness, slender ratio, manufacturing process and material all affect the penetration force in the test. For the better quality needles, although we found they possess magnetism and higher electrical resistance, their effects on the medical treatment, however, are not clear.