Pictured above are diode rings - used as adjunctive treatment strategy in acupuncture. I’m trying to find the same or similar diodes. Thanks!
Here are some to look at. As a note, those diodes are of package type SOD-57 or SOD-64.
Thank you very much! Does the red and green colour of the ones in the photos mean anything?
To the left of the diode picture on that link the red is the mfr datasheet link if you click it.
The green leaf represents rohs compliant (usually lead free ) .
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Does the colour of the diode have meaning? I’m reading that the acupuncture diode rings use silicon or germanium diodes… how can I determine or filter for these types of diodes in the search results? Thanks for your help!
okay
- I typed diode into our search bar
- picked singe diode
- mounting type I picked through hole
4)Technology would be the spot to pick silicon or germanium diode
***I find if I then go to your package all we show is standard or avalanche not silicon or germanium
Hopefull that another tech can add some to this.
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Greetings,
You have piqued my curiosity, what function do these serve in acupuncture?
It seems like there is a parallel LC resonator (the diode and the shunting wire). The open ends of the ring with different metal coatings will create Volta potential, when coupled through skin. That potential modulates the resonance frequency of the LC. A muscle under treatment must somehow benefit from that resonance and has a capability to adjust the Volta potential to steer the resonance to favorable direction.
Just visually comparing the two samples from probably the same manufacturing batch, one could observe that the physical dimension tolerances are not very strict. That may suggest that the effective function of the device is not sensitive to the center frequency (@Vf=0) of the resonator.
The opposite direction winding of the diode legs may reduce noise coupling.
The devices OP is asking to identify may actually be varactors.
Hello! They’re held on the skin with medical tape (or may be worn on the fingers) and are used to help direct the flow of energy in the body. Supposed to be especially good for scar tissue, bruises, ligament and bone.
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I think the different colour coatings on the rings are to denote direction of placement - because the diode colours fade over time and with cleaning between patient use. And I read that the little bump on the end of the red one is to make the rings user friendly for visually impaired acupuncturists. I recently learned that historically, acupuncturists in Japan were often blind.
Interesting, thanks for the reply. I think if I get acupuncture I will have to go with a sighted one, a blind one would make me too nervous, I’d get twitchy and I likely would get stuck in the wrong place, because of my own nervousness rather than their skill level 
That’s fair - I don’t think its very common in Canada or in current day Japan. My teacher’s teacher’s teacher (Master Nagano) was blind. I find it quite fascinating and had no idea about that until I starting learning this style.
I also find it fascinating that they can excel at something that I would have thought absolutely needed sight. Thanks for helping me learn something today. Still think I’d be too nervous for them, I do get twitchy
Remember acupuncture is purely magical so do not attempt to use science while investigating it. Every time it is investigated with any real scientific method it only shows placebo effects.
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Hi @stephaniem,
Thank you for your explanation. So, I’d assume that the diode type is not very critical. You could perhaps consider a diode in DO-7 package as it looks much cooler that the ones used in the rings.
Note that you should use lead-free solder to attach the diode to the ring for patient safety.
Also many diode legs may contain nickel, which may cause allergic reaction. Check that before selecting the component.
Cheers,
heke
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Hi heke,
Thanks for your follow up message! That’s a very important point about the nickel and lead. You’re right, I think the diode type isn’t critical. I’ve seen some made from diodes that look like the examples you’ve provided - so that’s a great option. In this photo looks like they’re just bending the legs and not even using a copper ring so I guess that would be even easier to start with.
Appreciate your input! 
