Figure 1

Representation of a biocapture device with a semi-cylindrical molded tube taped to the skin surface over meridians.

The pericardium (PC), lung (LU) and bladder (BL) meridian lines and related acupuncture points are illustrated on the top left, top right and bottom right panels. The region from PC 5 to PC 7 is defined as acupoint (3 acupoints), the distance between PC 3 and PC 4 is defined as meridian line without acupoint (MWOP) and non-meridian control region close to PC meridian (NMCR). The region overlapping LU 8 and LU 9 is defined as acupoint (2 acupoints), the distance between LU 6 and LU 7 represents MWOP and NMCR as non-meridian area adjacent to the meridian. The region over BL 57 is defined as acupoint (1 acupoint), the distance between BL 55 and BL 56 represents MWOP and NMCR as non-meridian area adjacent to the meridian. The device was adhered to the skin surface using a custom double-sided adhesive and NO scavenging solution (100 μM PTIO) was injected into the tubing over the skin surface for 20 min in order to directly absorb NO. The PC, LU and BL meridian lines and related acupuncture points are reproduced from J. A. Johnson, Chinese Medical Qigong Therapy: A Comprehensive Clinical Text, 2000.