Trends in the Development of Acupuncture-Related Technologies Based on Patents in South Korea

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the trends in the development of acupuncture-related technologies based on patents in Korea. Analyzing patent trends in acupuncture will highlight the current advances in the development of acupuncture-related technologies and may facilitate the innovation of novel acupuncture techniques.

METHODS: The electronic database of the Korea Intellectual Property Rights Information Service (KIPRIS) was searched for information on acupuncture-related patents registered from inception till May 2023. Only acupuncture and electroacupuncture were included in this review. The current status, contents, and technological characteristics of the relevant patents were analyzed systematically to identify the overall status of acupuncture-related patents.

RESULTS: Overall, 130 patents were identified from the KIPRIS database, of which 97 were unrelated to the research topic and were excluded. Finally, 33 patents were assessed. Interest in the development of acupuncture technology increased steadily over the past decade. Patent application reached its peak in 2018 with six cases, while patent registration peaked in 2019 with seven cases. Twenty-two acupuncture-related patents were for acupuncture (66.6%) and 11 for electroacupuncture (33.3%). The technical specifications for the patents included acupuncture devices (30.3%), acupuncture manufacturing methods and equipment (36.4%), and electroacupuncture devices (33.3%). The development of acupuncture devices focused primarily on improving operator convenience during the procedure and providing a combined stimulation effect. Patents for acupuncture manufacturing methods and equipment included improvement of structural coupling for manufacturing and development of an automatic assembly for mass production. The primary objective of electroacupuncture-related patents was to ensure safety during electroacupuncture stimulation and provide stable electroacupuncture stimulation by improving the electric current supply method.

CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture-related technology currently focuses on technological advancements for the safe and effective delivery of stimulation. The future development of new acupuncture-related technologies requires an approach that considers technological specialization and the overall tendency to ensure the novelty and innovation of patents.