Dental implants have revolutionized Dentistry, making it possible to replace a single tooth or all teeth in as little as an hour or two.
Computer Guided dental implants can improve your appearance, restore your smile and confidence, and allow you to eat the foods you like, without worrying about your teeth. Computer guided implant placement allows us to create an exact replica of your jawbone on our computer screen. This allows us to see all the structures such as nerves and sinuses. Thus, we can safely avoid the structures when planning and ultimately placing the implants. With the conventional method of placement the measurement is taken from a flat or one dimensional x-ray. This leaves us guessing in the other two dimensions.
Quick And Convienent
We all lead very busy lives in this day and age. Using computer guided treatment drastically reduces the amount of visits to the dentist. At the completion of the surgery you will be able to function immediately with your new teeth.
No stitches or incisions � Immediate Function
We all know that pain and recuperation are always a big concern. With computer guided placement there are no stitches or incisions. This conservative approach drastically diminishes pain and healing time.
Three Methods of Implant Denture Replacement
1. Mini-Implant Dentures - "Snap In" Dentures
This type of implant denture is an economic alternative for those who cannot afford conventional implants or the available bone is too sparse for conventional implants.
� Mini-implants can are used even when there is very little bone structure.
� Although this is a great alternative mini-implants may not last as long-term as conventional implants.
� Mini-implants cannot change the tightness or holding power of the denture as can conventional implants.
� A snap down denture is still a denture, meaning it still rests upon the gums.
� Although the chewing force achieved is much better by adding the snap down implants, it is still much less than your natural teeth.
� When economics is a major concern this method is the best choice.
2. Conventional Implant Dentures - "Snap In"
This type of denture is very similar to the mini-implant snap down denture. There are several fundamental differences.
� There is an abundance of documented research that shows these implants to have long term stability.
� The holding power of the snaps used can be adjusted to be weaker or stronger by switching out the retentive inserts.
� The larger diameter makes for a stronger implant.
� The cost is more than the mini-implant solution
� There must be adequate bone structure.
3. Implant Bridge Dentures
This by far is the best solution if you want to chew as well as you did with your natural teeth. This type of implant replacement does not rely on your gums for support. The entire bridge/denture is supported solely by the implants.
� The bridge/denture is permanently attached to the implants.
� There is no need for removal.
� They are brushed and flossed similar to your natural teeth.
� The chewing power is similar to your natural teeth.
� The cost is considerably more than the other two solutions
� There must be adequate bone
Dr. Vinod Chandel MDS. (Prosthodontics) AIIMS New Delhi
Advanced Dental Care,Prosthodontic and Implant Centre
SCO 157/1 Sector 37-C, Chandigarh
Phone no. 2691001, 09815131898

There is a certain feeling each of us has when we look into the mirror and feel really confident about our appearance. It "sets the mood" for our day or social function. Simply stated, our personal confidence can dramatically affect our lives.

Unfortunately, missing teeth, medically known as edentulism, keeps many people from "feeling their best". Edentulism not only affects your self-confidence, but also has a dramatic impact on the quality of your life.

Edentulism may limit your choice of foods and therefore your nutrition and general health.
Can make you feel isolated either socially or on the job.
Can effect relationships with loved ones.
Also leads to bone loss making the "fitting? of traditional dentures difficult or impossible
If not treated, partial edentulism, that is missing some of your teeth, can place stress on the remaining teeth requiring them to "do more work". This can lead to further tooth loss.
For years the best solutions for missing teeth were bridges, removable partial or full dentures. For centuries man has endeavored to find a more natural replacement for missing teeth. Modern, space age materials have allowed that quest to become a reality. Todays dental implant is possible because of these materials combined with years of research and clinical trials. The dental implant is truly the most natural solution for missing teeth.

But what exactly is a dental implant?

Implants are artificial tooth root that is made titanium, which is placed into your jawbone to hold a replacement tooth, or bridge closest is shape and size to the natural tooth root. After application of anesthesia, your dentist will expose the area of the jawbone to be implanted and prepare the bone to accept the implant. The number of incisions and bone preparations depends upon the number of implants (and teeth) being placed. The implant is carefully set into place and the gums are closed with several stitches. The healing period usually varies from as few as 3 to 6 months or more. The bone grows in and around the implant creating a strong structural support. When healing is complete, your implant is uncovered and an extension is attached onto which your new tooth or teeth are attached. Implants restore proper chewing function and so you can enjoy food.

You feel confident that your replacement teeth won?t move or loosen.
You regain the closest thing to the look, feel and function of your natural teeth.
Forget about unsightly partial denture clasps, which place damaging pressure on remaining natural teeth.
Eliminate irritated and painful gums.
Improve your speech by eliminating or reducing the "fullness" of full or partial dentures.
Replace missing teeth with the look and feel of natural teeth without having to "cut down" healthy teeth.
Dental implants help stop the progressive bone loss and shrinkage of your jawbone by "mimicking" the roots of natural teeth.
Dental implants are clinically proven with a success rate in excess of 90%.
Clearly dental implants are one of the finest treatment options dentistry has to offer. With their ability to improve the quality of your life and health it's easy to understand why they have become the accepted alternative to traditional methods of replacing missing teeth.
Dr. Vinod Chandel MDS. (Prosthodontics) AIIMS New Delhi
Advanced Dental Care,Prosthodontic and Implant Centre
SCO 157/1 Sector 37-C, Chandigarh
Phone no. 2691001, 09815131898

How to Make a Hospital Hospitable

Every hospital should have a plaque saying: There are some patients whom we cannot help; there are none whom we cannot harm.
Arthur Bloomfield

Hospitals can provide a secure refuge when you are seriously ill, remember that hospitals can be scary places! For one thing, the very fact that your doctor wants you to be admitted into hospital means that he thinks you are quite ill, and this in itself can generate considerable anxiety! Even worse, hospitals can be very unfriendly places. Not only do hospitals strip you of all your dignity (having to wear a half-open hospital gown which barely covers your body properly does not do much good to your ego!), but also they subject you to painful routines and humiliating rituals performed by a retinue of strangers. Moreover, you could be woken up at any time of the day, (or night), deprived of your privacy, forced to eat unpalatable food, cut off from friends and family, and denied a lot of the independence which you take so much for granted in daily life. Also, remember that hospitals can be dangerous to your health as well! Hospital-acquired infections have become increasingly common (since a number of sick patients are gathered together under one roof); and errors and mix-ups are not unusual at all, especially in India, where the paramedical staff is often poorly trained.
The first rule, therefore, is try to stay out of hospital as far as possible! However, if there is no choice, there is a lot you can do to improve the quality of your hospital stay.
The first step is selecting a hospital. Often, you may have no choice in this regard. For example, your surgeon may operate at only a particular institution. Or your employer may have entered into a contract with a particular hospital, so that if you want your hospital expenses to be covered by your company, you may have to be admitted only to this hospital. However, if a choice is available, then how do you select the best hospital? Basically, hospitals fall under the following categories:

1. Private large hospitals. These are large (200-bed plus) institutes, which offer all medical facilities (including pathology, radiology and blood banking) under one roof. While such hospitals often attract the best medical specialists, and many have a developed a reputation for providing excellent medical care, they can be very expensive. Unfortunately, they are also usually very impersonal, and you are often just "the patient in bed number 423". Also, the red tape in these places can be considerable. These hospitals tend to overuse medical technology, which can prove to be a major disadvantage while treating common problems. However, these hospitals should be your first choice if you are suffering from a complex or rare problem, or if you require major surgery.

2. Private small hospitals/nursing home. These are small facilities (containing 10-20 beds), which are usually run by a single doctor, or a small team of doctors, in order to provide care for their own patients. They are very popular, because they are relatively less expensive and provide patients with personalized care and attention. However, you should be aware of the fact that many of these facilities may not meet basic standards, because of the lack of governmental rules and regulations. Many of these places are poorly equipped (for example, a doctor may set up a cardiac monitor at the patient�s bedside, and call the bed an " intensive cardiac care unit�!); the staff may be medically unqualified and poorly trained; and they may not posses the infrastructure (e.g. blood bank facilities) to cope with complex problems. On the whole, well-run nursing homes are a good choice for treating simple problems (e.g., simple surgical procedures).

3. Public hospitals. These are large hospitals run by the government. While they may posses excellent medical staff, since many of them are often attached to medical colleges, their equipment, however sophisticated, often does not function, due to a paucity of funds. Often, basic standards of hygiene may be lacking in these places. Nevertheless, they can provide excellent medical care at highly subsidized rates and are a good choice for emergencies (since they are well-equipped to handle trauma and emergency cases, and will not turn patients away) and for certain complex problems, since some of the departments in these hospitals can be centers of excellence.

CHOOSING YOUR ROOM
During a stay in the hospital, several options are available as to room choice. Depending on insurance coverage or personal preference, a patient may stay in a private room, a semi-private room or a ward. Private rooms may be deluxe (with amenities comparable to a five-star hotel in some hospitals) or first class, and offer the advantage of much needed peace and quiet. A major plus point is that your friends or relatives can stay with you; after all, you need to have someone who can look after your best interest when you in a hospital bed! In a semi-private room, curtains are put up around each bed that allow for some privacy, but the bathroom is usually common for the occupants. A ward is a hospital room that is large enough to accommodate several beds. Each bed may be curtained off during examination for privacy, but you are otherwise fully exposed to all passersby. However, the charges are much less than those of a private room.

LOOKING AFTER YOURSELF
Nobody likes to be in the hospital � and it�s especially difficult if you have to be hospitalized for a long time. Some ideas which can help you to keep yourself from becoming bored, depressed or lonely if you have a long hospital stay include the following: keep a journal; write letters to family and friends; do activities such as needle point, sewing, knitting; listen to a radio; talk with other patients; read a book; do puzzles and word games; play computer-games; surf the internet on a laptop.
Hospitals can be dehumanising places to be in, so try to personalise your surroundings as far as possible, by surrounding yourself with objects you enjoy, such as books, a radio, games and puzzles. Try to arrange for food from home, if at all possible � hospital food have a deservedly bad reputation. It�s also a good idea for you to have your mobile/cell-phone with you, in case an unforeseen emergency crops up during your hospital stay.
It�s useful to ask for help from family and friends � request them to come and visit you. Most people will be glad to oblige � and remember to return the favour if someone you know is in hospital. If you like, you can ask them to bring food or fresh fruit that is not served in the hospital, so you can look forward to eating something appetising . And don�t forget to look at the upside � you get served breakfast in bed!

MEDICAL RECORDS: TO SEE OR NOT TO SEE?
Although your medical chart affixed to your bed is legally the property of the hospital, you should be aware of what kind of information is recorded on it. If you have any doubts, ask your doctor for an explanation. The chart should contain the following details:
� Your medical history (in the form of a synopsis).
� Results of all laboratory tests.
� Doctor�s order sheet: (1) daily list of medications to be taken, (2) special treatments or testing, (3) dietary restrictions, and (4) scheduled diagnostic procedures.
� Notes on surgery performed: (1) name of operation; (2) anesthetic used; (3) the names of the assisting staff; and (4) whether or not blood was transfused.
Don't be surprised if you encounter resistance when you ask to see these records! Many physicians and hospitals still don't believe that these records belong to you, or even that you should have access to them. As with any argument, there are two sides of this one too. The most commonly voiced concern is that patients may misinterpret the records, and become confused or unnecessarily frightened by the information they contain. Further, physicians and hospitals are concerned about their malpractice liability being increased if patients are granted unlimited access to their records, and some fear that records will not be kept with the same degree of honesty if patients were to have direct and unlimited access to them. Patients, on the other hand, want to know what is in their records - after all, the records are about their body! They also believe, quite correctly, that they can store their x-rays and records more reliably than anyone else. The ideal situation is one where you and your physician go over the records together, with your physician explaining the information, and you knowing that you can ask any question and get a clear and honest answer.

The Hospital Routine
An average day in a hospital can be divided into five categories. They normally involve the following:
1. The patient�s activities such as laboratory tests (often done early in the morning), treatments or scheduled surgeries, visiting hours and rest periods.
2. Nursing observations, which include monitoring and charting your vital signs (pulse, blood pressure, temperature, urine output) on a frequent basis; as well as evaluating your physical and emotional needs. A good nurse is worth her weight in gold!
3. Doctor�s visits. Doctor�s rounds may occur at various times during the day, and the resident doctor or assistant will often visit you early in the morning. Your personal doctor may come to see you, and this visit is often the high point of the day for the patient. Unfortunately, the doctor is often in and out of the room so fast, that you may not get a chance to clarify your doubts. Please request your doctor to sit down, so that you get some more time to talk to him. It�s a good idea to "prepare" for these visits, by having a list of questions you need answers to.
4. Medications which can begin before breakfast and continue throughout the day and night as prescribed by the doctor. Intravenous lines (IV fluids) require more frequent nursing attention.
5. Meals, which are normally brought by orderlies three times daily. A nighttime drink or snack may also be available.

WHO�S WHO AT THE HOSPITAL
In a hospital one finds so many people walking around in white uniforms that patients become easily confused as to who does what! While it�s the normal procedure for all the staff to wear name tags that identify who they are and what their positions are, a general understanding of the hospital staff can be beneficial.
Physicians
1. Medical Students: They are found only in teaching hospitals (attached to a medical college), and are trying to learn as much as possible. They cannot actually treat patients by themselves, but a kind and understanding student can often spend a lot of time with you and explain what�s going on.
2. Residents: They are doctors who are receiving specialty training in a particular medical field such as surgery or medicine.
3. Doctor: The doctor who admitted you to the hospital.
4. Consultants: They are specialists, and your doctor may ask them to examine you to provide expert advise or a second opinion.
Nurses
Nurses are the ones who really take care of you when you are in hospital, and their responsibilities include: (1) taking and charting your vital signs (such as temperature, pulse and blood pressure); (2) taking care of your wound; (3) carrying out your doctor�s orders; (4) giving you your Nurses spend much more time with patients than doctors do, and will often be your primary contact with your medical caregivers. They can also teach you to care for yourself when you go home.
Additional Hospital Staff
1. Orderlies or nurse�s aides assist in moving patients to the x-ray room or to other specialized testing rooms and help in a non-medical capacity.
2. Occupational Therapists assist disabled patients in performing their routine activities.
3. Physical Therapists assist patients in developing the strength and the ability to become and remain mobile through exercises, massage and other treatments.
4. Respiratory Therapists help with the use of specialized equipment to treat breathing disorders.
It is very helpful to know someone on the hospital medical staff (an "insider") with whom you can really communicate. This individual may be a nurse, a technician or a social worker. Request this person to act as your advocate in order to help you get the medical care you need and want � a medical "insider" who is on your side can be very useful when you are in hospital!

HOW TO BE A COST-CONSIOUS HOSPITAL PATIENT
Hospital bills can add up to huge amounts very easily, and you need to be aware of what steps you can take to save your money! The basic rule is simple: avoid an unnecessary stay in the hospital! The hospital should never be viewed as a place to get a good rest. Consider the following pointers:
� Consult your physician and, whenever possible, select outpatient services. By avoiding an overnight stay at a hospital, substantial savings can occur. Many routine laboratory tests and scans can be done for a lesser cost as an outpatient.
� As an inpatient, stay only for the prescribed time that is necessary. If it�s peace and quite you need in order to recuperate, a hotel may be a better bargain.
� If you need surgery, ask your doctor if this can be done on a day-care basis, so that you don�t need hospitalisation.
How to keep your hospital bills down
� Be an intelligent and informed patient � ask questions, to make sure that all the medical procedures you are advised are truly necessary.
� Take out a medical insurance policy when you are healthy � this can be very helpful in case you do fall ill.
� Hospital bills can be huge, and they need to be carefully analysed to look for errors. Don�t assume that just because it�s generated on a computer that it�s accurate � billing errors are amazingly common, and you need to actively look out for them. Insist on a receipt whenever you pay your hospital bills.
� Beware of duplication of tests. Be sure to ask the doctor about what blood tests, x-rays and medical procedures you will need to undergo in hospital.
� Checkout times should be strictly followed. Be sure you know when precisely you need to leave and stick to your schedule; otherwise, you�re likely to be charged for an extra day�s stay.
� If your health problem isn�t an emergency, avoid being admitted to a hospital on a weekend. No one likes working on weekends, and testing will usually not take place until Monday.
� Discuss your financial concerns with your doctor. Many doctors and hospitals can and do reduce their fees for patients who have problems with payments. Also, remember that you will get exactly the same quality of medical care in a first class deluxe room in a private hospital, as you will in the General Ward � but you will end up paying more.
Remember, that sooner or later, you or a family member will have to spend some time in a hospital. If you are well-prepared, you can make sure you will survive your stay in style � so that you can show off your surgical scar to all your friends at the next party!

Surgery for Low Back Pain?

Every one of us who never had backache must consider themselves very lucky as it has been reported that LBP affects as much as 70-90% of the adult population at some point of time.
The good news is that only one fourth get recurrence or progression to longstanding LBP. The person who has been suffering from LBP for a long time seeks solace at any cost even if it means undergoing a major operative procedure. But nowhere the role of operative treatment of any disease has been as controversial as in low back pain.
What I am trying to tell you is not a substitute to the opinion of a well informed doctor but it may help you to arrive at a correct decision pertaining to your individual condition.
There is insignificant correlation between back pain and the findings on different imaging studies. An overdependence on the diagnosis of disc herniation occurred with early use of MRI that show disc herniations in 20% to 36% of normal volunteers. This incidence increased to 76% of asymptomatic controls when they were matched to a population at risk for work-related lumbar pain complaints.
Severe nerve compression demonstrated by MRI or CT correlates with symptoms of distal leg pain; however, mild to moderate nerve compression disc degeneration or bulging, and central stenosis do not significantly correlate with specific pain patterns.
Lumbar MRI scans of 67 asymptomatic patients and found that 20% of those younger than 60 years of age had herniated disc, which were also present in 36% of those over the age of 60 years. Asymptomatic abnormalities were found in 57% of those 60 years of age or older. Lumbar disc degeneration was found in 35% of those from 20 to 39 years of age and in 100% of those over 50 years of age.

If you have been considering surgery for LBP here are certain things to consider before making a decision.
If the pain is mainly in your back with no or minimal radiation with no other abnormality other than a disc bulge reconsidering surgery would be better.
Appropriate treatment for what can be at times excruciating pain generally should begin with evaluation for significant spinal pathology. This being absent, a brief (1 to 3 days) period of bed rest with institution of painkillers and rapid progression to an active exercise regimen with an anticipated return to full activity should be expected and encouraged. Generally, patients treated in this manner improve significantly in 4 to 8 weeks. Diagnostic studies, including roentgenograms, often are unnecessary because they add little information.
Structural abnormalities do not always cause pain and diagnostic injections can help to correlate abnormalities seen on imaging studies with associated pain complaints. In addition, epidural injections can provide pain relief during the recovery of disc or nerve root injuries and allow patients to increase their level of physical activity. Because severe pain from an acute disc injury with or without radiculopathy often is time-limited, therapeutic injections help to manage pain and may alleviate or decrease the need for oral analgesics.
Surgical treatment can benefit a patient if it corrects a deformity, corrects instability, or relieves neural compression, or treats a combination of these problems.
There have been various studies comparing the long term results of operations for LBP ranging from microscopic discectomy to circumferential fusion.
Both the surgeon and the patient must realize that disc surgery is not a cure but may provide symptomatic relief. It neither stops the pathological processes that allowed the disc prolapse to occur nor restores the back to a normal state. If you have a prolapsed disc on the much coveted MRI examination, to conclude that a removal of disc will bring total relief from pain may not be true for everyone.
Disc surgery with fusion of the affected spinal segments definitely provides relief from pain arising from instability but may also increase the motion strain on adjoining segments thereby increasing the chances of degeneration at these levels.
The patient must practice good posture and body mechanics after surgery. Activities involving repetitive bending, twisting, and lifting with the spine in flexion may have to be curtailed or eliminated. If prolonged relief is to be expected, then some permanent modification in the patient's lifestyle may be necessary.
This does not mean that chronic LBP patients are doomed to suffer. The most important aspect in treatment of such patients lies in education of the patient pertaining to his problem and to mutually manage the condition with medicines, life style modifications, structured exercise programs with constant supervision and surgical intervention in cases that would definitely be benefited.
The question that �Is surgery for LBP a solution to a problem or itself a problem� still remains unanswered not only in the minds of patients but also the people responsible for treating Low Back Pain.
Dr Sameer Agarwal can be reached at International Medical Center.

AYUR SCAN : Ayurvedic Whole Body Scan

ELECTRO - TRIDOSHA - GRAPH / GRAM (E.T.G.)

The Ultimate Ayurvedic Diagnosis Solution

Invented and Developed by: -

Dr. Desh Bandhu Bajpai

KUNMUN ELECTRO-TRIDOSHA-GRAM RESEARCH INSTITUTE

67/70, Bhusatoli Road, KANPUR-208001. Uttar Pradesh,

INDIA

Phone no: 0512-2367773




ABSTRACT; AYURVED, the Indian System of Medicine, is 5000 (five thousands) years old medical science. The whole Ayurveda is based on the Tridosha, Dhatu, Mal, Agni, and Oaj Theory, which are factually known as Maulik Siddhant. Diagnosis of Tridosha-agni-dhatu-mal-oaj etc. and diagnosis of diseases or disease conditions are based solely on the radial pulse examination conventionally and the treatment and management of the sick individual is totally dependent on the Radial pulse reading conceived by the Ayurvedic practitioners. To quantify TRIDOSHA, only radial pulse examination is conventional to assess the status of Tridosha in human body, depending upon the knowledge of the Ayurvedic practitioners he. How Vaidya /Ayurvedic clinician quantifies and conceives Tridosha himself and unto what extent? This is not explanatory by any means in physical proofs, as EVIDENCE-BASED-MEDICINE term, like examples of X-ray, Imaging pictures, Ultra-sound, MRI, Pathological investigations etc.

For the first time, Electro-Tridosha-Gram/Graph technology is invented with the help of Electro-Cardio-Graph Machine, making some changes. It is believed that this technology will improve the scientistic approach in MAULIK SIDDHANT of Ayurveda, the INDIAN SYSTEM OF MEDICINE, more accurate, more logical in its philosophy, examination, evaluation of drugs/remedy/medicine, monitoring and treatment. Today the Tridosha, the EachTridosha�s five kinds, the Sapta Dhatu, the Mal, Mootra and the Sved, Agni, Oaj and Total Oaj and other AYURVEDIC MAULIK SIDDHANT can be quantified with their presence in human body in their respective intensity on paper, which is showing physical existence of these theory before eyes in form of paper report, say �EVIDENCE BASED MEDICINE� by ELECTRO-TRIDOSHA-GRAPH/GRAM technology. Now Ayurveda have a scientific tool and technology at present time, which is capable and effective to prove scientifically the Tridosha and Sapta Dhatu (Dosha-Dooshya), Malam-moolam philosophy and other Maulik Siddhant. Today, it is believed that with the help of ETG technology, Ayurveda will enter into new era of research, which has innumerable possibilities to explore the truth of Ayurveda in evidence form, earlier said by the sages since five thousands years ago, in philosophy, in logic, in Siddhant etc. This technology will change the concept of Tridosha etc in diagnosis and treatment more accurate, more logical and most scientific. The technology will open new doors for research in Ayurveda, which have been never explored earlier.


SUMMERY OF THE RESEARCH WORK


1 - BACKGROUND:

How the idea was incepted and why the need for such a device has been felt?

IDEA INCEPTION

For the first time, the idea of ELECTRO-TRIDOSH-GRAM/GRAPH was that conceived by me, when few years back, one day, I was recording Electro-Cardio-Gram of my one patient by my Single channel BPL Cardiart 108T-MK-VI, ELECTRO-CARDIOGRAPH machine, which I am using since few years as a routine check of cardiac patients. My attention went to the movement of the ECG machine�s �stylus�, which is actually a heated needle, moves up and down according to signal received from the sick person�s body for tracing record on heat sensitive paper. Actually this is basically a type of Galvanometer. The movement of the stylus nature was throbbing and pulsating, just like Radial Pulse is throbbing and pulsating, when touches and slightly presses by the fingertips. The Radial Pulse examination is known as NARI PARIKSHAN in AYURVED, the Indian System of Medicine. Thus NARI PARIKSHAN done by the practitioners of Ayurvedic science, status of TRIDOSH, which are VATA, PITTA, KAPHA, in single and in combinations, are quantified in human body. Tridosha is an important and essential part of the basic root and foundation of Ayurveda, on which whole Ayurvedic science, its philosophy and concept is built. Without Tridosha, Ayurveda-science is nowhere stands.

Suddenly at a time, an imagination cropped-up in mind, that what is be good, if a sensor is made and fitted with the needle, so that it recorded the throbbing and pulsation and presented the recording on paper, so that radial pulse examination will be more scientific and authentic in compare to finger touch radial pulsation, observed mentally, but not physically existed, by the Vaidya, the Ayurvedic practitioners.

In fact I was in search of a mechanical means for Radial Pulse recording. Nari-examination is directed in many classical books of Ayurveda. It is directed that both hands� radial pulse should be examined. I have seen many patients that they have only one hand or in some cases both hands are absent or amputees. In these instances, radial pulse reading is impossible to assess the Tridosha intensities; therefore treatment based on Tridosha is difficult in these cases.

Ayurvedic practice is going on in my family as a traditional job from generation to generation. My forefathers were practicing Ayurveda. As for as concerned to myself, I belong to fifth generation of my traditional family profession. When I was teen-ager, my father gives me training to observe Radial pulse examination. My father narrates the pulsating and throbbing nature of radial pulse. How Vata, Pitta and Kaphha are observed in a sick, he describes all very lucidly.

One day I thought, could ECG machine be helpful in TRIDOSHA quantification? I tried on this thought, worked practically for weeks, without any result, but I never left any hope. The practical efforts on TRIDOSHA findings were continue. I never took any other persons� help. I discussed my idea to other Vaidyas, but nobody was in position to help me. I took help from classical textbooks of Ayurveda and Modern western medicines regularly. Books have always guided me at every crucial points and matters. One day I was studying a book on cardiology about the lead-arrangement system of Electro-Cardiograph machine {ECG machine}. I tried deeply to understand the lead arrangements of an ECG machine and gone thoroughly with some chapters on cardiology in textbooks. At last, I decided that Chest-lead could solve the problem.

The other problem was where to locate the site of body from where tracings could be recorded. Several experiments were done on different locations of body, but all was fruitless and nothing could be obtained. I was hopeful that I would hit the target. Studies, ideas, imaginations and real experiments were continued.


Another day I thought, Tridosha are living inside the human body, and first of all I should find out and locate the exact places of Vata, Pitta, and Kaphha existence. I started to find out this idea and gone through the great Ayurvedic classical like Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita, Ashtang Hridaya, Bhav-Prakash and many others. Lastly I got clearly in Bhav-Prakash, where these Vatadi doshas are present in human body with their locations. After that I decided the points, from where tracings can be recorded, for Tridosha status quantification. Patient�s case history, past and present complaints were the guide for establishing the points and waves pattern.


2- DESCRIPTION:

Technical details including mechanism of the innovation.

Since last over six years, Electro-cardio-graph machine is used to quantify and evaluate Tridosha and other �Maulik principles� by me in my clinic for studying, evaluating, measuring and establishing Tridosha etc. intensity from my outdoor patients. For Maulik Siddhant study a part of ECG machine is selected, with some changes. The selection of the sectors / site for placement of sucking electrode for obtaining tracings from Right Vata, Left Vata, Right Pitta, Left Pitta, Right Kaphha and Left Kaphha and sites for other leads are established accordingly.

Basic Principles

This is a known fact that when the heart contracts, electric currents are produced and distributed throughout the body to the skin, just like the spreading waves of a pool of water into which a stone has been dropped. Two electrodes can be applied to any parts of the body to lead the heart current to a recording galvanometer. The obtained trace record on heat sensitive paper is called an Electro-tridosha-gram.

Basic Electrophysiology

The changes in the electrical potential with each heart beat can be understood by considering the electrical behavior of a single cell. The surface of the resting cell will be electrically positive compared with the interior of the cell which is electrically negative. A cell in this condition is said to be in the polarized state and the exterior and interior of the cell can be compared to the two poles of a battery. When the cell is stimulated, the difference in the electrical state between the negative interior and positive exterior of the cell is temporarily abolished and the cell is said to be �depolarized�. When the effect of excitation has passed off and the cell has returned to its former resting state, the positive charge outside and negative charge inside are restored, the cell is �repolarised�.

When an excitatory [depolarization] process flows towards a unipolar electrode, the galvanometer will record a positive or upward deflection and when it flows away from the electrode, a negative or downward deflection.

Normal resting muscles:

No difference in electrical potential exists, therefore if the two ends are connected to a galvanometer no current will flow- no deflection

Depolarization

If one end of the muscles stripe is stimulated, the surface of the muscles is no longer positive whereas the surface of the cell at the resting portion is still positive, an electric current will therefore flow from the resting to the stimulated part causing the needle of the galvanometer to deflect.

When the excitation has activated the whole strip, all cells are in the excited or depolarized state. Consequently there is no difference in electrical potential between any points on the surface of the stripe. No current will therefore flow through the external circuit and the galvanometer needle will return to the zero position.

Repolarization

When the effect of stimulation has subsided, the strip returns to its resting state, recovery starting at the point which was first stimulated. At this movement the cells of the recovered portion are again in the polarized state and their surface is electrically positive in relation to the surface of the still excited cells. The differences in the electrical potential are therefore of the opposite direction from those during the spread of excitation. The current will therefore flow from the already recovered to the still excited portion of the muscle strip.

When subsequently the whole strip has recovered all the cells are again in the resting [polarized] state. The electrical potential at all points being the same, no current will flow and the needle will return to zero.

Thus the excitation and subsequent recovery of the muscles stripe have given rise to two electrical currents or deflections of opposite directions. The current of the Repolarization [during recovery] are weaker and extend over a longer period of the time than those of the depolarization [during excitation]. Applying this to the electrical changes produced by the heart beats the same fundamental principle holds but with some modifications. This is because the hearty consists of a multitude of intercommunicating muscle fibers and had four chambers which are activated in sequence more complicated than the simple spread of excitation through a muscles strip.

Physiological Basis

The important characteristics of human heart include excitability, rhythmicity, conductivity, contractibility and distensibility. Excitability and contractility are the inherent properties of each cardiac cell. The excitation wave passes from cell to cell once stimulated at any point and the whole mass of cardiac cells behave as a syncitium. This is due to ionic flux of Potassium across the cell membrane maintained by Sodium+ Potassium+ ATPase whereby intracellular potassium is 30 times more than the exterior. Following excitation, the depolarization wave starts. If a microelectrode is placed inside a muscle fiber, it records an extreme rapid phase of depolarization lasting 1-2- msec and then becomes positive in comparison to exterior by 15-30 mV over a period of 6-15 msec. Thereafter there is a plateau of 100 msec followed by a Repolarization period. Upstroke of this action potential coincides with R wave of ECG, the plateau period with R-T segment and the Repolarization with T wave. Changes in concentration of Potassium and calcium and to less extent sodium have profound effect on excitability and contractility of heart. Magnesium and Strontium have some effect only when calcium concentration is low.

Depolarization wave in myocardial cells and cells of Purkinjee system is brought about by fast inward movement of sodium whereas in pacemaker cells of SA node and in proximal region of A-V node it is brought about by slow inward movement of calcium. Only under abnormal conditions, the fast inward current by sodium channel is often inhibited and depolarization is brought about by calcium channel.

Electrophysiology

Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. It involves measurement of the voltages changes or electric current flow on a wide variety of scales from single ion channel proteins to whole tissues like the heart. In neuroscience, it includes measurements of the electrical activity of neurons, and particularly action potential activity.



Action potential

An action potential is a wave of electrical discharges that travels along the membrane of a cell. Action potential carries fast internal massages between the tissues, and is an essential feature of animal life. They can be created by many types of body cells, but are used most extensively by the nervous system to send massages between nerve cells and from nerve cells to other body tissues such as muscles and glands.

Action potential is an essential carrier of the neural code. Their properties may constrain the sizes of evolving anatomies and enable centralized control and coordination of organs and tissues.

Signal transduction

In biology, signal transduction is any process by which a cell converts one kind of signal or stimulus into another. Process referred to as signal transduction often involve a sequence of biochemical reactions inside the cells, which are carried out by enzymes and linked through second messengers. Such processes take place in as little time as a millisecond or as long as a few seconds. Slower processes are rarely referred to as signal transduction.

In many transduction processes, an increasing number of enzymes and other molecules become engaged in the events that proceed from the initial stimulus. In such cases the chain of steps is referred to as a �signaling cascade� or a �second messenger pathway� and often results in a small stimulus eliciting a large response.

Membrane potential

Membrane potential [or transmembrane potential or transmembrane potential difference or transmembrane potential gradient] , is the electrical potential difference [voltage] across a cell�s plasma membrane. In membrane biophysics it is sometime used interchangeably with cell potential, but is applicable to any lipid bilayer or membrane. Hence every organelle and every membranous compartment [such as a synthetic vesicle] has a transmembrane potential [although the size of this potential may be zero].

Electrolyte

An electrolyte is a substance that dissociate into free ions when dissolved [or molten], to produce an electrically conductive medium. Because they generally consist of ions in solution, electrolytes are also known as ionic solutions. They are sometimes referred to in abbreviated jargon or lytes.

Electrolytes generally exist as acids, bases or salts. Furthermore, some gases may act as electrolytes under conditions of high temperature or low pressure. An electrolyte may be described as concentrated if it has a high concentration of ions or dilute a low concentration of ions. If a high proportion of the dissolved solute dissociates to form free ions, the solution is strong; if most of the dissolved solute dose not dissociate, the solution is weak. The properties of electrolytes may be exploited via electrolysis to extract constituent elements ad compounds contained within the solution.


NOVEL ELEMENT:

Unique features of the innovation

1. Ayurvedic physician observes Tridosha by touching Radial pulse. It is solely depend upon the knowledge, experience and mental capability of Physician, to which level and unto what extent, the physician estimate the status of the Tridosha level of a sick person. It is very difficult for another Ayurvedic physician to know and experience similar and equal estimation of Tridosha, Dhatu, Mal, Agni, Oaj etc. observed by the earlier Ayurvedic physician. By using ETG technology, Dosha-Dhatu-Mal-Agni-Oaj is recorded on heat sensitive white paper strip. Earlier the recording was performed on the ECG papers. But due to graphical print on the paper tracings minute details can not be well observed. Therefore white sensitive paper is used for recording. Now Tridosha etc Quantification is possible by any Ayurvedic Physician, who has knowledge of interpreting ETG.

2. Ayurvedic physician can estimate and measure the level of Tridosha i.e. Vata, Pitta and Kaphha or its combination, Sapta Dhatu and Tridosha affected Sapta Dhatu etc. in sick person and can conclude, which Dosha-Dhatu-Mal-Agni etc is normal, below normal or above normal. By this the physician can choose Branghan or Shaman treatment accordingly to Dosha etc

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3. Apart from Tridosha, ETG can help in diagnosis of various human body disorders and disease conditions, which no other modern diagnosis gadgets could detects. By this technology physician can observe which part of body is damaging, the tendency of disease.
4. When patient recovers health, significant changes are observed in ETG after treatment. Ayurvedic physician can monitor patient health improvement and progress time to time and evaluate his treatment�s effects.

5. ETG is differed to ECG. ECG is for the diagnosis of cardiac problems only, while ETG is for diagnosis of Tridosha, Sapta-Dhatus, Mal and whole body scanning etc. The lead system, heat sensitive paper is totally changed and only a part of the ECG machine is used.

6. Treatment can be ascertained after analysis of Vata five kinds, Pitta five kinds, Kaphha five kinds, because ETG analysis gives which Dosha is Normal, Less normal, Minimum or above normal or maximum. The intensity of Dosha, Dosha kinds, Sapta Dhatus and Mal etc thus shown, helps the clinician to make a plane for treatment.


7. Most of the Tridosha-kinds have no proper medication for particular area i.e. for Kaphha kinds Shleshman, Tarpan, Kledan, Snehan, Avalamban have no particular medicine for the treatment purposes specifically. No special medicine has been developed for the specific Tridosha, Sapta Dhatu and Mal disorders. With this technology medicine can be sorted and categorized for the particular and special nature of diseases or ailments.

8. Effects of medicine, herbs, minerals, animal products, prepared medicine which have been characterized with their specific uses, narrated classically in Ayurveda Ethics can be examined and evaluated by this technology successfully.














9. The scope of ELECTRO-TRIDOSHA-GRAM Technology is very brilliant at present and in Future. No-other technology is in existence to quantify the TRIDOSHA status on paper. This is for the first time, the Tridosha status in human body is quantified by this technology. Apart from Tridosha as a whole, each five kinds of Tridosha humors, Sapta Dhatu, Agni, Mal and Oaj are quantified according to their intensities persisting in human body. The intensities of the Doshas can be shown in their presence, percentages and in graphical forms. Dosha-Dhatu-Agni-Mal-Oaj etc are shown and produced in report form.


10. This technology will open a new gateway of the evaluation of the Ayurveda Tridosha, Dhatus, Mal and the Ayurvedic Drugs, Herbs, Mineral and other medicines. The effects of the medicine in human body can be assessed by this HI-TECH technology.


11. The diagnosis of several disease conditions, which are by no other ways possible to detect, is now possible by this technology, because it scans electrically whole body organs. After scanning by this technique, the sick parts can be observed or the sectors, where normal or abnormal tracings are found, detect the sick areas.


12. Ayurvedic graduates can do their Post-graduate in this subject and they can open their investigation center to help the clinician by obtaining reports on Tridosha etc. Before start of Ayurvedic treatment , During treatment , before PANCHAKARMA and after panchakarma the ETG report will show the progress of the treatment


13. During research work on this technology, I have founded many unusual, peculiar, uncommon, rare, strange waves in the recorded tracings, which are yet to be analyzed. Very importantly, it is suggested that electrical behavior of the Astronauts should be observed in Space shuttle and in Space station during their stay in Space.


14. The technology is equally useful for all Doctors and Physicians belongs to any method of clinical practices i.e. Modern western medicines, Unani, Siddha, Homoeopathy, Nature-cure, Yoga, Acupuncture, Acupressure, Physiotherapy, Magnet therapy, Aromatherapy, Tibetan medicine, Chines Medicine, Herbal Treatment, Korean medicine etc.

15. Those who will adopt this technology, they will find more ways of its use, which are unseen in future. But this is a prime fact that Ayurveda science will be benefitted much more.

16- The quality of heat sensitive paper is very perishable in nature. Paper can not be retained safe and preserve for a very long period. It is observed that within six to one-year time, the paper destroyed/ fade its tracings and color. Recorded tracings cannot be saved well after this period. Therefore a computerized data collection and storage system should be developed and provided for saving and collection of the acquired data for future reference purposes and to make a library of data/tracings for academic and future uses.

17- ELECTRO-TRIDOSHA-GRAM/graph is taken with the help of Electro-cardiograph machine. Obviously and mentally it looks bad that ECG machine is used for some other purposes. Therefore a separate indigenous machine especially for the ELECTRO-TRIDOSHA-GRAM/GRAPH recording purpose, should be designed, fabricated and developed to register twenty-one sectors excluding SOS sectors. SOS sectors are those sectors where patient located his main complaints.

18- The construction of the ETG machine should be done in the way of complete computerization. The machine should be facilitating to record all twenty-one tracings simultaneously excluding SOS sectors. After recording the data, analysis and final report should be produced with the results automatically in printed and graphical forms etc. The machine should have capacity to store atleast 50 case histories with data and tracing records.

19- For establishing more scientific and accurate results from ETG tracings, research and development of this technology will be a continuous feature. For the same, a well-equipped laboratory is must, where Pathological investigations, Ultrasound, X-ray, EEG, Oximeter and other scanning facilities should be available for counter checking of the ETG findings.

20- Doctors and student of Ayurveda should brought forward to study the technique, to experience the concept, to develop technology and to do research in MAULIK SIDDHANT, HERBAL-MINERAL-ANIMAL DRAVYA GUN, TESTING OF AYURVEDIC MEDICINES AND REMEDIES, EFFECTS OF PANCHAKARMA etc in human body.