Thermal Characteristics Analysis of Moxibustion Apparatus Capable of Controlling Temperature by Applying RS485 Communication

This paper is based on a previous study on the temperature characteristics of thermal moxibustion for clinical trials. Moxa is one of Korea's traditional medical therapies, using thermal and chemical stimulations to cure and prevent diseases. Moxibustion is used by burning a pellet-like moxa cone put on the meridian and affected regions of the body, and the heat and products generated by burning triggers stimulations for treatment. As the previous study was about the quantification of traditional moxa cautery, this study developed a moxibustion apparatus for application to the experimental animal. The developed moxibustion apparatus enabled constant uniform heating by passing the temperature data of heater read through the K-type sensor to MCU by using RS485 communication. As a result, it was found that the temperature of the heater used in a moxibustion apparatus is 120°C; the uniform heat is passed in treatment temperature. It was also found that adjusting the duty rate can help pass the heat of various patterns.