HA NOI — An acupuncture instrument using a laser diode controlled by a
semi-conductor chip, developed by Associate Professor Vu Doan Mien from
the Viet Nam Institute of Science and Technology and colleagues from the
Ministry of Science and Technology, was introduced at the recent sixth
national physics conference.

The instrument's beam passes through four optic fibres and is used in
place of acupuncture needles.

The instrument causes no pain to patients and helps avoid the spread of
infectious diseases, e.g., HIV. The instrument will be used experimentally
at the Ba Vi Drug Detoxification Centre in the northern province of Ha Tay.