Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (9): 1834-1840.doi: 10.12307/2025.149

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Development and application of a three-dimensional digital visualization system for children’s neck acupoints

Ao Xiaojing1, Li Kun2, Liu Yuhang3, Yang Xiaoxuan4, Wang Xing5, Li Zhijun2, Ren Xiaoyan6, Zhang Shaojie2   

  1. 1College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 2Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 3Graduate School of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010000, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 4Inner Mongolia Chudian Digital Technology Co., Ltd., Hohhot 010020, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 5Digital Medicine Center of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China; 6Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China 
  • Received:2023-12-25 Accepted:2024-03-09 Online:2025-03-28 Published:2024-10-10
  • Contact: Zhang Shaojie, Professor, Master’s supervisor, Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Ren Xiaoyan, Associate chief physician, Department of Endocrinology, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010059, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Ao Xiaojing, Associate professor, College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Li Kun, Lecturer, Department of Anatomy, School of Basic Medicine, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China Ao Xiaojing and Li Kun contributed equally to this article.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82360892 (to ZSJ); Inner Mongolia Department of Education Science and Technology Leading Talent and Innovation Team Construction Project, No. NMGIRT2307 (to ZSJ); Key Campus Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2022ZD007 (to ZSJ); Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Health Science and Technology Plan Project, No. 202201219 (to ZSJ); Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Health Science and Technology Plan Project, No. 202202138 (to AXJ); General Project of Inner Mongolia Medical University, No. YKD2023MS088 (to AXJ); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81860383 (to LZJ); Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation, No. 2020LH08021 (to LZJ); National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 81860382 (to WX); Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation, No. 2020 mS03061 (to WX); Inner Mongolia Natural Science Foundation, No. 2022QN03002 (to LK) 

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Currently, there have been studies on three-dimensional digitalization and visualization systems for adult acupoints, but there are not many reports on the visualization of pediatric acupoints based on real pediatric digital sectional anatomical datasets. 
OBJECTIVE: To design and develop a digital three-dimensional visualization system for children’s neck acupoints, to provide a basis for acupuncture and moxibustion, meridian and acupoint science teaching, clinical practice, acupuncture manipulation practice, and acupuncture safety research, and to provide a basis for the development of children’s acupoint simulation system.
METHODS: Based on a real cross-sectional anatomical dataset of pre-school boys, a three-dimensional digital virtual anatomical model of the neck region of children and internal multi-organ three-dimensional reconstruction were completed using PhotoShop 2021 and Digihuman Reconstruction System software. A database of 11 acupoints was compiled, including Fengfu and Fengchi, using the Unity database language. A three-dimensional model of children’s neck anatomy, acupoint database, and writing acupuncture operation codes were integrated in Unity3D software. A three-dimensional digital visualization system for children’s neck acupoints was successfully created, which integrated simulation acupoint positioning, three-dimensional acupoint anatomy, acupuncture training, clinical teaching, and acupuncture safety research.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) This study was based on real child specimens. Manual layer by layer segmentation of cross-sectional images was used to ensure the accuracy of the three-dimensional model to the greatest extent possible. The 3D software Digihuman Reconstruction System was utilized to extract and save independent segmentation data. PhotoShop 2021 software was collaborated with to complete dozens of three-dimensional reconstruction anatomical models of the outer skin of the neck and its internal bone structure, cervical spinal cord, blood vessels and nerves, muscles, and ligaments in children. The basic morphology and overall contour integrity verification of each independent structure were completed in MeshLab software. The 3-material research 13.0 software was applied for final fine tuning and anatomical position confirmation, successfully simulating and restoring the true anatomical morphology of the neck of preschool children. (2) Based on and referring to the national standards of the People’s Republic of China, a database of commonly used acupoints in children’s neck region was collected and organized, including their names, meridians, positioning, local anatomy, needle insertion levels, acupuncture methods, acupuncture accidents and prevention, acupoint indications, and two-dimensional anatomical sectional images. (3) Unity3D software was employed to integrate the three-dimensional model of children’s neck, acupuncture simulation operation, and acupoint database, and a three-dimensional digital children’s neck acupoint acupuncture visualization system was successfully constructed. The system displayed information on children’s neck acupoints, two-dimensional and three-dimensional anatomical structures, and achieved two-dimensional and three-dimensional acupuncture simulation functions and acupuncture safety research functions for children’s neck acupoints. Based on the ultra-thin sectional anatomical dataset of real child specimens, the first three-dimensional digital and visualization system for acupoints in the neck region of children had been constructed. Compared with previous acupoint acupuncture systems, it is more in line with the anatomical and morphological development characteristics of Asian children and has high application value in the fields of acupuncture safety research, clinical teaching, and acupuncture simulation training.


中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：人工关节；骨植入物；脊柱；骨折；内固定；数字化骨科；组织工程

Key words: acupoints, three-dimensional visualization, sectional anatomy, simulation system, children 

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