[Historical evolution of fire needle device and its application characteristics].

This paper provides the historical evolution of fire needle device and summarizes its application characteristics. Cauterized needling is the origin of fire needling technique. The fire needling technique is developed from "cauterized needling and warm compressing with herbal medicine" to "medicinal fire-needling" and "sulfur fire needling" in later generations. The needles used in cauterized needling are derived from nine ancient needles, such as filiform needle, sharp-edged needle and round-sharp needle, which is developed to be different forms, named, single-tip needle, three-edged needle and flat-tip needle. Armature, wrought iron, firecracker iron and silver comb had been used as materials in ancient time; and in modern time, the needles are made from stainless steel and tungsten-based high density cemented carbide to meet the requirements of high-temperature operation of fire needle. These devices used in fire needling technique have strengthened the therapeutic effect of cauterized needling, and obtained the unique clinical effect, such as inducing sweat to remove exterior syndrome, dispelling exogenous pathogens, removing blood stasis and cutting off the foci by cauterization. It is suggested that the standardization and innovation of acupuncture needle is important to promote its application and expansion.