Development of pulse diagnostic devices in Korea

Abstract

In Korean medicine, pulse diagnosis is one of the important methods for determining the health status of a patient. For over 40 years, electromechanical pulse diagnostic devices have been developed to objectify and quantify pulse diagnoses. In this paper, we review previous research and development for pulse diagnostic devices according to various fields of study: demand analysis and current phase, literature studies, sensors, actuators, systems, physical quantity studies, clinical studies, and the U-health system. We point out some confusing issues that have been naively accepted without strict verification: original pressure pulse waveform and derivative pressure pulse waveform, pressure signals and other signal types, and minutely controlled pressure exertion issues. We then consider some technical and clinical issues to achieve the development of a pulse diagnostic device that is appropriate both technically and in terms of Korean medicine. We hope to show the history of pulse diagnostic device research in Korea and propose a proper method to research and develop these devices.

Pulse Wave Harmony: Ancient Wisdoms for Modern Age

“…Transformation (8) and Stability (12). The inclusion criteria were as follows: Healthy subjects, having a relation with the Institute Lama Tzong Khapa and/or living in the residential area close by, and willing to be enrolled for the entire duration of this study.…”

“…Nowadays digital pulse wave reading technologies are quickly evolving both in terms of miniaturization and accuracy. Especially due to the large work done by Chinese [9][10][11] and Korean [12] research centres.…”

Electret condenser microphone as a traditional Chinese medicine arterial pulse sensor

“…Researchers around the world have been proposed different kinds of sensor to detect the pulse such as piezoelectric devices [1], strain gauges [2], [3], condenser microphones [4], etc. In our previous work, a strain gauge model 318 L SS model 86 as a heartbeat sensor.…”

A multipoint thin film polymer pressure/force sensor to visualize traditional medicine palpations

“…Many pulse sensors have been developed, including the strain gauge, capacitive, piezoelectric, optical, magnetic transducers, and so on [2][3][4][5][6][7]. Despite their differences in working principles, these sensors usually can be categorized into four types.…”

“…The first is a contact pressure/force sensor, directly detecting pressure /force changes resulted from artery vibration (pulsation); the second is a photoelectric sensor, deriving pulse waveform corresponding to vessel volume changes; the third is a sound conducting apparatus, converting pulse vibrations into sound waves for detection; and the fourth uses the Doppler ultrasound detection technique, picking up the pulse waveform from the detected periodic changes of the artery transverse displacement. The pulse sensing based on pressure/force measurement corresponds with the pulse-taking method in traditional medicine and can almost completely collect the analog pulse information for traditional pulse diagnosis [2][3][4][5][6][7]. The reported sensors except the strain gauge and capacitive pressure/force sensor detect the derivative of the pressure/force pulse and cannot completely reflect the original artery vibration information.…”