Using an array sensor to determine differences in pulse diagnosis-Three positions and nine indicators

Introduction: In pulse diagnosis, three positions (Cun, Guan, Chi) and three levels or depths (Fu, Zhong, Chen), called the Three Positions and Nine Indicators (TPNI) are generally used as a finger-reading method, to obtain a holistic view of the patient. However, single pulse signals at nine TPNI locations (three depths at three positions) look quite similar in a waveform. Hence, the aim of this study was to determine if there was a significant difference between pulse-taking depths (Fu, Zhong, and Chen) and pulse-taking positions (Cun, Guan, and Chi). Method: To explore the significance of array pulses at the nine TPNI locations, a Bi-Sensing Pulse Diagnosis Instrument (BSPDI) with array sensors was used to measure wrist artery pulse signals. It was proposed that a three-dimensional pulse mapping (3DPM) could present array pulses mimicking the fingertips' sensations of a physician. Four parameters, namely peak value (P_V-max), power (P_P), ascending slope (P_AS), and descending slope (P_DS) were elucidated from 3DPM using a two-way analysis of variance. Eight volunteers with TPNI health rule of thumb from the R.O.C. Air Force Academy participated in this research. Results: The variance of four parameters at nine TPNI locations all reached the level of significance (p < 0.05). Paired comparison between positions or depths nearly reached significance. Conclusions: The differences in wrist artery signals exist between TPNI locations. TPNI pulse diagnosis could be used to check the holistic health of a patient as determined by TCM. (C) 2014 Elsevier GmbH.