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

IntroductionIn 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).MethodTo 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_Vmax), 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsThe 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.