New Assessment Model of Pulse Depth Based on Sensor Displacement in Pulse Diagnostic Devices

Abstract

An accurate assessment of the pulse depth in pulse diagnosis is vital to determine the floating and sunken pulse qualities (PQs), which are two of the four most basic PQs. In this work, we proposed a novel model of assessing the pulse depth based on sensor displacement (SD) normal to the skin surface and compared this model with two previous models which assessed the pulse depth using contact pressure (CP). In contrast to conventional stepwise CP variation tonometry, we applied a continuously evolving tonometric mechanism at a constant velocity and defined the pulse depth index as the optimal SD where the largest pulse amplitude was observed. By calculating the pulse depth index for 18 volunteers, we showed that the pulse was deepest at Cheok (significance level: P < 0.01), while no significant difference was found between Chon and Gwan. In contrast, the two CP-based models estimated that the pulse was shallowest at Gwan (P < 0.05). For the repeated measures, the new SD-based model showed a smaller coefficient of variation (CV ≈ 7.6%) than the two CP-based models (CV ≈ 13.5% and 12.3%, resp.). The SD-based pulse depth assessment is not sensitive to the complex geometry around the palpation locations and temperature variation of contact sensors, which allows cost-effective sensor technology.

Differences in the Properties of the Radial Artery betweenCun,Guan,Chi, and Nearby Segments Using Ultrasonographic Imaging: A Pilot Study on Arterial Depth, Diameter, and Blood Flow

“…A shallow-lying artery that is firmly supported by the prominent bone and ligament characterizes the three PLs regions; however, the bulge of the prominent bone should not be confused with the nearby styloid process [ 4 ]. To determine the palpation locations, a practitioner places his/her middle finger on the prominent bone and sequentially lines up the index and ring fingers on the radial artery [ 1 , 4 ]. Guan is located just below the middle finger, Cun below the index finger, and Chi beneath the ring finger.…”

Association of hypertension with physical factors of wrist pulse waves using a computational approach: a pilot study

“…The time and frequency domains are often used to study diseases in both Western and Oriental medicine [ 2 ]. The physical factors of pulse waves in the time and frequency domains have been strongly associated with certain diseases and components such as depth, width, strength, length, smoothness, and stiffness in TCM [ 2 , 9 , 16 – 19 ]. Recent studies have sought to identify scientific evidence of wrist pulse patterns and disease using computational approaches [ 5 , 7 , 10 , 20 , 21 ].…”

Quantitative Comparison of the Performance of Piezoresistive, Piezoelectric, Acceleration, and Optical Pulse Wave Sensors

“…The PESG is used in the quantitative analysis of pulse characteristics and can investigate changes in the shape of the pulse waves under varying contact pressure (Luo et al, 2012;Bae et al, 2013;Chu et al, 2014), while the contact force exerted by the other sensors can only be assessed subjectively by the operator.…”