The world’s first expert diagnostic system, based on the four basic diagnostic methods of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been developed in Shanghai, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine has announced.

A prototype is undergoing tests and is expected to go into clinical verification next year. It was first demonstrated at the 2008 China International Industry Fair.

The new system takes TCM’s four diagnostic methods – inspection, olfaction, inquiry and palpation – into the digital age.

The system is able to form an overall diagnosis by analyzing and combining the results, complexion inspection, tongue inspection and palpation.

The new system consists of a computer, a pulse sensor and an image acquisition device.

When checking the pulse, a doctor will place two pressure sensors on the patient’s wrist for about one minute. After the imaging device has taken complexion and tongue pictures, all the data will be stored in the computer as reference.

The conclusions made by the new system are about 80 percent accuracy, and it is not intended to replace humans. It will, however, provide a reference point for doctors and help them make more accurate diagnoses. It may also help Western-trained doctors dispense Chinese medicine.

During tests, several TCM experts will check the accuracy of the new system and then carry out any necessary debugging.

(China.org.cn by Wu Huanshu November 8, 2008)