ISO 16843-1:2025

Overview

ISO 16843-1:2025 - Health informatics - Categorial structures for representation of acupuncture - Part 1: Acupuncture points - defines a standardized categorial structure for representing acupuncture points in health information systems. The standard specifies domain constraints made up of semantic links and applicable characterizing categories to represent the concept of an acupuncture point consistently across medical systems (e.g., TCM, Ayurveda, auricular systems). This first edition replaces ISO/TS 16843-1:2016 and harmonizes key categories to support terminology, data exchange and interoperability.

Key topics and technical scope

• Categorial structure: defines how characteristics are modeled as sanctioned domain constraints (semantic link + characterizing category).
• Semantic links included in the document: identifies, locates, is_located_at, plus additional links such as is_characterized_by.
• Terms and definitions: precise definitions for core concepts used in representation, for example:
  • stimulation, acupuncture, acupuncture point, named/anonymous points
  • anatomical landmark, measuring system, detecting technique
  • stereotactic restriction, approach, anatomy of acupuncture point
  • designation of point, applicable therapy, life force and life force specifics
• Purpose & constraints: establishes minimum elements for descriptiveness, exchangeability, accountability, reproducibility and verification when representing acupuncture points across differing medical systems.
• Harmonization goal: reduces synonymy and polysemy to enable reliable terminologies, mapping and data processing.

Applications and practical value

• Enables consistent representation of acupuncture points in electronic health records (EHRs) and clinical databases.
• Supports development of terminology systems, ontologies and code mappings across traditional and modern medical systems.
• Facilitates clinical research and meta-analysis by harmonizing point definitions and locations for aggregated trial data.
• Improves interoperability for health information exchange, public health reporting and WHO/statistical data collection involving traditional medicine.
• Useful for vendors of clinical software, digital repositories of acupuncture knowledge, and developers of decision support or acupuncture training applications.

Who should use this standard

• Health informatics specialists, terminology and ontology developers
• EHR and clinical system vendors integrating traditional medicine data
• Researchers conducting acupuncture trials and systematic reviews
• National standards bodies, policy makers and public health agencies
• Professional bodies and educators in acupuncture and traditional medicine

Related standards

• Part of the ISO 16843 series and prepared by ISO/TC 215 (Health informatics). This edition supersedes ISO/TS 16843-1:2016 and is intended to be used alongside national terminology resources and WHO terminological datasets for acupuncture.