ISO 23961-1:2021

Overview

ISO 23961-1:2021 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) under Technical Committee ISO/TC 249, focusing on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). This first edition specifies a standardized vocabulary and classification system for tongue diagnostic methods, vital in TCM diagnostics. The document includes English names, classical Chinese characters, and clear definitions of tongue-related diagnostic terms, establishing a global language for practitioners, researchers, and manufacturers of diagnostic devices.

Standardized terminology for tongue diagnosis enhances universal understanding and interoperability, especially with the rising adoption of TCM worldwide. It supports precision in communication among TCM scholars, healthcare providers, and artificial intelligence applications involved in TCM diagnostics.

Key Topics

• Tongue Diagnosis Terminology: Defines essential terms describing the tongue's body, coating, color, shape, and motility, ensuring consistency in diagnostic language.
• Tongue Body Terms: Includes classifications such as tongue spirit (vitality and flexibility), different tongue colors (light-red, pale, red, dark-red, blue-purple), and tongue shapes (tough, tender, enlarged, thin, with spots or cracks, teeth marks).
• Tongue Coating Vocabulary: Although described in the full series, Part 1 focuses primarily on tongue body and related diagnostics.
• Diagnostic Classification Structure: Depicted in the standard, guiding practitioners in categorizing tongue features consistently.
• Examples and Visual Aids: Annex A provides typical tongue images to support the accurate identification of terms. Annex B compares terminology in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters, facilitating international academic exchange.

Applications

• Traditional Chinese Medicine Practice: Serves as a foundational resource for standardized tongue examination, improving diagnosis accuracy and effectiveness.
• Medical Device Development: Provides a consistent vocabulary that manufacturers of tongue diagnostic instruments and AI diagnostic tools can adopt, enhancing device compatibility and data exchange.
• Research and Education: Facilitates comparative research and educational curricula in TCM by providing clear, internationally recognized definitions.
• International Trade and Communication: Promotes seamless communication and standard compliance in the development and commercialization of TCM diagnostic products across different countries.
• Artificial Intelligence in Medicine: Supports AI algorithms requiring precise and standardized input data for accurate TCM tongue diagnosis and patient evaluation.

Related Standards

• ISO 23961 Series: Other parts of this series extend the vocabulary to additional diagnostic methods in traditional Chinese medicine, complementing tongue diagnosis.
• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards: Collaborative standards related to diagnostic equipment and electronic health data interoperability.
• ISO/IEC Directives: Editorial and procedural rules guiding the development of this standard, ensuring clarity and global acceptance.
• National and Regional TCM Standards: ISO 23961-1 supports harmonization with existing local standards in countries where TCM has legal recognition, such as the United States, Singapore, Australia, and Thailand.

Keywords: ISO 23961-1, traditional Chinese medicine, TCM vocabulary, tongue diagnosis, tongue diagnostic methods, standardized terminology, TCM diagnostic devices, artificial intelligence in medicine, international TCM standards, tongue body classification, tongue color, tongue shape, medical diagnostics, international standards for TCM.