ISO 23961-2:2021

Overview

ISO 23961-2:2021 - Traditional Chinese medicine - Vocabulary for diagnostics - Part 2: Pulse defines standardized terminology for TCM pulse diagnosis. The document specifies the basic vocabulary for pulse diagnostic methods, the key elements of pulse and pulse conditions. Each term is presented with its English name, classical Chinese characters and a concise definition, enabling consistent use across clinical practice, device development and research.

Key Topics

• Scope and structure
  • Terminology covering pulse diagnostic locations (cun/guan/chi), methods, key pulse elements and named pulse conditions.
  • Includes an informative Annex A with Chinese, Japanese and Korean characters and a bibliography.
• Methods of pulse diagnosis
  • Terms such as arrangement of fingers, individual-finger palpation, simultaneous palpation with three fingers, lifting, pressing, and searching are defined to standardize examination technique.
• Key elements of pulse
  • Standardized descriptors for pulse location, rate, length, strength, width, smoothness, tension and evenness and a classification structure that explains how combinations produce compound pulse types.
• Pulse conditions
  • Definitions for classical pulse types (examples in the standard include bound pulse, dissipated pulse, drumskin pulse, faint pulse, fine pulse, firm pulse, floating pulse, hidden pulse, etc.) with historical citations and notes.
• Supporting visuals and references
  • Figures (e.g., location of cun/guan/chi) and extensive notes referencing classical TCM texts support accurate interpretation.

Applications

• Standardizes terminology for TCM education, clinical documentation and cross-border communication.
• Enables consistent specifications for pulse diagnostic instruments and pulse-equipment used in international trade.
• Supports integration with digital health, AI medicine and internet-based diagnostic systems by providing machine-readable, harmonized vocabulary for TCM pulse data.
• Useful for device manufacturers, clinical researchers, regulatory bodies and translators who require unambiguous TCM pulse definitions.

Who should use this standard

• TCM practitioners and educators
• Medical device and sensor manufacturers (pulse diagnostic devices)
• Researchers in TCM, biomedical engineering and AI health
• Health regulators, standards bodies and curriculum developers
• Clinical translators/localizers working with TCM materials

Related standards and resources

• Prepared by ISO/TC 249 (Traditional Chinese medicine); other parts of the ISO 23961 series provide complementary diagnostic vocabularies.
• ISO Online Browsing Platform (OBP) is the reference point for accessing the standard and related ISO terminologies.

Keywords: ISO 23961-2:2021, Traditional Chinese medicine, pulse diagnosis terminology, TCM pulse diagnostic instruments, pulse-equipment, AI medicine, pulse condition.