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Abstract

A method and an apparatus are disclosed for simulating the wrist pulse patterns to be used for teaching and practicing pulse diagnostic techniques in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other alternative medicines. The method represents the wrist pulse patterns and artery responses by use of six characteristic qualities: width, depth, strength, rhythm, length, and propagation. One embodiment of the invention uses a processor to drive three solenoids. The three plungers of the solenoids produce time-varying forces that simulate the wrist pulse waves felt by the user's fingers when evaluating pulse patterns in humans or animals. Via a force sensor, the processor detects the compression force from the palpating fingers and classifies said force into one of the three ranges (shallow, middle, and deep). A purity of pulse waveforms representing the various pulse patterns defined in TCM are pre-programmed into the processor in terms of their characteristic qualities and compression forces. The width of the artery is represented by either a width-adjustable plunger head or a multi-lumen tube placed on top of the plungers. Once the user selects a specific pulse pattern, the device continuously generates the pulse waveforms that change dynamically in response to the compression force.

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First Claim