Development of wearable measurement system for abdominal palpation

Eastern medicine aims to prevent diseases. Some acupuncture approaches can help to regulate the bowels and thus maintain healthy bodily functions. Along with the development of treatment methodology, upper abdominal palpation has been applied to confirm movement of the digestive tract. The present study evaluated the relationship between effective regulation of the bowel (ROB) and upper abdominal suppleness. We developed a novel system to acquire information about abdominal reactive force and the depth of skin indentation achieved using a finger that precludes the need for extra measurement protocols. The wearable system comprises a sensor unit consisting of a single axis load cell, a magnetic position sensor and a resin housing to fit the palpating finger. Data were then acquired from a male volunteer over 6 days within a period of 2 months. Trends in abdominal palpation data were determined and the results of palpation at three abdominal points indicated that the relationship between maximal pressure position and the reactive force of abdominal wall represents the proportional relationship without a viscosity effect. The perception of hardness enables practitioners to subjectively diagnose the status of a digestive system using abdominal palpation and can serve as a useful index with which to objectively understand a healthy digestion, which is required for preventive healthcare.