Tele Pulse Taker

8/17/2019 Tele Pulse Taker

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Project Proposal

Division of Biomedical Engineering,

Department of Electronic Engineering,

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Fung King Lok Ronald 1155016356

Ho Lok Wai Cola 1155016113

Wong Siu Yee Suye 1155016039

ELTU1111Technical Communications (2012-13)

7th December, 2012

An innovative product for the Creative Design Contest

Tele-Pulse Taker Prevention Prevails over Cure


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Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ...................................................................................................................... 4

ABSTRACT ......................................................................................................................................... 5 LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................ 6

LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................... 7

TERMINOLOGY ................................................................................................................................. 8

1. BACKGROUND............................................................................................................................... 9

1.1 PROBLEM IDENTIFIED ................................................................................................................... 9 1.2 TARGET USERS ......................................................................................................................... 10 1.3 OUR DESIGN ............................................................................................................................. 10

1.3.1 Basic Concepts of Chinese Medicine Pulse-Taking Techniques ................................... 10 1.3.2 The Relation between th e Pulse Waveform and Possible Diseases ............................ 10 1.3.3 Operation of Our Design ............................................................................................... 11

1.4 CURRENT STATE OF ART ............................................................................................................. 11 1.4.1 Mobile Monitoring System Based on Tradition Chinese Medicine .............................. 11 1.4.2 Developing Classification Indices for Chinese Pulse Diagnosis ................................... 12 1.4.3 eZ430-Chronos Development Tool ............................................................................... 12

2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................. 13

2.1 IN THE SHORT RUN .................................................................................................................... 13 2.2 IN THE LONG RUN ..................................................................................................................... 13

3. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCT ....................................................................................................... 14

3.1 OVERVIEW OF DESIGN ................................................................................................................ 14

3.2 PART-BY-PART DESCRIPTION ....................................................................................................... 15 3.2.1 Cuffs .............................................................................................................................. 15 3.2.2 Sensors .......................................................................................................................... 15 3.2.3 LEDs ............................................................................................................................... 15 3.2.4 Microprocessor ............................................................................................................. 15 3.2.5 Wireless Module ........................................................................................................... 16

4. BENEFITS OF PRODUCT .............................................................................................................. 17

4.1 INDIVIDUAL .............................................................................................................................. 17 4.2 SOCIETY ................................................................................................................................... 17 4.3 WORLDWIDE ............................................................................................................................ 18

5. FEASIBILITY STUDY ..................................................................................................................... 19

5.1 NEEDS ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................................... 19 5.1.1 Survey ........................................................................................................................... 19

5.1.1.1 Survey Design ...................................................................................................................... 19 5.1.1.2 Analysis of the Results ........................................................................................................ 20

5.1.2 Research by Other parties ............................................................................................ 21 5.1.2.1 World Health Organization (WHO) ...................................................................................... 21 5.1.2.2 Hong Kong Ideas Centre ...................................................................................................... 21

6. LIFE SPAN .................................................................................................................................... 23

6.1 LIFE SPAN OF CUFF AND NATURAL RUBBER ................................................................................... 23 6.2 LIFE SPAN OF MICROPROCESSOR ................................................................................................. 23 6.3 LIFE SPAN OF PIEZOELECTRICSENSOR .......................................................................................... 23 6.4 LIFE SPAN OF BATTERY .............................................................................................................. 23 6.5 LIFE SPAN OF LEDS ................................................................................................................... 23


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7. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATION ...................................................................................................... 24

7.1 MATERIAL COST ........................................................................................................................ 24 7.2 MISCELLANEOUS COST ............................................................................................................... 24

8. IMPLEMENTATION PLAN ...................................................................................................... 25

8.1 TESTING ................................................................................................................................... 25 8.1.1 Steps .............................................................................................................................. 25 8.1.2 Collaboration .................................................................................................................. 26

8.2 ESTABLISHMENT ....................................................................................................................... 26 8.2.1 Target Group .................................................................................................................. 26 8.2.2 Promotion ...................................................................................................................... 27

8.2.2.1 Commercial Advertisement ................................................................................................... 27 8.2.2.2 Institute of Higher Education ................................................................................................. 27

8.2.3 Sales Channel ................................................................................................................. 27 8.2.4 Cooperation ................................................................................................................... 27

8.3 EVALUATION ............................................................................................................................ 28 8.4 FUTURE PLAN AND STEPPING FURTHER ........................................................................................ 28

8.4.1 Expectation Adjustment ................................................................................................. 28 8.4.2 Perfection of Product ..................................................................................................... 28 8.4.3 Enlarging market size ..................................................................................................... 28 8.4.4 Inspiration ...................................................................................................................... 29

9. CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................. 30

10. REFERENCE ............................................................................................................................... 31

11. APPENDICES .............................................................................................................................. 32

11.1 THE 13 CHINESE PULSE WAVEFORMS AND THEIR DESCRIPTION ....................................................... 33 11.2 QUESTIONNAIRE DESIGNED FOR NEEDS ANALYSIS ........................................................................ 35 11.3 RESULTS OF THE QUESTIONNAIRE............................................................................................... 36


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Abstract

Despite the common consent that “Prevention prevails over cure”, littlereally take action. The working force, especially, often attribute their lack of

personal health awareness to everyday heavy workload. It is often too late for

remedy when certain health problems deteriorate to a degree that would finally

catches the patient’s attention.

In view of this, our project aims at designing a convenient health-

monitoring portable device that combines advance medical technology and the

pulse-taking techniques of Chinese medicine to improve the health of today’s

busy Hong Kong people.

The scoop of this proposal consists of the description; feasibility study

and the implementation plan of the product.


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List of Tables

Pg. 24Table 1. A table showing the material cost per set of Tele-Pulse Taker

Pg. 24

Table 2. A table showing the miscellaneous cost per annum


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List of Figures

Pg. 9Fig. 1 Pie Chart Showing the Projected Main Causes of Death, Worldwide, All Ages,

2005

Pg. 14

Fig. 2 Flow Diagram of the Tele-Pulse Taking System

Pg. 25

Fig 3. A flow chart showing the stages in implementation


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Terminology

ADC: Analog to Digital ConverterLED: Light Emitting Diode

NCD: Non-communicable Disease


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1. Background

Well-educated citizens may all be aware of the importance of their personal

health but often reason their low regard to healthcare to lack of time and purenegligence. A portable healthcare product that serves to regularly monitor a

person’s body condition even at work would benefit today’s workforce.

1.1 Problem Identified

Hong Kong people, though well-educated, are usually ignorant and

unconscious about maintaining or protecting one’s health. This could be verified

by the survey conducted by the Centre for Health Protection which showed that

only a minority of Hong Kong citizens (17%) took medical checkup regularly. In

addition to the westernizing lifestyle of Hong Kong people, it is predictable itwould cause a menace to the health of Hong Kong people and result in a higher

mortality rate of chronic diseases in the future. Studies showed that by 2020, the

rank order of major disease burden would be dominated by chronic diseases in HK[1]

.

The financial burden was estimated to be around US$250 million.

More importantly, it is not a localized problem. According to the World

Health Organization (WHO), there is an increasing trend for non-communicable

diseases (NCDs) in the world [2]. As shown in Fig. 1, the estimated percentage of

death caused by NCDs (including cardiovascular diseases; cancer; chronic

respiratory diseases and diabetes) is about 61%. NCDs are often chronic diseaseswhich could be effectively cured if discovered early implying that they are all

preventable.

Fig. 1

Pie Chart Showing the Projected Main Causes of Death, Worldwide, All Ages, 2005 [3]


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Meanwhile, Western medical field focuses mainly on curing but provides

rather few resorts to prevention. In contrast, Chinese medicine, advocating “To

prevent illness from arising instead of curing the sick” since 2000 years ago,

would be the solution to the problem identified.

A portable device which monitors one’s health condition on a daily basisbasing on principles of Chinese medicine would be a perfect resort for people

who claim that they are too busy to take good care of their health.

1.2 Target Users

We target the age group of the users of our design from 20 to 60 years

old as most of them will reach or are at a working stage. They are those who are

most likely to neglect their body status due to their extraordinarily heavy

workload.

1.3 Our Design

The main focus of the Tele-Pulse Taker would be the combination of

principles of pulse-taking technique of Chinese medicine with advance medical

technology.

1.3.1 Basic Concepts of Chinese Medicine Pulse-Taking Techniques

Different from usual simple pulse rate measurement, Chinese medicine

practitioner would apply 3 levels of pressure using the ring, middle and index

finger on the radial artery at the wrist for pulse-taking. The 3 levels of pressure

are light force, moderate force and sufficient force which could sense the pulse

at different levels.

Our product would mimic this technique by varying the pressure of the

cuff and measure the pulse waveform using force sensors lining on the inner

surface of the cuff.

1.3.2 The Relation between the Pulse Waveform and Possible Diseases

The longstanding diagnostic method employed by Chinese medicine

practitioner suggests that different characteristics of the pulse waveforms

correlate to their corresponding clinical significance.

Appendix 11.1, adopted from a research which tried to develop

classification indices for Chinese pulses diagnosis[4]

, shows the 13 Chinesepulse waveforms and their descriptions.


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The pulse waveform is intimately related to health condition.

Possible chronic diseases could be diagnosed by the similar theory too. As

mentioned in a paper investigating the Chinese pulses , “Pathologic changes

of a person’s body condition are reflected in the wrist -pulse pictures. Clinical

studies demonstrate that patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease,

and diabetes, exhibit premature loss of arterial …... The wrist-pulse shape,amplitude, and rhythm are also altered in correspondence with the

hemodynamic characteristics of blood flow” [4].

To be precise, for instance, if a patient got both surging and rapid pulse

waveform, he is likely to possess heart problem.

1.3.3 Operation of Our Design

Our product is designed for detecting, storing and preliminarily analysingpulse patterns for healthcare purposes on a regular basis.

Operation of the machine comprises 3 stages, namely pulse taking,

preliminary analysis of result and result delivery. Pulse is signified by its cyclic

change in pressure. These pressure signals are sensed by the arrays of pressure

sensors in the cuffs and then digitalized. Digitalization refers to conversion of

the tactile pulsation into binary numbers that computer understands.

Since characteristic pulse pattern correlates to health condition, the

digitalized pulse pattern would be preliminarily analyzed and analogized tocommon pathological patterns based on its depth, strength, smoothness and

rhythm. The results can be sent to physician through wireless module whenever

necessary.

1.4 Current State of Art

There is no specially designed pulse taker for Chinese medicine in the

market for medical use yet. However, some similar researches of the related

topic are going on.

1.4.1 Mobile Monitoring System Based on Tradition Chinese Medicine[5]

The South China University of Technology is investigating on a

design of mobile monitoring system based on traditional Chinese medicine.

The scheme is set up by 5 sub-systems, namely, tele-video camera system,

tele-ausculating system, IP-phone system, tele-pulse-taking system and

Chinese medicine assistant diagnosis system. It is a complicated system and

is still in development and under research.


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1.4.2 Developing Classification Indices for Chinese Pulse Diagnosis[4]

A databank consisting of comprehensive pulse waveform patterns for

pulse diagnosis is required to assist and accomplish our design theory.

Related research about automated interpretation of Chinese pulse

waveform pattern has been going on. It is foreseeable that an extensivedatabank with fine classification indices could be introduced in the coming

years.

1.4.3 eZ430-Chronos Development Tool[6]

This is an integrated and wireless system which provides a platform

for the user to create wireless smart watch applications. It offers pulse rate;

temperature; battery voltage measurements as its fundamental features.

Furthermore, it has reprogrammable characteristics for custom wirelessapplications. Portable pulse rate measurement device has been highly

developed. Such technology would be applicable for the development of the

Tele-Pulse Taker.


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2. Project Objectives

2.1 In the Short Run

Our design would help to improve the health of the user and cure the

foreseeable disease as early as possible as it allows early diagnosis. It also helps to

enhance physician-patient relationship.

2.2 In the Long Run

A comprehensive medical history for individuals could be achieved. It is

hoped that the Tele-Pulse Taker would help to uphold Chinese Medicine’s standingin the international medical field.


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3. Description of Product

The Tele-Pulse Taker comprises only 1 main unit: the cuff. The detailoperation and principle of the system would be illustrated below.

3.1 Overview of Design

Fig. 2

Flow Diagram of the Tele-Pulse Taking System

A brief flow of the operating system is shown in Fig. 2.

The Tele-Pulse Taker measures the pulse with reference to Chinese medicine

pulse-taking methods. It applies 3 levels of pressure: light force; moderate force and

sufficient force on the radial artery at the wrist. The pulse taker would mimic the

technique by varying the pressure of the cuff and measure the pulse waveform using

piezoelectric sensors lining on the inner surface of the cuff.

The Tele-Pulse Taker also analyses some common pulse waveforms and then

determines the body condition of the user. Once abnormal waveform is identified,

the LED would light up and a brief health report on the possible health problem

would be sent to the user’s computer. The user shall then choose whether to

forward the waveform to the simulator of the doctor for further professional

analysis. Every record of the pulse pattern would be kept as reference for further

diagnosis in the future if necessary.

Microprocessor

ADCSensors

Wireless

module

LEDs

Tele-Pulse-taker’s cuff

Sever with

databank

Computer of

user

Simulator of

doctor


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3.2 Part-by-Part Description

3.2.1 Cuffs

Two cuffs are provided for pulse taking on both hands at the same time

on a regular basis. Pressure is applied by the cuff on the user’s wrists to detectpulse pattern once per 3 hours. Additional measurement would be taken 15

minutes after initial measurement should abnormal pattern denoting abnormal

body condition be detected, this is to double check the result and hence to

minimise diagnostic error.

The cuffs are made of natural rubber which is a water-proof material. It

protects the inner structure from mechanical damage and also prevents the

user from getting electric shock.

3.2.2 Sensors

Piezoelectric sensors are used to detect the pulse waveform. When

stress is applied on the crystal inside the sensors, electrical signals would be

produced. The electric signals generated would be proportional to the amount

of pressure sensed.

3.2.3 LEDs

When the pulse detected is abnormal, the red LED would light up to

remind the user to check the health report being sent to his/her computer.

The green LED would light after the user has correctly wears the cuff in

position to indicate the system has detected the pulse.

3.2.4 Microprocessor

The microprocessor regulates the magnetic field generated to give 3different degrees of hold-down pressure during pulse taking.

After the signals from the sensors are inputted into ADC, the

microprocessor would transfer the signals to the wireless module.

The microprocessor also lights up the LED under two conditions mentioned

above


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3.2.5 Wireless Module

The wireless module helps to transmit the data through a wireless network.

Data would be compared with that stored in the databank developed by the

Institute of Computing Technology of Chinese Academy of Sciences and

experimental research centre of Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciencein Beijing in 2011 [5]. Possible illness or disease would be analyzed.

After the data is being analyzed, the module would receive feedback from

the server if the pulse wave analyzed is abnormal.


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4. Benefits of Product

4.1 Individual

Customers would be benefited in 3 ways from the Tele-Pulse Taker:

The user would be benefited from short-term and long-term

improvement of health. In the short run, since the customer’s pulse waveforms

are monitored regularly, minor diseases could be detected once triggered. In the

long run, the user would be reminded of his health condition once possible

problems are identified. Therefore, his health could be maintained with constant

monitoring.

The user would be able to understand their health condition better with a

comprehensive health record once they start utilizing the Tele-Pulse Taker. The

customer could suggest the physician to refer back to the pulse waveform

patterns to fuller interpret their present health condition and advise them

correspondingly to better their lifestyle.

The patient-physician relationship could be enhanced. Given a more

efficient way of communication and convenient means of health information

sharing, physician can grasp the patient’s condition better and patient can hence

rely more on physician, thereby establishing a closer linkage between the two

parties.

4.2 Society

Society would be benefited in 5 ways once the Tele-Pulse Taker is

extensively used by Hong Kong people:

The medical resources spent initiated by chronic diseases in Hong Kong is

estimated to be around US$250 million [1]. It also creates a huge medical burden to

society. Given the preventable property of chronic disease, if prevention strategies

such as constant monitoring and screening are well performed, such heavy burden

on society could be relieved. This result could be achieved if the Tele-Pulse Taker is

widely used among the Hong Kong population as it emphasizes on constant health

monitoring and prevention.

The mortality rate of chronic disease could be reduced for the same

reason.

Comprehensive medical record of the user could be achieved, which

could further provide citizens with better health care services as they are invaluableresources for public health analysis. Such information also enables economic


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5. Feasibility Study

5.1 Needs Analysis

Needs analysis is needed to determine how the design of our product

could fulfill the requirements of the current situation. It also further

demonstrates the feasibility of the product.

Surveys were designed and research papers regarding related topics were

studied.

5.1.1 Survey

The survey was conducted from 26th

October to 9th

November, 2012,

which lasted for 2 weeks in total. 47 people were interviewed. We targeted

the interviewee to potential consumers of age between 20 and 60.

30 questionnaires were surveyed in the Chinese University of Hong

Kong. The remaining 17 were distributed to random individuals within the

age range in the Sha Tin Park.

5.1.1.1 Survey Design (Please refer to appendix-2 for the questionnaire)

Questions would be set mainly in the following 3 categories:

1. The degree of awareness of personal health

2. The attitude towards Chinese medicine and Western medicine

3. The attitude towards mobile healthcare product

The survey takes about 2 to 3 minutes to complete. 10 questions

were set. The first 2 questions belong to the first category; the third and

fourth belong to the second category and the remaining belong to

category 3. 5 of the questions were yes-no questions, 4 have multiple

answers for the interviewee to choose from. The remaining one asks the

interviewee to rank the choices.

The questionnaire was specially designed to make it easily

understandable. Some terms were further elaborated for clarity. For

instance, in question 5, examples for “healthcare products” were given for

the respondents as blood pressure taker; digital thermometer and blood

glucose meter. It helps to ensure that the interviewees are on the right

track and the reliability of the result could be enhanced.


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Besides, the sequence of the questions was planned in a way that

some easy and factual questions were offered first. After that, more

complicated questions that require the interviewee’s opinion were asked.

This gradual change of questioning style allows the interviewee to follow

easily.

5.1.1.2 Analysis of the Results (Please refer to appendix-3 for the detail

results)

Degree of awareness towards personal health

More than half of the respondents said that they would see a

doctor if they find themselves ill. Meanwhile, only 7% of them have

regular body checkups.

This result indicates that people often seek help only when

problems occurred but they seldom take preventive measures such as

having regular body checkup which could effectively reduce the chance

of catching chronic diseases.

Attitude towards Chinese medicine and Western medicine

A majority of interviewees (91%) preferred Western medicine to

Chinese medicine. However, 98% of them agreed on the credibility of

diagnosis using pulse-taking principles.

Majority people do not opt for resorting to Chinese medicine

completely but there is a trend that they would gradually accept

Chinese medicine’s standing in medical field.

Attitude towards mobile healthcare product

Slightly more than half of the respondents had at least 1 or

more healthcare products with them. 83% of them claimed that they

are willing to wear a portable, light and convenient health monitoringproduct every day. Less than half (44%) of the interviewees had bought

any healthcare products before. For those who said they had never

bought any such products, 71% thought that they were necessary; 17%

though that they were not attractive enough because they were not

portable. 48% of the answerers were willing to pay $100 or more for a

device that monitors daily health signals. When people were asked to

rank different items according to their effectiveness in helping them to

stay away from diseases, “healthcare products” had a higher order

than “nutritional supplement”.


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Generally, interviewees had a positive response towards mobile

healthcare products.

A particular point to note is that many of the respondents

thought that “not necessary” or “not portable” are reasons that

prevent them from buying healthcare products. The result of thisquestion does not apply to the Tele-Pulse Taker. It is believed that

what they refer to as health products in their mind were only those on

the shelf nowadays. However, our innovative product is not only

portable but also necessary for the workforce to maintain their health

condition.

Moreover, results to question 6 and 9, which has been designed

to diffuse in the features of the Tele-Pulse taker, are very promising. A

majority of the interviewees were willing to wear and buy our product

for $100 or more.

5.1.2 Research by Other parties

To consolidate the needs analysis, further investigation on the public

health needs is required.

5.1.2.1 World Health Organization (WHO)

The WHO suggests that there is a worldwide increasing trend for

non-communicable diseases (NCDs). More importantly, all NCDs are

preventable. Therefore, the WHO announces an advice to the medical

field: the needs in the coming years should be focused on prevention;

diagnostic and screening at early stage. [7] The Tele-Pulse Taker fulfills

the mentioned 3 criteria.

5.1.2.2 Hong Kong Ideas Centre

The Hong Kong Ideas Centre did a background report on the

development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong in 2010. “……Hong

Kong’s potential to become an international centre for Chinese

medicine and medical practitioners. This is another industry which,

through the application of innovation and technology, can enhance

Hong Kong’s economic growth and give us a competitive edge on

global scale.”[8]

Technology and innovations of Chinese medicine need to be

strengthened to assist Hong Kong stands as the international centre ofChinese medicine in the world. The Tele-Pulse Taker would, at best,


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help to promote Hong Kong’s status. The government is also providing

subsidies for Chinese medicine related innovations to pursue her

objective. It is hope that our team could successfully compete for the

government subsidies to further reduce the possible expense on the

Tele-Pulse Taker development.


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6. Life Span

Under normal working condition, the Tele-Pulse Taker can stand for morethan 3 years. The life span of the product hinges on the durability of the

fundamental parts, the detailed life spans of which are shown below.

6.1 Life Span of Cuff and Natural Rubber

The cuff can stand for more than 15 years. It is made of plastic and is

wrapped with natural rubber. The natural rubber chosen has great hardness (40A)

and high tensile strength (2500psi) that can protect the cuff from wear and tear

during pulse-taking process, making the cuff overall wear-resistant, tensile, tough,

and waterproof.

6.2 Life Span of Microprocessor

The microprocessor can stand for more than 5 years. The life span of a

microprocessor depends most on power output. The computational power required

is moderate as compared to ordinary microprocessor used in blood pressure sensor

and blood glucose level monitor.

6.3 Life Span of Piezoelectric Sensor

The piezoelectric sensor can stand for 3 years. The piezoelectric sensor is

subjected to mechanical shock, making it the most fragile part. Exaggerated motion

of user may cause loosening of sensors’ internal parts..

6.4 Life Span of Battery

Estimate the battery life. The unit cannot work if the battery level falls below10%. Under normal condition, i.e. taking 5 pulses per day (at a 3-hour interval), the

battery can stand for 3 years.

6.5 Life Span of LEDs

The power output of LED as low as 1.5W and the parts involved is minimal. It

can stand for more than 20 years.


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7. Financial Consideration

The price of Tele-Pulse Taker would be set at HKD 450. The earning is aroundHKD 70 per set of Tele-Pulse Taker sold. The estimated sales volume is 800 sets in

the first year, so a revenue of HKD56,000 is expected, the earning less miscellaneous

cost per annum is HKD11,000. As the Tele-Pulse Taker gains in popularity and

maturity, the cost for promotion and research would be reduced and the net profit

will increase significantly.

The prices are quoted from online catalogue [9][10] and wholesale prices are

chosen for estimation.

7.1 Material Cost

It should be noted that since each set of Tele-Pulse Taker includes 2 cuffs (one

for left wrist and one for right wrist), so the quantities of all parts of the main unit

are doubled. The estimated material cost per set of Tele-Pulse Taker is shown below.

Item (Quantity) Estimated Cost (HKD)

Natural Rubber x2 8

Cuff - Plastic x2 5

- Velcro hooks and loops x2 1

Piezoelectric Sensor x 6 90Microprocessor x2 180

Wireless Module x 2 90

LED x 4 0.12

Battery x2 7

Total 381.12

Table 1. A table showing the material cost per set of Tele-Pulse Taker

7.2 Miscellaneous Cost

The cost here is just a rough estimation. The maintenance is mainly for

replacement of battery since replacement of battery by users is not recommended

lest the internal subtle parts be damaged.Promotion and research content can be

found in Implement Plan (Pg. 25-29) in greater detail.

Item Estimated Cost (HKD)

Maintenance & After-sale service 15,000

Promotion 20,000

Research 10,000

Total 45,000Table 2. A table showing the miscellaneous cost per annum.


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8. Implementation Plan

The implementation of Tele-Pulse Taker comprises 3 stages, namely testing,establishment, and evaluation. The focuses and strategies employed in each stage

are different in order to perfect and justify the product promptly and accordingly.

Fig 3. A flow chart showing the stages in implementation

8.1 Testing

Before releasing the product into the market, thorough tests would be

conducted. The aim of this stage is to ensure the reliability and effectiveness of the

product.

8.1.1 Steps

There are 3 main steps involved.

1. Ensuring the reliability and accuracy of microprocessor

The microprocessor would be set to generate different level of

pressure to check whether a constant and steady pressure can be

maintained during pulse-taking process.

2.

Ensuring accuracy of piezoelectric sensor

Piezoelectric sensors would be applied accordingly to ensure its

measurement accuracy. The results would be checked against that

obtained by standard mercury pressure gauge.

3. Improving pulse pattern identification

The pulse pattern obtained by the Tele-Pulse Taker and from well-

established data bank would be compared. This is to ensure that the

pulse patterns we obtained are smooth and can be easily identified by the

product. Advice and guidance would be sought from the School of

Testing-Quality

Control

Establishment-Setting Target Group

-Promotion

-Ready on Shelf

-Cooperation

Evaluation-Perfection

-Improving Sales


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8.2.2 Promotion

8.2.2.1 Commercial Advertisement

Advertisement will be placed in various magazines that

are read by our target group at a frequency of around twice amonth for 3 months.

1. Business Magazine

This is the magazine our target group commonly

prescribes and reads, eg. Business Weekly and Economists.

It is the most direct way to reach them and convey the

product.

2.

Healthcare Magazine

By placing advertisement in healthcare magazine,

interest form healthcare lovers can be aroused and thereby

increasing the target group size.

8.2.2.2 Institute of Higher Education

Talks would be organized with a view to promote

Chinese long-standing diagnostic methods as well as

publicizing our innovative product to students. This group ofaudience is our potential customers who will enter the

workforce in near future.

8.2.3 Sales Channel

Our product would be available in exclusive shops and online. We

would also bargain with chained shops like The Watson’s to make the Tele-

Pulse Taker easily available.

8.2.4 Cooperation

We would cooperate with education institute and clinical authority

to promote our product.

1. Education Institute

Educational talks and events would be co-organized with

education institutes in order to publicize the product throughpromoting Chinese diagnostic methods.


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This can help increase the recognition and credibility of

Chinese remedying method in the younger generation and promote

the idea of natural remedy as a bonus.

2.

Clinical Authority

Rental services would be rendered to high-risk patients

recommended by physicians. This is to get more feedbacks.

8.3 Evaluation

Survey and interviews would be conducted to our customers to evaluate

their level of satisfaction and rooms for improvement. The Tele-Pulse Taker would

be modified and justified accordingly to perfect the product.

8.4 Future Plan and Stepping Further

And in the future, we want to step further to convey our mindset, perfect the

product and improve sales.

8.4.1 Expectation Adjustment

It is expected that in the beginning stage, people would place their

emphasis on diagnostic part rather than the prevention of disease part. Yet,

we want to switch back the focus on prevention rather than diagnosis, in

order to achieve our ultimate goal that is to make health as an accessible

asset for everyone.

8.4.2 Perfection of Product

Through cooperation with clinical parties, more sample pulse pattern

waveforms could be collected in order to enrich the databank and thereby

making the product more widely applicable.

8.4.3 Enlarging market size

In the meantime, the reasons for limiting the target group to

workforce aged 20 to 60 is that pulse pattern waveforms vary with ages,

consolidation of product is required before implementing to a greater

population.


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But with continuous research, the above problem can be solved and the

target group size can be possibly extended.

8.4.4 Inspiration

It is our ultimate goal to convey the message that prevention prevails

over cure and make health as an accessible asset for everyone.

Enhancing the recognition of Chinese remedying method internationally

would be a bonus in acknowledging the Chinese long-standing wisdom. In later-

stage promotion when Tele-Pulse Taker has gained popularity, focus would be

placed on these areas so that the public would correlate the Tele-Pulse Taker

with prevention of disease, convenience and innovation with long-standing

wisdom.

It is also our dream to establish a comprehensive medical history for

every individual in order to increase diagnostic efficiency and reduce medical

burden in the long run. This can be accomplished by recoding the user’s pulse

pattern waveform on a regular basis.

To summarize the implementation plan in one sentence, we want to

make health as an accessible asset for everyone.


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9. Conclusion

To conclude, the Tele-Pulse Taker is a portable, convenient and reasonablypriced health-monitoring device. It is beneficial in many aspects and its

marketability is well supported by the feasibility study.

We strongly believe that with the implementation of our product, health

IS accessible.


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10. Reference

[1] G. Leung, “The challenge of chronic conditions in Hong Kong,” Hong KongMedical J., vol. 8, no. 5, pp. 376-378, 1 Oct. 2002. [PDF]. Available:

http://www.hkmj.org/article_pdfs/hkm0210p376.pdf. [Accessed 16 Nov. 2012]

[2] 1st Initial. World health organization, “Needs assessment for medical devices,”

WHO Medical device technical series, vol. , no. , p. 3, Jun. 2001. [PDF]. Available:

http://apps.who.int/bookorders/anglais/detart1.jsp?codlan=1&codcol=93&codcch=

258. [Accessed 16 Nov. 2012]

[3] J. Zhang and R. Wang, S. Lu, “EasiCPRS: Design and Implementation of a Portable

Chinese Pulse-wave Retrieval System,” Proc. of the 9th ACM Conference onEmbedded Networked Sensor Syst. , p. 149, 1 Nov. 2011. [PDF]. Available:

http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2070958. [Accessed 15 Oct. 2012]

[4] J. Shu, Y. Sun, 1st Initial. , “Developing classification indices for Chinese pulse

diagnosis,” Complementary Therapies in Medicine, vol. 15, pp. 190-198, 21 Aug. 2006.

[PDF]. Available: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17709064. [Accessed 15 Oct.

2012]

[5] Z. Chao and Q. Lui, X. Wu, “A Design of Mobile Monitoring System Based on

Tradition Chinese Medicine,” IFMBE Proc., vol. 1, pp. 571 –573, Apr. 2008. [PDF].

Available: http://www.hljbme.cn/editor/UploadFile/T18S000005.PDF. [Accessed 15

Oct. 2012]

[6] Texas Instrument. “EZ430-Chronos”. Wkipedia. [Online]. Available:

http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/EZ430-Chronos. [Accessed: Dec. 6, 2012].

[7] 1st Initial. World Health Organization, “Health care technology diffusion: case

medical devices,” Technology Diffusion, vol., pp. 10-12, 24 Jan. 2012. [PDF]. Available:

http://www.who.int/medical_devices/technology_diffusion_24Jan12.pdf. [Accessed

16 Nov. 2012]

[8] C. Leong et al., “Development of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong”, Hong Kong

Ideas Centre, Hong Kong, Rep., Mar.2010. [PDF]. Available:

http://www.ideascentre.hk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/development-

of-chinese-medicine-background-report1.pdf. [Accessed 15 Oct. 2012]

[9] “Element 14| Electronic Components Distributor” Internet:

http://hk.element14.com/, [Accessed Dec. 7, 2012].

[10] “Stk Shop Homepage” Internet: http://www.stkshop.com/, [Accessed Dec. 7,

2012].


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11. Appendices

11.1 The 13 Chinese Pulse Waveforms and Their Description

11.2 Questionnaire Designed for Needs Analysis

11.3 Results of the Questionnaire


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11.2 Questionnaire Designed for Needs Analysis


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11.3 Results of the Questionnaire

1. Would you see a doctor if you find yourself ill?

□ Yes □ No

2. Do you have regular body checkups?

□ Yes □ No


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7. Have you ever buy any healthcare products for yourself, your family members,

friends or colleagues?

□ Yes □ No

(If the answer is “Yes”, please jump to question 9.)

8. What prevents you from buying any of such health products?

□ not necessary □ too expensive □ products too complicated to use

□ not portable □ others ____________


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9. How much would you prefer to pay for a device that helps the monitoring of daily

health signals?

□ $500

10. Which of the following ways are more effective in helping us to stay away fromdiseases? Please rank the following (4: most effective; 1: least effective)

□ Health care products □ Nutrition supplement □ Diets □ Exercise

Items to choose from Average scores

Nutrition supplement 0.2

Health care products 2.8

Diets 3.2

Exercise 3.8

Documents

Tele Pulse Taker