New calibration method for I-scan sensors to enable the precise measurement of pressures delivered by 'pressure garments'

Accurate measurement of the pressure delivered by medical compression products is highly desirable both in monitoring treatment and in developing new pressure inducing garments or products. There are several complications in measuring pressure at the garment/body interface and at present no ideal pressure measurement tool exists for this purpose. This paper summarises a thorough evaluation of the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements taken following both of Tekscan Inc.'s recommended calibration procedures for I-scan sensors; and presents an improved method for calibrating and using I-scan pressure sensors. The proposed calibration method enables accurate (+/- 2.1 mmHg) measurement of pressures delivered by pressure garments to body parts with a circumference >= 30 cm. This method is too cumbersome for routine clinical use but is very useful, accurate and reproducible for product development or clinical evaluation purposes. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI. All rights reserved.