22-11-2012, 06:31 PM
Medical Instrumentation
Medical Instrumentation.pdf (Size: 295.84 KB / Downloads: 178)
Aim and purpose
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to develop, through a practical approach, an understanding of the
important principles and techniques applied in medical instrumentation. Learners will investigate transducers
and sensors, processing circuits, how display and recording units are used and how medical instrumentation is
maintained.
Unit introduction
This unit will give learners a basic understanding of the principles and techniques applied in medical
instrumentation. It deals initially with the different types of transducers, sensors and input circuits that are used
in the measurement of physiological signals.
This unit also covers electrical safety and the electrical isolation circuits that are used to protect the patient
from any electrical hazards presented by the medical instrumentation system. It then considers the processing
of the electrical signals produced by the transducers, for example amplification and analogue to digital
conversion.
Learners will then investigate the different types of display devices used in medical instrumentation,
considering advantages and disadvantages of different types. Finally, this unit covers calibration procedures
including the calibration of test equipment and the use of digital technology to correct the deviation of real
transducers from their ideal characteristics.
Delivery
The risk of electric shock from patient-connected equipment should be emphasised, along with the effects
of electric shock on the human body. Manufacturers of electrical equipment produce a range of educational
literature, service and calibration manuals which could be very useful in delivering the unit content.
Learners should understand that measuring systems often use mechanical systems and that faults in these
systems can produce errors in measurement, for example blockages or leaks in flow measurement channels.
Therefore, learners need to understand the need for regular maintenance and appreciate the risk of faults
being introduced during maintenance due to human error. Learners must appreciate the need for clear
maintenance procedures and checklists to minimise these risks.
Learners should understand the principle of calibration and be able to describe calibration procedures for
transducers, measurement circuits, meters and displays in medical instrumentation systems. They should
understand the need for calibration of test equipment and describe how equipment calibration is carried out.
Learners should also understand the need for accurate and detailed records, including who carried out the
test, serial numbers of any parts fitted, serial numbers of all test equipment used, records of patients on whom
the equipment is used and test equipment calibration records traceable to national standards.