title: Hardware performance assessment recommendations and tools for baropodometric sensor systems.
abstract: Accurate plantar pressure measurements are mandatory in both clinical and research contexts. Differences in accuracy, precision, reliability of pressure measurement devices (PMDs) prevented so far the onset of standardization processes and of reliable reference datasets. The Italian National Institute of Health (ISS) approved and conducted a scientific project aimed to design, validate and implement dedicated testing methods for both in-factory and on-the-field PMD assessment. A general-purpose experimental set-up was built, complete and suitable for the assessment of PMDs based on different sensor technology, electronic conditioning and mechanical solutions. Preliminary assessments have been conducted on 5 commercial PMDs. The study lead to the definition of: i) an appropriate set of instruments and procedures for PMD technical assessment; ii) a minimum set of significant parameters for the technical characterization of the PMD performance; iii) some recommendations to both manufacturers and end users for an appropriate use in clinics and in research context.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Tecnologie e Salute, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy. claudia.giacomozzi@iss.it
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giacomozzi
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005528:Foot / Q000502:physiology*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D010829:Physiological Phenomena; D010827:Physiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D011312:Pressure