Metrology Versus Medical Metrology

Metrology aims to provide the reliability and accuracy of all measurements by defining the units (SI and its derivatives), which are the basis of all measurement systems, and to offer them to the use of science and technology. Metrology specializes in three different fields: scientific, legal and industrial metrology.

The main purpose of Medical Metrology is to ensure and improve the traceability of measurement quantities in the field of health, to integrate them into the international metrology system by making international comparisons, and to establish a measurement association by providing traceability to low-level laboratories established in the country (with calibration, measurement and test services in the country or abroad). Medical devices range from a simple thermometer to computerized imaging systems, clinical measurement systems or multi-parameter computer-controlled devices.

Regular maintenance/repair and testing, measurement, verification and calibration should be performed at regular intervals to ensure the correct operation of medical devices throughout their use. Some instruments and apparatus used for testing, measurement, verification and calibration are commercially available. However, sometimes primary standards are not always available in medical calibrations and measurement is based on physiological models or assumptions.

In this article, traceability in classical/conventional metrology and medical metrology will be examined.