Study of Three Interface Pressure Measurement Systems Used in the Treatment of Venous Disease

Abstract

The aim of the publication is to report the accuracy, repeatability and the linearity of three commercially available interface pressure measurement systems employed in the treatment of venous disease. The advances in the treatment and management of chronic venous disease by compression therapy have led to considerable research interest in interface pressure measurement systems capable of measuring low-pressure ranges (10–60 mmHg). The application of a graduated pressure profile is key for the treatment of chronic venous disease which is achieved by using compression bandages or stockings; the required pressure profiles are defined in standards (BSI, RAL-GZ, or AFNOR) for different conditions. However, achieving the recommended pressure levels and its accuracy is still deemed to be a challenge. Thus, it is vital to choose a suitable pressure measurement system with high accuracy of interface pressure. The authors investigated the sensing performance of three commercially available different pressure sensors: two pneumatic based (AMI and PicoPress®) and one piezoresistive (FlexiForce®) pressure sensors, with extensive experimental work on their performance in terms of linearity, repeatability, and accuracy. Both pneumatic based pressure measurement systems have shown higher accuracy in comparison to the flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors.

Keywords

• pressure sensor
• compression therapy
• interface pressure measurement
• sensor evaluation
• flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors