Clinical Engineering

1. MEASUREMENT UNITS AND SYSTEMS Introduction. What is a measurement? Physical quantities and their dimensions, dimensional equations, measurement unit systems with particular regard to the International Measuring System. Changing of measurement units. 2. METROLOGICAL PROPERTIES Measurement chain (sensor, signal manipulator, data visualization), instrument classification. The instrument Metrological qualities: measurement range, sensitivity, accuracy, stiffness and instrument dynamic response. Zero, first and second order systems. Mechanical sensors and electrical transducers; primary and secondary sensors 3. STATISTICAL DATA ANALYSIS Frequency and probability distributions; normal distribution; meand and standard deviation. Theory of errors: error of the mean and standard error of the mean. Error propagation theory. 4. MEASUREMENT SIGNALS Voltage and current signals: analog operations (amplifiers, passive filters, WB, voltamperometer circuits, piezoelectric devices), active and passive electronic elements. 5. NUMERICAL AND DIGITAL MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS Electronic counters, measurement of time. A/D and D/A converters, digital voltmeters, digital oscilloscopes (hints), digital acquisition systems. 6. LENGTH AND DISPLACEMENT MEASUREMENT Work-shop instruments: Gauge and Palmer. Electrical displacement transducers (based on resistance, capacitance and inductance variation): the potentiometer, the Linear Variable Displacement Transducer. Linear and angular encoders. 7. STRAIN MEASUREMENT Mechanical strain gauge (basic elements). Electrical strain gage: working principle, thermal effects compensation, simple mechanical stresses measurement (traction, bending). Strain gage measurement systems. Multiple strain gage rosette. Strain gage signal manipulators. Optic fibers 8. MASS AND FORCE MEASUREMENT Balances and dynamometers, load cells. 9. PRESSURE MEASUREMENT Liquid manometer, metallic manometer (Bourdon), piezoelectric manometer. Piezoresistive transducers. 10. TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT The thermodynamic temperature scale and the International practical temperature scale. Basics of the different thermometer types. Electrical thermometers: Pt100, thermistors, thermocouples (working principles, types, using configuration). 11. VELOCITY MEASUREMENT Linear and angular velocity measurements. Fluid velocity measurements, the Pitot transducer. The hot-wire anemometer 12. FLOW MEASUREMENT Variable pressure drop methods: orifice, flow nozzle and venturi tube. Variable area meters: rotameter. Laminar flow meters and turbine meters . basic principles of ultrasonic meters and electromagnetic meters. 4 “laboratory” experiences: passive filters, traction and bending, “invasive” pressure measurements, temperature measurements.

To successfully succeed with the course the following prelimary knowledges are necessary: Analisi I, Analisi II, Fisica I, Fisica II, Scienza delle Costruzioni, Fisica Tecnica

- Materials from the teacher - Doebelin Ernest O. – Measurement systems, application and design – McGraw Hill

extremely suggested

The examination is in an oral form, and is based on both teoretic and practic (excercises) questions

The lessons will be in accordance to the rules from the University La Sapienza