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For people, place, prosperity and planet, we deliver impact with measurement science

Industries

Medical devices

Developing the next generation of medical devices to diagnose, monitor and treat disease

The world is home to an ageing and growing population living with increased chronic disease​. This leads to increased competitivity and pressure on developers to bring devices and technologies to market faster, while meeting increasingly stringent regulations for patient safety.

NPL's world-class research, calibrations and specialised measurement services are supporting the shift towards proactive healthcare, enabled by innovative medical devices. We offer a range of consultancy and services to support, from performance testing at development stage, to helping our customers comply with demanding quality control regulations.

Contact us

See below for an overview of the key services we offer to the medical devices sector.

Ultrasound

Hydrophones for ultrasonics calibration

We offer UKAS accredited and ISO 17025 compliant characterisation of ultrasonic medical devices. 

Ultrasonic measurement and testing

NPL offers acoustic holography, acoustic output measurement, ultrasound exposure testing and characterisation of material properties.

Surface temperature test phantom

We perform compliance testing of ultrasound transducers specified in IEC 60601-2-37 Ed 2 using Agar-based tissue-mimicking material.

Ultrasound power and radiation force balances

NPL provides measurement of acoustic output power generated either by transducers or reference sources, and calibrates radiation force balances.

 

Industrial sterilisation

Alanine dosemeter reference service

We measure the amount of radiation required to sterilise products for regulatory compliance. Alanine is a stable amino acid, solely developed for and used by NPL.

High dose cobalt-60 irradiations 

Our 60Co self-shielded irradiators are available for the irradiation of dosimeters or investigations, and tests of materials. 

 

 

Radiotherapy and diagnostic services

Medical radiation consultancy 

NPL provides tailored solutions and independent advice for radiotherapy, nuclear medicine, radiobiology, MRI, radiation protection and industrial sterilisation.

Hire of Linac facility and hire of radiation protection

Our facilities are available for hire to customers wishing to perform tests or calibrations to their own procedures.

Pre-clinical dosimetry consultancy radiobiology

We provide access to a range of dosimetry measurements, from reference dosimetry to end-to-end audit of commercial and bespoke radiation units.

 

Product development and quality control

Mass spectrometry and surface analysis

Our independent and reliable measurement expertise can support medical device development, help you understand device failures and improve quality control.

 

Case study

New low-cost flexible X-ray detectors

Article

Case study

NPL improves access to medical ultrasound quality assurance

Article

Contact us

Our research and measurement solutions support innovation and product development. We work with companies to deliver business advantage and commercial success.
Contact our Customer Services team on +44 20 8943 7070