Overview
ISO 12487:2026 – Medical electrical equipment – Clinical performance evaluation of clinical thermometers establishes internationally recognized requirements and methods for the clinical investigation of medical electrical equipment designed to measure body temperature using indirect measurement modes. Developed by ISO, this standard applies to both intermittently and continuously measuring clinical thermometers, such as oral, rectal, and axillary thermometers, especially those with predictive algorithms and short measurement times. It is intended to ensure the performance, accuracy, and safety of clinical thermometers widely used in healthcare environments.
Importantly, ISO 12487:2026 does not apply to thermometers using direct measurement mode, screening thermographs (IEC 80601-2-59), or devices such as pulmonary artery catheters (for which ISO 80601-2-56 is relevant).
By standardizing clinical investigation methodologies, ISO 12487 enhances the reliability of temperature measurement, supports regulatory compliance, and boosts user confidence in medical device performance.
Key Topics
- Clinical Investigation Requirements: Defines rigorous clinical testing protocols for thermometers operating in indirect measurement mode, ensuring comprehensive performance evaluation.
- Application Scope: Covers predictive and continuous clinical thermometers with measurement times under 60 seconds (oral, rectal) or under 5 minutes (axillary).
- Subject Selection and Testing Conditions: Specifies minimum numbers of test subjects, age groups, and temperature distributions to ensure representativeness and reliability.
- Measurement Methods: Outlines procedures for using reference thermometers, determining appropriate application and indicated sites, and justifying deviations.
- Environmental Considerations: Details requirements for ambient conditions, subject preparation, and instructions for use during clinical trials.
- Disclosure and Documentation: Prescribes clear documentation and information disclosure obligations for manufacturers to support transparency and regulatory assessment.
- Good Clinical Practice Compliance: Mandates adherence to ISO 14155 for all clinical investigations.
Applications
ISO 12487:2026 is highly relevant for:
- Medical device manufacturers: Ensuring new or updated clinical thermometers conform to recognized clinical investigation methodologies before market entry.
- Regulatory authorities and notified bodies: Evaluating compliance of medical electrical equipment with standardized performance assessment procedures.
- Clinical laboratories and healthcare institutions: Assessing thermometer performance and safety as part of procurement or quality management processes.
- Product development teams: Guiding research, design, and validation of new clinical thermometer technologies for healthcare environments.
- Quality assurance professionals: Standardizing verification processes for accuracy, repeatability, and reliability of body temperature measurements.
By following ISO 12487:2026, stakeholders in the healthcare technology sector achieve higher confidence in temperature measurement devices, promote patient safety, and meet international regulatory and market access requirements.
Related Standards
- ISO 80601-2-56 – Medical electrical equipment – Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of clinical thermometers for body temperature measurement.
- IEC 80601-2-59 – Medical electrical equipment – Particular requirements for basic safety and essential performance of screening thermographs for human febrile temperature screening.
- ISO 14155 – Clinical investigation of medical devices for human subjects – Good clinical practice.
- ISO 20417 – Medical devices – Information to be supplied by the manufacturer.
- ISO 14971 – Medical devices – Application of risk management to medical devices.
These related standards form a comprehensive framework for the design, testing, performance evaluation, and clinical validation of medical thermometry equipment.
Summary
ISO 12487:2026 provides the essential clinical performance evaluation framework for indirect measurement clinical thermometers. Its adoption supports improved innovation, safety, regulatory compliance, and effectiveness in body temperature measurement solutions in clinical and healthcare settings. For any organization involved in the design, development, or use of clinical thermometers, compliance with ISO 12487:2026 is vital for meeting international best practices in medical device performance evaluation.
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