What is Pulse Oximetry?
Pulse oximetry is a very important non-invasive process used to measure blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO2) by monitoring the percentage of hemoglobin (Hb), which is saturated with oxygen as well as measuring heart rate. This procedure has been used regularly in hospitals during the past twenty years and is established as an essential measurement in medical practice, to ensure maintenance of adequate oxygen and prevention of respiratory difficulty. In many disease states, oxygen saturation is one of the most important vital signs to monitor.

Transmission Pulse Oximetry
There are two methods to measure pulse oximetry: by transmission through a body part or by reflection. In general, the transmission method can only be used on limited areas of the body, such as fingers, earlobes, etc. Furthermore, in some instances when the transmission method is used, physiological conditions such as stress and temperature can affect the accuracy of pulse oximetry readings.

The Power Challenge
Because pulse oximetry measurements taken on-site in an emergency, at local medical practices, and/or in home care, can save lives and curtail intervention costs, mobile units have been developed. However, they have not been incorporated into the mainstream because their power requirements often make them impractical. In addition, the technical complexities involved when a patient cannot be absolutely stationary have produced unreliable results, since pulse oximetry measurement traditionally have been less accurate during movement.

SPO Medical's Reflectance Technique and Low-Power Advantage
Responding to the need for life-saving information in the field where people cannot be absolutely stationary, SPO Medical developed patented sensors that work accurately during physical activity. This technique uses a reflectance method whereby a very small sensor placed on the body at various locations has the ability to measure oxygen saturation and heart pulse rate. Typical motion artifacts have been compensated for within the system algorithms.

SPO Medical has patented technology that uses the reflectance technique and incorporates it into portable devices that are as reliable as a thermometer or blood pressure cuff. Moreover, these devices operate at a power requirement approximately 1/100th of that compared to commercially available systems. This puts pulse oximetry into the hands medical practitioners and emergency personnel on-site for the safety and benefit of all, and offers the opportunity to create new commercial and consumer applications.