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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.
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