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A non invasive optical oximetry in humans: preliminary data
1Department of Clinical Methodology and Medico-Surgical Technologies, Institute of Internal Medicine and Hypertension, Research Center of Hemorheology, Microcirculation, Oxygen Transport and Optical Technologies, INFM Research Unit.
Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation
|March 11, 2000
Summary
A novel optical oximeter (LOX) offers a new method for assessing tissue oxygen saturation. This innovative device, unlike pulse oximeters, uses diffused reflectance for deeper tissue evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Devices
- Physiology
Background:
- Assessing oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in living tissues is crucial for monitoring physiological status.
- Existing methods like pulse oximetry (PO) primarily rely on light transmission, limiting tissue depth penetration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate a new experimental instrument, the optical oximeter (LOX), for measuring tissue oxygen saturation.
- To compare the LOX's performance against traditional methods like transcutaneous oximetry (TO) and pulse oximetry (PO).
Main Methods:
- The LOX utilizes two LEDs (670 nm and 830 nm) and measures diffused reflectance, unlike the transmission-based PO.
- Oxygen saturation is determined as a linear function of the ratio of absorption coefficients at the two wavelengths.
- The study involved 10 healthy volunteers, comparing LOX measurements at the wrist and ankle with TO and PO readings.
Main Results:
- A significant correlation (p < 0.01) was found between the measurements obtained from TO, PO, and the new LOX device.
- Preliminary data indicate the LOX's capability to assess oxygenation in tissues several centimeters deep.
Conclusions:
- The optical oximeter (LOX) presents a promising new methodology for evaluating tissular oxygenation.
- Its ability to measure diffused reflectance allows for deeper tissue penetration compared to transmission-based oximeters.