Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025

Dual-mode Imaging of Cutaneous Tissue Oxygenation and Vascular Function
Published on: December 8, 2010
Effect of Skin Pigmentation and Finger Choice on Accuracy of Oxygen Saturation Measurement in an IoT-Based Pulse
Shyqyri Haxha1, Chike Nwibor1, Mian Ali1
1Department of Electronic Engineering, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham TW20 0EX, UK.
Abstract:
Pulse oximeters are widely used in hospitals and homes for measurement of blood oxygen saturation level (SpO2) and heart rate (HR). Concern has been raised regarding a possible bias in obtaining pulse oximeter measurements from different fingertips and the potential effect of skin pigmentation (white, brown, and dark). In this study, we obtained 600 SpO2 measurements from 20 volunteers using three UK NHS-approved commercial pulse oximeters alongside our custom-developed sensor, and used the Munsell colour system (5YR and 7.5YR cards) to classify the participants' skin pigmentation into three distinct categories (white, brown, and dark). The statistical analysis using ANOVA post hoc tests (Bonferroni correction), a Bland-Altman plot, and a correlation test were then carried out to determine if there was clinical significance in measuring the SpO2 from different fingertips and to highlight if skin pigmentation affects the accuracy of SpO2 measurement. The results indicate that although the three commercial pulse oximeters had different means and standard deviations, these differences had no clinical significance.
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