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 thirty 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
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.
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 1/50th 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.
SPO's RPO Technique
SPO's Revolutionary ASIC Chip
The Wireless Functionality
SPO Medical has developed its system to operate in an RF wireless mode. IR
technology is also available for short-range wireless data transmission.
Ongoing Development Building on its core competencies, SPO Medical continues to develop new,
innovative product applications. For instance, SPO Medical is currently
investigating the non-invasive monitoring of:
Blood pressure using reflectance oximetry
Billirubin levels
Cholesterol levels
Monitoring glucose levels in blood
Hemoglobin count in blood
OEM Technical Specifications
SPO Medical will customize products based on customers' technical requirements
where possible. Oximetry measurements using a reflectance mode can be configured
with or without wireless functionality. The base OEM specifications are for a 1"
(25 mm) diameter disc (or square form factor), which incorporates all required
components for calculating and measuring saturation and heart pulse rate. The
data is sent to the host system by a communication link. Typical average power
requirement for operating the total system in this reflectance mode is 1.5mW.
Options include reusable or disposable sensors, a variety of printed circuit
designs in accordance to customer specific needs, and our assistance in the
product integration stage as required.
