Article: The effect of pulsating arteries on reflectance pulse oximetry: measurements in adults and neonates

Objective: The objective of our study was to describe the results from human experiments during normoxia that demonstrate the effect of pulsating arteries on the measured arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) using a reflectance pulse oximeter sensor.

Methods: In 6 healthy adults and 7 healthy neonates, a Nellcor reflection sensor (FS-10 oxisensor, Nellcor, Inc., Pleasanton, CA) was placed in three different positions: (1) on the forehead, (2) on the temporal area, with the photodiode placed over the superficial temporal artery, and (3) on the temporal area, with the light-emitting diodes (LEDs) placed over the superficial temporal artery.

Results: Placement of the sensor in position 2 resulted in a significantly lower SpO2 reading, compared to sensor position 1: 5.8% (p < 0.01) lower for adults and 7.5% (p < 0.01) lower for neonates. Placement of the sensor in position 3 resulted in significantly larger plethysmographic signals, compared to sensor position 1; but, the Spo2 readings were alike.

Conclusions: Pulsating arteries can affect the reliability of reflection pulse oximetry. Depending on the position of the sensor, a falsely low Spo2 value can be observed.

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The Effect of Pulsating Arteries on Reflectance Pulse Oximetry: Measurements in Adults and Neonates