Perfusion Index i ndicator

What（Perfusion Index indicator）is

A pulse oximeter is a device that analyzes the rate between oxygenated hemoglobin and reduced
hemoglobin as arterial oxygen saturation(SpO2). This difference is measured by the amount of light
absorbed through the pulse of when light is transmitted through the finger.
On the basis of the measurement principle, a pulse oximeter may show unstable SpO2 value and
become unable to make measurement because of the following reasons;
・Excess noise caused by body movement or outside light (i.e. sunlight). (An indication of such would be
that the pulse bar display will fluctuate.)
・Reduction of peripheral blood current due to arterial constriction or artery blockage
・With low perfusion, the amount of light which PD (photo diode) receives may become excessively high
or low.
The larger the difference of light received by PD, the more accurate the measurement become.
On the contrary, when the peripheral perfusion is low, the mesasurement value becomes unstable (SD
becomes large).
Also, the peripheral perfusion could indicate low value due to compression of the part of the finger
being measured, incorrect installation of a sensor probe, or body temperature decrease.
PIi indicates fluctuation rate of received light with an indicator (PIi ).
Especially when measurement time is short, in order to measure SpO2 perfusion under the appropriate
conditions, please observe the PIi.
The state of low perfusion:
Perfusion becomes low with peripheral vascular constriction under the following condition;
cardiac arrest, shock, arteriosclerosis, temperature decrease of fingers, compression of fingers (non
invasive blood pressure measurement etc.), arteriosclerosis obliterans, Buerger's disease(inflammation),
Raynaud's disease(vascular constriction), etc.
UBIX diplays perfusion by an easy to understand four step indicator index (PIi ).

Probe and the measurement point Vasoconstriction

Light received by PD

The light received increases because it is easy to transmit light.

LED
Difference of
the amount
of light
Measurement point (finger) receiv
Vascular dilation
The light received decreases because it is difficult to transmit light.

PD
Time
“The relationship between pulse beat and light received by PD”

Difference (small) Difference(Moderate)

Difference(sufficient)
0.6～2％ 2～4％
more than 4%
Light received by PD

Light received by PD

Light received by PD

Total amount of light received Total amount of light received Total amount of light received
100％ 100％ 100％

Time Time Time

“Relationship between difference of amount of light and PIi display”

difference of amount of light 0.6 2.0 4.0 P I(%)

perfusion index indicator (%) = ×100
Total amount of light received

“Formula of perfusion index indicator and（PIi）Pe r fu s i on I n d e x i ndicator display”