UNIVERSIDAD ECCI TECNOLOGÍA BIOMEDICA I III SEMESTRE

prototype pulse oximeter design

Luz Janeth Guio Figueroa (51785)
María Angélica Martínez Rojas (48580)
María Camila Pérez (61246)
Alejandro Fernández Rosas (62889)
Daniel Alejandro Morales

each beat, which means that the presence of

SUMMARY: A pulse oximeter is a device
that emits light with two wavelengths of 660
nm (red) and 940 nm (infrared) which are
respectively characteristics of oxyhemoglobin
and reduced hemoglobin. Most of the light is
absorbed by the connective tissue, skin, bone
and venous blood in a constant amount,
producing a small increase of this absorption
in the arterial blood with each beat, which
means that the presence of an arterial pulse is
necessary so that the device recognizes some
signal. By comparing the light absorbed
during the pulsatile wave with respect to basal
absorption, the percentage of oxyhemoglobin
is calculated. Only net absorption is measured
during a pulse wave, which minimizes the
influence of tissues, veins and capillaries on
the result. The pulse oximeter measures the
saturation of oxygen in tissues, has a
transducer with two parts, a light emitter and
a photodetector, usually in the shape of a clip
and that is usually placed on the finger, then it
is expected to receive the information on the
screen: Oxygen saturation, heart rate and
pulse curve.
PALABRAS CLAVE: Pulso, luz,
saturación, oxigeno.
ABSTRACT: A pulse oximeter is a
device that emits light with two wavelengths of
660 nm (red) and 940 nm (infrared) that are
characteristic of oxyhemoglobin and reduced
hemoglobin. Most of the light is absorbed by
the connective tissue, skin, bone and blood in a
constant amount, producing a small increase
of this absorption in the arterial blood with
arterial pulse is necessary for that the device
recognizes some signal. By comparing the
light absorbed by the pulsatile wave with
respect to basal absorption, the percentage of
oxyhemoglobin is calculated. Absorption is
only measured on a pulse wave, which
minimizes the influence of tissues, veins and
capillaries on the result. The pulse oximeter
measures the saturation of oxygen in tissues,
has a transducer with two parts, a light emitter
and a photodetector, usually in the form of a
clamp and which is usually placed on the
finger, then it is expected to receive the
information on the screen: Oxygen saturation,
heart rate and pulse curve.
KEY WORDS: Pulse, light, saturation,
oxygen.
1 NOMENCLATURE
Traditional nomenclature:
SaO2 (saturation of hemoglobin in arterial
blood)
HbO2 (Oxihemoglobin)
Hb (Reduced hemoglobin)
PaO2 (partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial
blood)
O2 (Oxygen)
2 INTRODUCTION
This article presents a detailed analysis of
pulse oximetry or pulse oximetry, being a
device that consists of a thimble and a
computer that graphs the saturation of oxygen

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in the blood. These teams monitor non-
invasive oxygen saturation. Oxygen saturation
(SaO2) is the% ratio between the concentration
of oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and
reduced hemoglobin (HbR). This parameter
denotes the amount of O2 that passes from the
alveoli to the blood and dissolves is the tissues
and body fluids. The oximeters measure the
O2 assimilation of the patient non-invasively.
3 METHODOLOGY
3.1 PULSIOXIMETRO –
PULSE OXIMETRE
STORY
In 1930 it begins to investigate on the
saturation of oxygen through light. In the
Second World War the interest is renewed due
to the hypoxia that the pilots presented. In
1960, the first oximeter was designed and
marketed in 1970. In 1935 Matthes developed
the first wavelength device to measure oxygen
saturation with red and green filters, which
were then changed to red and infrared filters.
This was the first device for the measurement
of oxygen saturation.
Fig. 1 Pulsioxímetro de Mattes-1940
In 1949 Wood added a pressure capsule to
squeeze the blood out of the ear and thus get
zeroed in an effort to obtain absolute oxygen
saturation when the blood was readmitted. The
concept was similar to the current pulse
oximeter but was difficult to implement due to
unstable photocells and light sources. Method
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was not used clinically. In 1964 Shaw
assembled the first absolute measurement
oximeter using eight wavelengths of light,
marketed by Hewlett Packard, its use was
limited to lung functions and to sleep
laboratories, due to its cost and size. The pulse
oximetry was developed in 1974, by Takuo
Aoyagi and Michio Kishi, bioengineering of
Nihon Kohden using the ratio of red to infrared
light absorption of pulsating components at the
measurement site. A surgeon, Susumu
Nakajima and his associates first tested the
device on patients, which was reported in
1975. This device was marketed by Biox in
1981 and Nellcor in 1983. Biox was founded
in 1979 and introduced the first pulse oximeter
in 1981. Biox initially focused on respiratory
care, but when it discovered that its devices
were being used in operating rooms to monitor
oxygen levels, Biox expanded its marketing
resources to focus on operating rooms at the
end of 1982. A competitor, Nellcor (now part
of Covidien, Ltd.), began to rival Biox by the
market of operating rooms in 1983. Before the
introduction of this device, the oxygenation of
a patient could only be measured by means of
gases in the arterial blood, a single point of
measurement, which takes a few minutes of
processing in a laboratory (In the absence of
oxygenation, brain damage begins in 5
minutes, with brain death after terrier within
another 10 to 15 minutes). In 1987, the
standard of care for the administration of
general anesthesia in the United States
included pulse oximetry. The use of the pulse
oximeter spread rapidly in the hospital, first in
the operating room and later in the recovery
rooms and intensive care units. Pulse oximetry
is of great value in the unit of neonates where
patients require the continuous determination
of the level of oxygenation, as they can have
side effects due to excess oxygen.
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Fig. 2 Pulsioxímetro OF Nellcor-1993
1. ¿ what is the pulse pulse oximeter?
It is a non-invasive method that allows to
determine the percentage of oxygen saturation
of the hemoglobin in a patient's blood with the
help of photoelectric methods.
To perform this technique, the pulse oximeter
is placed on a part of the body that is relatively
translucent and has a good blood flow, for
example the fingers of the hand or the foot or
the earlobe. The pulse oximeter emits lights
with wavelengths, red and infrared that pass
sequentially from an emitter to a detector
photo through the patient. The absorbance of
each wavelength caused by arterial blood
(pulsatile component) is measured, excluding
venous blood, skin, bones, muscle, fat. With
these data it will be possible to calculate the
oxygen saturation in blood.
Fig. 3 Hemoglobin in the blood
Pulse oximeters perform a spectrophotometric
evaluation of the oxygenation of hemoglobin,
by measuring the light transmitted through a
capillary bed, in other words, the oximeter
measures the changes in light absorption that
result from the pulsations of the blood. The
oximeters have a detection system consisting
of light-emitting diodes(LED) a single
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wavelength, photo detectors and
microprocessors. The oximeter sensor is
usually placed on the fingers or toes. There are
oximeters that you can have at home, which
are small, easy to use and work with batteries
or are sometimes rechargeable. If you have any
illness that requires the use of these
instruments you can buy an oximeter to be
aware of oxygen saturation levels, according to
the indications given by the doctor. When you
use it at home you should be calm or ask the
same person to put the oximeter, then place the
oximeter, preferably on the index finger and
wait for the device to throw the results, on the
screen, a heart it will indicate the pulsations of
the person and the abbreviations Spo2 will
indicate the level of oxygen saturation.
2. ¿ what is its characteristics?
A pulse oximeter is a particularly convenient
and non-invasive measuring instrument.
Normally, it has a pair of small light-emitting
diodes (LEDs) of a photodiode (A photo-diode
is a semiconductor constructed with a PN
junction.) The fundamental structure of the
commonly referred to as semiconductor
electronic components, mainly diodes, is called
PN junction. and transistors), sensitive to the
incidence of visible or infrared light) through a
translucent portion of the patient's body,
usually a finger or the lobe of an ear. One of
the LEDs is red, with a wavelength of 660 nm,
and the other is in the infrared, 905, 910, or
940 nm.
Fig. 4 parts of the pulse oximeter
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3. types of pulse oximeters Fig. 6 portable pulse oximeter

There are two different methods by which the
lights can be transmitted and read through the
oximeter. Despite the differences that may
exist between these two methods, there is still
no evidence that one is more effective than the
other.
The different types of reflective technology
presented in pulse oximeter models allow
oxygen saturation readings to be taken from
other parts of the body, which becomes useful
in some situations. In addition to the
differences in the way light is detected, they
may be different in size, shape and certain
uses according to the objective of the oximeter.
finger pulse oximeter: It is the type of pulse
oximeter most used in homes since they
provide reading of oxygen saturation and
pulse, with only placing them on the tip of any
finger. It usually works with batteries and is
very practical, as it can be carried around
easily.
wrist pulse oximeter: It also provides an
accurate reading and the sensor is placed
around the wrist, as if it were a watch; It is
quite useful for people who are not
comfortable with a sensor on their finger all
the time.
Fig. 7 Wrist pulse oximeter
Table pulse oximeter: Se usa frecuentemente
en hospitales y laboratorios para estudiar a los
pacientes en estudios de conducta del sueño.
De igual forma utilizan un sensor que se coloca
en el dedo, pero el monitor es mucho más
grande que el convencional o portátil ya que
ofrece información adicional a los médicos.

Fig. 5 Finger pulse oximeter

Portable pulse oximeter: It is usually a more

sophisticated equipment and its use is more
common in hospitals. Since the device is
formed by a sensor that is placed on the finger Fig. 8 Table pulse oximeter
and that is connected to a portable device that
is the one that throws the results of the search.
4. ¿how does it work?
The pulse oximeter is based on the fact that the
color of the blood varies depending on how
saturated oxygen it is, due to the optical
properties of the hemoglobin group of the
hemoglobin molecule. When the hemoglobin
molecule releases oxygen.

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pink, acquiring a more bluish tone and letting
less red light through. Thus, the pulse oximeter
determines the oxygen saturation by
spectrophotometrically measuring the "degree"
of blue of the arterial blood and expresses this
"blue" in terms of saturation. Since the amount
of oxyhemoglobin is related to the red
coloration of the blood, it is stronger how
much more oxyhemoglobin contains blood,
and more tenuous how much less
oxyhemoglobin is present. Because the
absorption of light from tissues and from
venous blood is constant, any change in the
absorption of light, between a given time and a
subsequent one, is due exclusively to arterial
blood. The pulse oximeters measure the
relationship, in a time interval, between the
absorption differences of the red and infrared
lights. This relationship is directly linked to the
saturation of oxyhemoglobin.
5. ¿What is it for?
Pulse oximetry can allow us to assess whether
oxygen levels (or oxygen saturation) in the
blood are adequate in various circumstances
such as in surgery, other procedures involving
sedation (for example, the bronchoscope),
supplemental oxygen adjustment as necessary,
the effectiveness of medications for the lungs
and the patient's tolerance to higher levels of
activity. Other reasons may include, but are not
limited to, the following: Mechanical
ventilation: use of a respirator to sustain
breathing sleep apnea: Periods of interruption
of breathing during sleep, medical problems,
such as myocardial infarction, congestive heart
failure, anemia, lung cancer, asthma or
pneumonia.
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Tabla 1 saturation, pressure of oxygen in the
blood
Clinical interpretation: On the contrary,
above 95%, large increases in PaO2 do not
imply significant increases in oxygen
saturation. PaO2 (mmHg) 100% 677 100 95%
80 90% 60 80% Below these values, small
decreases in PaO2 cause significant
saturations. O2 Saturation 98.4% A saturation
of 90%, corresponds to PaO2 60 mm Hg. 48
73% 40 60% 30 50%.
Saturation porcentaje:
The critical point that should give the alarm
signal is that of saturations lower than 95%
(lower than 90 or 92% when there is previous
chronic lung disease) these patients should
receive immediate treatment. PaO2 (mmHg)%
Saturation> 95% No immediate action. 95-
90% Immediate treatment and monitoring.
According to the answer, assess referral to the
hospital. Patients with chronic respiratory
disease tolerate saturations well around these
values. <90% Severe ill. Severe hypoxia
Oxygen therapy + treatment and transfer to the
hospital. <80% Assess intubation and
mechanical ventilation. In children with <92%:
Refer to the hospital even if they improve with
initial maneuvers, since their response to
treatments is more uncertain.
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¿How is it used?
Pulse oximetry can be done on an outpatient
basis or as part of your stay in a hospital. The
procedures may vary depending on your
condition and your doctor's practices. First,
information should be obtained on the correct
use of each model, and if it is necessary to
know how to adapt the needs we have to the
correct model, since in the market there are Fig. 9 Translucent body parts in adults
many different models with a wide range of
work possibilities through different programs. Children: (less than 20 Kg. Of weight)
Remove nail paints in the case of using Average portion of the foot on the big toe or on
thimble sensors. A clamp-like device called a the thumb. If the patient has poor peripheral
probe (works as a clothes pin but does not circulation, try on the lobe of the ear or even
pinch) will be placed on the finger or lobe of on the nose.
the ear. Alternatively, an adhesive probe may
be placed on your forehead or finger. The
patient will be explained what the
measurement consists of, insisting on the need
to move the finger minimally and not move the
sensor. The probe can be left in place for
continuous monitoring or can be used to obtain
a single reading. Unless continuous monitoring
is done, the probe will be removed after the
test. Carry out the measurement far from an
important light source, spotlights, etc. Clip
sensors should not compress excessively, as Fig. 10 Translucent body parts in children
they could alter the measurement. You have to
choose the device according to the size of the 1. Measurement Range
patient. There are sensors for children and • Measurement range of Oxygen Artificial
adults. Use a very deep place that completely Saturation (%): Between 0% and 100%
covers the sensor detector. • Resolution of the O2 Sat Arterial
measurement: 1%
Adults: Heart or ring fingers of the non- • Accuracy of O2 Sat Artery measurement: 2%
dominant hand. If you have a canalized radial in levels between 70% and 100% Saturation
artery, put the sensor there whenever the • Pulse measurement range: Between 30 bpm
reading is correct (thus we only immobilize and 250 bpm (beats per minute)
one hand). It can be placed on the foot (finger • Resolution of the Pulse Measurement: 1 beat
next to the fat one of the foot), but it is per minute
necessary to verify that it does not have bad • Accuracy of the pulse measurement: 2 lpm or
circulation in the lower extremities. 2% of the measurement

Benefits or Advantages of the pulse oximeter

and Disadvantages
Also the use of a pulse oximeter or oximeter is
not only for people who suffer from some kind
of disease but for those who also want to
improve their physical condition, for example

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for people who practice sports, using a finger
oximeter while training, can help them to
create an exercise routine, according to the
strength of your body.
Advantages: The pulse oximeter is a very
useful method for monitoring, but it does not
replace the information provided by arterial
blood gas, which is much more sensitive and
complete.
Advantages with respect to arterial blood
gases:
• Provides instant and continuous monitoring.
• Non-invasive or painful.
• Easy to use.
• Economically affordable.
• Portable and manageable.
Disadvantages: Disadvantages with respect to
arterial blood gases:
• Does not provide data on patient ventilation.
• Does not provide data on pH.
• Critically ill patients usually have poor
peripheral perfusion.
1. Limitations of Pulsioximetry
Alterations of hemoglobin:
• Dyes and pigments in the reading area
(painted nails). • Sources of external light.
• Peripheral hypoperfusion.
• Anemia.
• Increased venous pulse.
• Does not detect hyperoxia.
• It does not detect hyperventilation.
Current devices are very reliable, when the
patient has saturations greater than 80%. The
situations that can give rise to erroneous
readings are:
1. Severe anemia: Hemoglobin must be less
than 5 mg / dl to cause false readings.
2. Interference with other electrical devices.
3. Intravenous contrasts can interfere if they
absorb light of a wavelength similar to that of
hemoglobin.
4. Intense ambient light: xenon, infrared,
fluorescent.
5. Poor peripheral perfusion due to
environmental cold, decreased body
temperature, hypotension, vasoconstriction. It
is the most frequent cause of error since it is
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essential For the device to work, there must be
pulsatile flow. It can be improved with heat,
massage, local vasodilator therapy, removing
tight clothing, not placing the tension cuff on
the same side as the transducer.
6. The venous pulse: right heart failure or
tricuspid regurgitation.
7. The increase of the venous pulse can alter
the reading, the device must be placed above
the heart.
8. Fetal hemoglobin does not interfere.
9. Obstacles to the absorption of light: nail
polish (remove with acetone), pigmentation of
the skin (use the 4th finger or the ear lobe).
Equipment Maintenance
• Do not immerse it in water or in cleaning
solutions or sterilize it.
• Monitor the battery level
• If the sensor is for multiple use of patients, it
must be cleaned between applications
according to local regulations and
manufacturer's recommendations.
• In case of excessive ambient light
(phototherapy, xenon, infrared, fluorescent,
operating theater or fiber optic), protect the
sensor with an opaque material to avoid falsely
high values.
• If there is poor quality of the signal or
artifacts due to patient movements, relocate the
sensor to an area with less mobility.
• The optical interference produces an
inaccurate measurement in the absence of a
correct opposition between the two diodes and
part of the light does not pass through the
sensor, the curve is correct but the value
obtained.
Fix it:
• Selecting the appropriate sensor for the
patient.
• Relocating the sensor properly.
Preventive Maintenance: After the First World
War, it was stated that maintenance not only
had to correct the breakdowns, but had to
anticipate them, guaranteeing the proper
functioning of the machine.
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avoiding the delay caused by breakdowns and
their consequences, giving rise to what was
called preventive maintenance, which is what
is done, before the equipment comes into
operation, in eviction of subsequent
breakdowns, guaranteeing a period of reliable
use.
3.2 mounting on the breadboard.
FIG. 11 MOUNTING ON THE BREADBOARD
3.3 BlOCKS DIAGRAM
Fig. 3. BLOCKS DIAGRAM
4 CONCLUSIONS
• The pulse oximeter is a device that measures
the saturation of blood, so it is very important
to perform this test because it provides
information about the health of patients, it is
generally used in hospitals and at home, it can
help a patient who I would have given him an
asthma attack
III SEMESTRE
• The pulse oximeter provides a non-invasive,
easy to use, very simple technique to evaluate
the gas exchange function. Within its many
limitations, an estimate of the degree of blood
oxygenation can be obtained quickly with an
acceptable degree of accuracy for clinical
practice. It is essential that medical personnel
understand the use and limitations of the pulse
oximeter and that all medical personnel have
been given the appropriate training for a
correct application of the pulse oximeter in
practice.
• Los actuales resultados de las simulaciones y
de las medidas clínicas indican que para que
este método no invasor mida las
concentraciones de la oxihemoglobina (O2
Hb), de la hemoglobina reducida (HHb), de la
metahemoglobina (MetHb), y del
carboxihemoglobina (COHb) hace falta utilizar
al menos nueve longitudes de onda en el rango
a partir del 600 nm a 940 nm. Así se consigue
una exactitud cercana 1%.
5 REFERENCIAS
[1] John W. Severinghaus, MD,and Yoshiyuki
Honda, MD: HISTORY OF BLOOD
GAS ANALYSIS. VII. PULSE
OXlMETRY"History of Pulse Oximetry"
[2] Malloy, Daniel (9 de enero de 2008).
«Medicare may allow sleep apnea diagnoses
from home». Pittsburgh Post-Gazette..
[3] Kirk y Bistner. Urgencias en veterinaria.
Procedimientos y terapéutica. Elsevier. 8ª
edición. 2007. Disponible en:
1.5
1.1
1.2 Libros:
1.6
1.3 Luis
1.7 Jiménez -Murillo,FJ Montero. Medicina
de urgencias y emergencias: guía diagnóstica y
1.4 protocolos
1.8 ACONDICIONAMIENTO
de actuación. Elsevier. 2ª edición.
1999. Disponible en:
http://books.google.es/books?
id=_0XjCi_q5EgC&pg=PA58&dq=pulsioxime
tr
%C3%ADa&hl=es&sa=X&ei=S69pT_bjHNG
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AhQey9fywCg&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAA#v=on
epage&q=pulsioximetr%C3%ADa&f=false
Kirk y Bistner. Urgencias en veterinaria.
Procedimientos y terapéutica. Elsevier. 8ª
edición. 2007. Disponible en:
http://books.google.es/books?id=r-
ZyhTIaHXMC&pg=PA25&dq=pulsioximetr
%C3%ADa&hl=es&sa=X&ei=S69pT_bjHNG
AhQey9fywCg&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAQ#v=on
epage&q=pulsioximetr%C3%ADa&f=false