PULSE OXIMETRY

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Pulse Oximetry
Pulse oximetry is regarded as a painless and also noninvasive test in which its sole purpose is able to measure the oxygen saturation level or in other words, the oxygen levels that are currently present in the blood. As such, it is equipped with the ability to be able to detect even the slightest changes in the efficient use of oxygen in far-reaching areas of the body from the heart such as arms and legs. Regarding its area of use, it has been recorded that it is mainly used in emergency rooms or hospitals where there is some level of urgency and critical care being administered.
The “first original oximeter was designed and made by Glenn A. Millikan in the 1940s” (Tremper, 713). To obtain an absolute saturation level of oxygen when blood was squeezed and removed from the ear and readmitted, in 1949, Wood decided to add a pressure capsule which was an upgrade to the original oximeter. This concept was complex to implement even though it is similar to today’s conventional pulse oximetry. However, the method is clinically not in use today. Another upgrade to the pulse oximetry took place in 1964, where Shaw managed to assemble the first working “absolute reading ear oximeter” which was operating by the use of “8 – wavelengths of light.” “In 1972, an improvement on the oximeter was made by Takuo Aoyagi and Michio Kishi” (Tremper, 714). It was working under the principle of “the ratio of red to be able to infrared the light absorption which was coming from the pulsating components at the measuring site” (Tremper, 714).

This invention was commercialized in 1980 by Biox. As such, by 1987, “the standard of care in the U.S in the administration of general anesthetic comprised of the pulse oximetry” (Tremper, 715).
Works cited
Tremper, Kevin K. “Pulse oximetry.” Chest 95.4 (1989): 713-715.