Abstract
Purpose
Interference on pulse oximetry can come from many sources. We found an additional source of interference from the Stealth Station. This article gives an overview of sources of pulse oximeter interference so that clinicians can better prevent them.
Technical features
This article discusses the infrared disturbances caused by the Stealth Station. The Stealth Station is a frameless stereotactic positioning system that utilizes a three dimensional location system to measure the position of the patient and the surgical tools, and to relate those positions to previously recorded imaging. To understand the disturbance caused by the Stealth Station, we discuss its operation and that of pulse oximeter monitors. Pulse oximeter interference can come from volume artifacts, electrical and light noise, and can be caused by issues related to the patient. Because the passive Stealth Station contains a strong infrared light source, interference caused by light is a likely reason for the interference we noted. Pulse oximeters rely on the timevariant light signal modulated by arterial volume variations in the finger. Although relatively immune to static light sources, pulse oximeters are extremely sensitive to time-varying light sources. The light emitted by the passive Stealth Station is time-varying at 4 Hz and this is causing the pulse oximeter to provide invalid results. Shielding can generally be used to stop the light from the Stealth Station from being picked up by the pulse oximeter sensor.
Conclusion
Infrared light interference can be very common, but is easily dealt with if one is aware of it.
Objectif
L’interférence sur la sphygmo-oxymétrie peut provenir de nombreuses sources, dont une nouvelle provenant de la Stealth Station. Nous présentons un aperçu des interférences avec le sphygmo-oxymètre, ce qui permettra aux cliniciens de la prévenir.
Caractéristiques techniques
La Stealth Station est un système de positionnement stéréotaxique sans cadre qui utilise un système de repérage en trois dimensions pour mesurer la position réelle du patient et des instruments chirurgicaux et pour relier cette position à des images virtuelles préalablement enregistrées.L’interférence avec le sphygmo-oxymètre peut provenir d’artéfacts volumique, des produits électriques et de légers bruits et elle peut être causée par des problèmes reliés au patient. Comme la Stealth Station passive contient une puissante source de lumière à infrarouges, c’est une raison probable de l’interférence notée. Les sphygmo-oxymètres dépendent du signal lumineux variable dans le temps qui est modulé par les variations du volume artériel dans le doigt. Bien que relativement soustraits aux sources de lumière statiques, les sphygmo-oxymètres sont extrêmement sensibles aux sources de lumière variables dans le temps. La lumière émise par la Stealth Station passive varie dans le temps à 4 Hz, ce qui invalide certains résultats au sphygmooxymètre. Une protection peut généralement être utilisée pour empêcher la lumière provenant de la Stealth Station d’être captée par le détecteur du sphygmo-oxymètre.
Conclusion
L’interférence de la lumière infrarouge peut se rencontrer souvent, mais on peut facilement la contourner pourvu qu’on en prenne conscience.
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van Oostrom, J.H., Mahla, M.E. & Gravenstein, D. The Stealth Station Image Guidance System may interfere with pulse oximetry. Can J Anesth 52, 379–382 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03016280
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03016280