Abstract
Objective.To develop and test a method for standardized calibrationof pulse oximeters. Methods.A novel pulse oximeter calibrationtechnique capable of simulating the behavior of real patients is discussed.It is based on an artificial finger with a variable spectral-resolved lightattenuator in conjunction with an extensive clinical database of time-resolvedoptical transmission spectra of patients fingers in the wavelength range600–1000 nm. The arterial oxygen saturation of the patients at the timeof recording was derived by analyzing a corresponding blood sample with aCO-oximeter. These spectra are used to compute the modulation of the lightattenuator which is attached to the artificial finger. This calibration methodwas tested by arbitrarily playing back recorded spectra to pulse oximeters andcomparing their display to the value they displayed when the spectra wererecorded. Results.We were able to demonstrate that the calibratorcould generate physiological signals which are accepted by a pulse oximeter.We also present some experience of playing back recorded patient spectra. Themean difference between the original reading of the pulse oximeters and thedisplay when attached to the calibrator is 1.2 saturation points (displayedoxygen saturation SpO2) with a standard deviation of 1.9 saturationpoints. Conclusions.The tests have shown the capabilities of aspectral light modulator for use as a possible calibration standard for pulseoximeters. If some improvements of the current prototype can be achieved weconclude from the experience with the device that this novel concept for thecalibration of pulse oximeters is feasible and that it could become animportant tool for assessing the performance of pulse oximeters.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES
Chance B, Wang NG, Maris M, Nioka S, Sevick E. Quantitation of tissue optical characteristics and hemoglobin desaturation by time-and frequency-resolved multi-wavelength spectrophotometry. Adv Exp Med Biol 1992; 317: 297-304
Twersky V. Absorptions and multiple scattering by biological suspensions. J Opt Soc Am 1970; 60: 1084-1093
Graaff R, Dassel AC, Zijlstra WG, de M.u.l. FF, Aarnoudse JG. How tissue optics influences reflectance pulse oximetry. Adv Exp Med Biol 1996; 388: 117-132
Liu H, Chance B, Hielscher AH, Jacques SL, Tittel FK. Influence of blood vessels on the measurement of hemoglobin oxygenation as determined by time-resolved reflectance spectroscopy. Med Phys 1995; 22(8): 1209-1217
Yelderman M, New W. Evaluation of pulse oximetry. Anesthesiology 1983; 58: 349-352
Sendak MJ, Harris A, Donham RT. Accuracy of pulse oximetry during arterial oxyhemoglobin desaturation in dogs. Anesthesiology 1988; 68: 111-114
Severinghaus JW, Naifeh KH. Accuracy of response of six pulse oximeters to profound hypoxia. Anesthesiology 1987; 67: 551-558
Moyle JTB. Pulse oximetry, principles and practice. BMJ 1994
Munley AJ, Sik MJ, Shaw A. A test object for assessing pulse oximeters. Lancet 1989; i: 1048-1049
Volgyesi G, Kolesar R, Lerman J. An in vitro model for evaluating the accuracy of pulse oximeters. Can J Anaesth 1990; 37(Suppl): 67
Reynolds KJ, Moyle JTB, Sykes MK, Hahn CEW. Response of 10 pulse oximeters to an in vitro test system. Br J Anaesth 1992; 68: 365-369
de Kock JP, Tarassenko L. Pulse oximetry: Theoretical and experimental models. Med Biol Eng Comput 1993; 33: 291-300
Reynolds KJ, Moyle JTB, Gale LB, Sykes MK, Hahn CEW. In vitro performance test system for pulse oximeters. Med Biol Eng 1992; 30: 629-635
Leuthner T. Development system for pulse oximetry. Med Biol Eng Comput 1994; 32: 596-598
Zhou GX, Schmitt M, Walker EC. Electro-optical simulator for pulse oximeters. Med Biol Eng Comput 1993; 31: 534-539
Marble DR, Burns DH. Pulse Oximeter Simulator. Technical report. Rockville, MD: U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Science & Technology (HFZ-141) 1993
Marble DR, Burns DH, Cheung PW. Diusion-based model of pulse oximetry: In vitro and in vivo comparisons. Applied Optics 1994; 33(7): 1279-1285
Knoop P. PhD Thesis, Investigation of a Novel Method for the Calibration of Pulse Oximeters. Marburg: Tectum Verlag 1999
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hornberger, C., Knoop, P., Nahm, W. et al. A Prototype Device for Standardized Calibration of Pulse Oximeters. J Clin Monit Comput 16, 161–169 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009931527538
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009931527538