Pulse oximeters measure oxygen saturation by analysing the light absorption of two wavelengths of light through the peripheries such as a fingertip or an ear. They’ve become pretty small and sometimes even feature Bluetooth wireless connectivity. The technology to measure oxygen saturation exists within smart phones which should lead to an array of apps that does just this. This has many implications for emergency medicine outside of the clinic environment and self-management of ones health especially in the case of chronic diseases managed in the home (more on Quantified Self coming soon here on Physiospot!). Here’s a new video that just surfaced of what looks to be the world’s first use of a smartphone as an oximeter from a Norwegian company called digiDoc Technologies:
Tags: cardiopulmonary, quantified self