Why is digital signal processing useful in pulse oximetry?
With traditional pulse oximetry technologies, photo-plethysmogram signals are absent or too weak to be interpreted for > 10 minutes in 9.2% of all surgical procedures. Intra-operative predictors of pulse oximetry failure are: ASA Physical Status > 2 Orthopedic, vascular or cardiac surgery Hypothermia < 34 C Hypotension (mean arterial pressure < 70 mmHg) Hypertension (mean arterial pressure > 110 mmHG) Prolonged duration of surgery (> 2 hours) The goal of digital signal processing in pulse oximetry is to improve the performance of pulse oximeters during many of the problem low perfusion scenarios documented by Reich as listed below.
