Tissue Oxygen Distribution by Pulse Oximetry

Technology Description

Current pulse oximetry technology yields information that represents the average amount of oxygen saturation in the blood for all blood vessels, arterioles, capillaries, and venules. This method does not differentiate between arterioles and the rest of the microvascular components. UC San Diego researchers have developed a novel pulse oximetry methodology for determining the specific distribution of oxygen in the blood vessels.

Applications

Changes in the normal pattern of specific oxygen distribution is indicative of abnormalities or pathology, for example local vasoconstriction or insufficiency of oxygen delivery to the blood.