Development of a Remote Pulse Oximeter

Abstract

Pulse oximetry is widely maintained as the standard method for measuring a person's blodd oxygen saturation. Monitoring such a vital sign allows for detecting the onset and progression of various diseases and conditions that could result in tissue and organ damage or death due to lack of required oxygen delivery. The goal of this project was to design a pulse oximeter geared toward consumer use that could wirelessly transmit data to a portable device, such as a smartphone, for convenient, remote monitoring of oxygen saturation. This report describes the design process for developing a working prototype of the pulse oximeter. Texas Instruments sponsored this project for the Interdisciplinary Engineering Design Program at the University of Arizona. Their goal in funding this project was to develop an intimate knowledge base of the considerations, components, and overall design of a pulse oximeter in order to better assist their customers. The creation of the pulse oximeter reference design was inspired by thorough research on the scientific principles underlying pulse oximetry as well as existing pulse oximeter technologies. From the information collected, the team developed three potential designs for the device. Analysis of each design was conducted to distinguish the one design that would be further developed and fabricated into the working reference design required by the project sponsor. Results obtained by testing the final prototype, discussion of future directions for the reference design, and conclusions drawn from the completion of the project are also presented in this report.