Pulse oximetry is routinely used in hospitals in high-income settings, but its theoretical basis is often poorly understood. This paper summarises the physiological background, technological basis and limitations of pulse oximetry.
Keywords: Basic Science; Physiology; Respiratory; Technology.
Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.