How Pulse Oximetry Figures Out Your Blood Oxygen Levels
Pulse oximeters are essential devices used to measure blood oxygen levels and pulse rates. They operate by using two LEDs and a photodiode to analyze how light is absorbed by different types of hemoglobin in the blood. The technology was developed by Takuo Aoyagi in the 1970s and has become a standard tool in medical settings.
- ▪Pulse oximeters clip onto a patient's finger and provide quick readings of oxygen saturation and pulse rate.
- ▪The device uses red and infrared light to determine the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen in the blood.
- ▪Takuo Aoyagi invented the pulse oximeter in 1972, improving upon earlier methods that required invasive procedures.
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| Original publisher | Hackaday |
| Canonical URL | https://hackaday.com/2026/05/19/how-pulse-oximetry-figures-out-your-blood-oxygen-levels/ |
| Publication time | Tue, 19 May 2026 17:00:07 +0000 |
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How Pulse Oximetry Figures Out Your Blood Oxygen Levels No comments by: Zoe Skyforest May 19, 2026 Title: Copy Short Link: Copy If you’ve ever had a medical team investigating cardiac issues, you’ve probably had a bunch of electrodes stuck all over your chest and been hooked up to an electrocardiogram. This is the gold standard when it comes to understanding electrical activity in the heart and can diagnose a great many conditions. However, sometimes doctors just need the basic information—your pulse rate, and whether or not there’s actually any oxygen in your blood. Thankfully, there’s a cheap and simple device that can offer that exact information. It’s the pulse oximeter, and it’s a key piece of equipment that’s just about vital for monitoring vitals.
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