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Method of enhancing performance in pulse oximetry via electrical stimulation

  • US 5,916,154 A
  • Filed: 04/22/1998
  • Issued: 06/29/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1998
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of optically measuring a characteristic of a patient'"'"'s blood or tissue comprising the steps of:

  • (a) passing a current through a tissue segment of a patient, the tissue segment having blood flow therethrough, including the steps of placing a pair of electrodes on the patient'"'"'s skin at a distance apart of up to about twelve inches, and passing the current through the electrodes and the tissue segment therebetween in order to increase the blood flow through the tissue segment without the use of chemical irritants or perfusion enhancing solutions;

    (b) transmitting light into a test site in the tissue segment during the time of the increased blood flow; and

    (c) detecting light adjacent the test site as a parameter indicative of the characteristic to be measured.

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