[The history of oximetry].

Presently, pulsoximeters are very common devices used in every surgical operation. Unique properties of pulsoximeter (safety, accuracy, and efficiency) enable physician to monitor oxygen-transporting function of blood, which is a vitally important function of human body. The history of pulsoximetry dates back to several generations ago, researchers of many countries being involved in the invention of this device. The idea of pulsoximetry has been updated at each stage of technological progress. The history of pulsoximetry illustrates progressively increasing importance of spectrophotometric method in medicine and its perspectives for the future.