Clinical evaluation of a new finger oximeter.

Noninvasive measurements of oxygen saturation are used in ICUs, during exercise and sleep studies, and in the operating room. Traditionally, ear oximetry has been used to assess oxygen saturation during a variety of clinical situations. This study evaluates a new oximeter which takes its signal from the finger bed. It was tested in normal volunteers during rapid depletion of inspired oxygen, and in critically ill ICU patients requiring oxygen by nasal cannulas or masks or by mechanical ventilation. The new oximeter possessed accuracy equivalent to a standard ear oximeter and to oxygen saturation determined from direct blood measurements.