An overview of
Nellcor™ pulse oximetry

MedEd Learning Experience podcast

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Our new MedEd podcast series provides brief, interview-style discussions with clinical experts. Our overview the Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology includes presentations from Sam Ajizian, M.D., CMO of Patient Monitoring Medtronic; John Gallagher, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, TCRN, RRT, FCCM, Professor; Francis Payne Bolton, School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University; and Jake Dove, PhD, Senior Principal R&D Engineer at Medtronic.

The presentations include topics like the history and evolution of pulse oximetry, the design and calibration of the Nellcor™ technology, the clinical utilization of pulse oximetry, and how skin pigmentation influences the accuracy and clinical application of pulse oximetry. The goal of this program is to get closer to the patient and delve into the challenges and impact of each technology in practice. 

Part 1: The past, present, and future of Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology

For this segment, we will discuss the history, development work, and ongoing research dedicated to Nellcor™ pulse oximetry technology. To help provide insight into this topic is Sam Ajizian, M.D. and CMO of Patient Monitoring Medtronic.

Podcast: 01 Past, present, and future of Nellcor pulse oximetry technology - (05:05)

Part 2: The fundamentals of pulse oximetry

For this segment, we will discuss the measurement of SpO2 and pulse rate, pulse oximetry accuracy standards, and the patient factors that can impact SpO2 and pulse rate accuracy. To help provide insight into this topic is John Gallagher, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, TCRN, RRT, FCCM, and Professor, Frances Payne, Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

Podcast: 02 Clinical fundamentals of pulse oximetry technology - (17:10)

Part 3: The technical fundamentals of pulse oximetry

For this segment, we will learn how pulse oximetry uses near infrared light to detect the cardiac induced pulsatile signal of arterial blood and then measures the percentage of oxygenated hemoglobin in arterial blood. To help provide insight into this topic is Jake Dove, PhD, Senior Principal R&D Engineer at Medtronic.

Podcast: 03 Technical fundamentals of pulse oximetry technology - (08:50)

Part 4: Impact of skin pigmentation & clinical practice implications

For this segment, we will review the evidence evaluating the effect of skin pigmentation on the accuracy of pulse oximetry and consider the consequences for clinical practice. To help provide insight into this topic is John Gallagher, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN-K, TCRN, RRT, FCCM,  and Professor, Frances Payne, Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.

Podcast: 04 Impact of skin pigmentation - (16:58)

Part 5: Pulse oximetry and the impact of skin pigmentation on the technology

For this segment, we will discuss how skin pigmentation influences the amount of detectable light available to the pulse oximetry sensor. To help provide insight into this topic is Jake Dove, PhD, Senior Principal R&D Engineer at Medtronic.

Podcast: 05 Pulse oximetry and the impact of skin pigmentation on the technology - (16:02)

Part 6: Engineering Nellcor™ pulse oximetry, from sensor design to calibration and everything in between (part 1)

For this segment, we will review how the various components of the Nellcor™ pulse oximetry system contribute to the quick and accurate acquisition of the true pulsatile signal. To help provide insight into this topic is Jake Dove, PhD, Senior Principal R&D Engineer at Medtronic.

Podcast: 06 Correcting patient-ventilator asynchrony during inspiration in PC-AC recording - (10:27)

Part 7: Engineering Nellcor™ pulse oximetry, from sensor design to calibration and everything in between (part 2)

For this segment, we will learn how Nellcor™ pulse oximetry converts the true pulsatile signal to accurate SpO2 measurements. To help provide insight into this topic is Jake Dove, PhD, Senior Principal R&D Engineer at Medtronic.

Podcast: 07 Engineering Nellcor™ pulse oximetry, from sensor design to calibration and everything in between (part 2) - (13:35)

The Nellcor™ pulse oximetry monitoring system should not be used as the sole basis for diagnosis or therapy and is intended only as an adjunct in patient assessment.