Making pulse oximeters more accurate for everyone
Supporting more accurate pulse oximetry for every patient
['FUNDING_R01'] · ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI · NIH-11159671
This research aims to improve the accuracy of pulse oximeters, which measure blood oxygen, especially for patients with higher skin melanin.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11159671 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Pulse oximeters are common devices used to check your blood oxygen levels, but current technology can sometimes give inaccurate readings, particularly for people with darker skin. This inaccuracy can lead to serious problems, like not getting the right care or being sent home when you should be hospitalized. Our team believes this issue is caused by how the device's light interacts with melanin in the skin. We are working to understand this problem better and develop new, more reliable pulse oximeters that provide accurate readings for all patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients, but its findings are intended to benefit all patients who use pulse oximeters, especially those with higher skin melanin concentrations.
Not a fit: Patients will not directly participate in this specific research, so there is no immediate direct benefit or harm from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more accurate oxygen readings for all patients, helping doctors make better decisions about care and potentially saving lives.
How similar studies have performed: While the overestimation problem is well-documented, this research offers a novel explanation for the error and proposes a new approach to eliminate it, building on the team's pilot findings.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: REA, MARK S — ICAHN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AT MOUNT SINAI
- Study coordinator: REA, MARK S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.