Pulse Oximetry in the External Auditory Canal– A New Method of Mobile Vital Monitoring

In this paper, we introduce a new sensor technology for measuring plethysmographic parameters, i.e., for pulse oximetry, particularly in mobile people. The sensor uses the auditory canal as a measuring site, plus a novel light path through the tissue of the auditory canal's wall for continuously and reliably measuring arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate under mobile conditions. Measurements with this sensor technology reveal a good ratio in combination with excellent signal quality - ideal prerequisites to make pulse oximetry a continuous unobtrusive mobile monitoring technology.