By Ben Coxworth
May 06, 2024
https://newatlas.com/medical/blood-oxyg ... or-breath/
A new sensor could soon allow hospital patients' blood oxygen levels to be checked via their breath. The technology is claimed to be more reliable and less painful than existing traditional methods.
Blood delivers life-sustaining oxygen to the organs and tissues throughout our body.
Therefore, if there isn't enough oxygen in that blood, serious damage may occur to the brain, heart or other areas – potentially resulting in the death of the patient. It's also possible for blood oxygen levels to be too high, causing damage to the lungs.
With such risks in mind, doctors typically monitor critical patients' blood oxygen levels via devices known as pulse oximeters. These clamp onto the end of one finger, where they use light to determine how much oxygen is currently in the bloodstream.
Because pulse oximeters aren't 100% reliable, doctors will sometimes also draw and analyze blood samples. While this technique is a more accurate indicator of blood oxygen levels, it may also be painful and distressing to the patient. It also doesn't provide real-time or continuous readings.