Exploring the bias: how skin color influences oxygen saturation readings via Monte Carlo simulations.

ABSTRACT:

Significance

Our goal is to understand the root cause of reported oxygen saturation ( SpO2 ) overestimation in heavily pigmented skin types to devise solutions toward enabling equity in pulse oximeter designs.

Aim

We aim to gain theoretical insights into the effect of skin tone on SpO2-R curves using a three-dimensional, four-layer tissue model representing a finger.

Approach

A finger tissue model, comprising the epidermis, dermis, two arteries, and a bone, was developed using a Monte Carlo-based approach in the MCmatlab software. Two skin tones-light and dark-were simulated by adjusting the absorption and scattering properties within the epidermal layer. Following this, SpO2-R curves were generated in various tissue configurations, including transmission and reflecti

SUBMITTER: Narayana Swamy SK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11358849 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature