The History of Pulse Oximetry Measurement
Invented in 1972 in Japan by Takuo Aoyagi, it is based on the observations of the colour change of blood when mixed with oxygen, and a technique called photoplethysmography
pulse oximetry
What is Pulse Oximetry? How does it work?
The recent COVID pandemic saw a rise in advice about using a pulse oximeter to help assess your health. Here we answer the question “What is Pulse Oximetry?”
The Fascinating History of Photoplethysmography
The Photoplethysmogram, or PPG was first observed in 1936, by Alrick B. Hertzman who coined the term “Photoelectric Plethysmograph” due to the fact that the technique relied on using a light source and photocell (Photoelectric) to observe the light interaction with tissue. Hertzman theorized the regular pulsations that were seen could only be caused by the changing volume of blood in tissue synchronous with the beating of the heart (Plethysmograph). The term has more or less stuck, now shortened simply to Photoplethysmography or PPG.