Pulse Oximetry using a Buried Quad Junction Photodetector

International audienceTraditional pulse oximeters rely on the use of red and infrared LEDs and a photodiode for measuring transmittance between tissues and estimate the functional oxygen saturation. Currently, studies are being made for the development of multiwavelength pulse oximeters in order to increase accuracy and to estimate the presence of other compounds such as carboxyhemoglobin or methemoglobin. The purpose of this work is the characterization and implementation of a pulse oximeter with a Buried Quad Junction photodetector (BQJ), which can reduce both: the number of photodetectors and the area needed for multiwavelength pulse oximetry. With this type of photodetector, it is also possible to continuously estimate oxygen saturation without the need of pulsating LED