Oxygenation measurement of placenta tissue during pregnancy using near infrared spectroscopy

We have developed a wearable Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) device to measure the placental oxygenation. The device comprises of six source-detector distances to probe the oxygenation at different tissues. We have measured NIRS signals and tissue thickness in 12 healthy, singleton, pregnant volunteers (week 33.3±3.6 pregnancy). The placental oxygenation calculated for this group ranges from 68% to 89%. However, we found that the calculated placental oxygenation is positively correlated with the thickness of the fat layer. Hence, we are now performing a Monte Carlo simulation on a five-layer model to correct the effect of fat on placental oxygenation.