Application of the Kubelka Munk equation to characterizing a reflectance pulse oximeter

A one-dimensional optical reflectance model based on the equations of P. Kubelka and F. Munk (1931) has been developed to characterize a reflectance pulse oximeter. Arterial blood volume was varied in order to simulate pulsatile changes in reflectance. It was found that the reflectance ratio versus SaO/sub 2/ (arterial oxygen saturation) varied significantly with SvO/sub 2/ (venous oxygen saturation). This effect was simulated by changes in the cardiac output. In addition, effects of changing hematocrit and venous blood volume were examined. Neither of these parameters had a significant effect on the reflectance ratio versus SaO/sub 2/ plot for the oxygen saturation range most often seen clinically (SaO/sub 2/>80%). >