New Type of Pulse Oximeter

Here is an interesting new piece of equipment for those doing sedation. Instead of monitoring oxygen levels in the finger this device monitors them in the brain.

The INVOS System

The INVOS® System is the first and only patient monitoring system commercially available in the U.S. that noninvasively and continuously monitors changes in the regional oxygen saturation of the blood in the brain.

The INVOS Cerebral Oximeter system consists of disposable, single-patient use SomaSensors, an INVOS monitor display and associated accessories.

The INVOS Cerebral Oximeter system monitors changes in regional saturation of oxygen, or rSO2, within a sample of blood in the cerebral cortex. Changes in INVOS (In Vivo Optical Spectroscopy) values monitor the critical balance between oxygen delivery and cerebral consumption.

The INVOS Cerebral Oximeter measurement is made by noninvasively transmitting and detecting harmless, low intensity and near infrared light through SomaSensors that are placed on both sides of a patient's forehead.

Use of the patient monitoring system allows medical professionals to monitor changes in cortical blood oxygen saturation and take corrective action. Research and clinical experience indicates that such action can prevent or reduce neurological injuries associated with surgery and other critical cares situations, and therefore, reduce the cost of care.

The INVOS Cerebral Oximeter system is now available for adult and pediatric monitoring in the US and in many international markets.