# Development and Metrological Characterization of Low-Cost Wearable Pulse Oximeter

## TL;DR

This paper introduces a low-cost wearable pulse oximeter that improves accuracy and reduces motion artifacts while being significantly cheaper than commercial models.

## Contribution

The novel design combines 3D-printed components and a reflectance-based approach to create an affordable and accurate pulse oximeter.

## Key findings

- The prototype achieves accuracy comparable to commercial devices like the GIMA Oxy-50.
- Production costs are reduced to about one-tenth of commercial alternatives.
- The device performs reliably in environments with ambient light interference.

## Abstract

Pulse oximetry is essential for monitoring arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) in various medical scenarios. However, the traditional pulse oximeters face challenges related to high costs, motion artifacts, and susceptibility to ambient light interference. This work presents a low-cost experimental pulse oximeter prototype designed to address these limitations through design advancements. The device incorporates a 3D-printed finger support to minimize motion artifacts and excessive capillary pressure, along with an elastic element to enhance stability. Unlike conventional transmission-based oximetry, the prototype employs a reflectance-based measurement approach, improving versatility and enabling reliable readings even in cases of poor peripheral perfusion. Additionally, the integration of light-shielding materials mitigates the effects of ambient illumination, ensuring accurate operation in challenging environments such as surgical settings. Metrological characterization demonstrates that the prototype achieves accuracy comparable to that of the commercial GIMA Oxy-50 pulse oximeter while maintaining a production cost at approximately one-tenth of the commercial alternatives. This study highlights the potential of the prototype to deliver affordable and reliable pulse oximetry for different applications.