A smartphone's camera and flash could help people measure blood oxygen levels at home

A smartphone's camera and flash could help people measure blood oxygen levels at home

In a proof-of-principle study, researchers have shown that smartphones are capable of detecting blood oxygen saturation levels down to 70%. This is the lowest value that pulse oximeters should be able to measure, as recommended by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Smartphones Could Help People Measure Blood Oxygen Levels at Home in a “Flash”

First, pause and take a deep breath. When we breathe in, our lungs fill with air containing oxygen, which is distributed to our red blood cells for transportation throughout our bodies. To function, our bodies need a lot of oxygen, and healthy people have at least 95% oxygen saturation all the ti

A smartphone's camera and flash could help people measure blood oxygen levels at home

First, pause and take a deep breath.

A smartphone's camera and flash could help people measure blood oxygen levels at home

Monitoring the amount of oxygen in your blood could one day be done using your smartphone, shows a study by the University of California San Diego and University of Washington. Having the ability to monitor oxygen saturation at home or on the go could help patients keep an eye on conditions that make it harder for bodies to absorb oxygen from the lungs, such as asthma and COVID-19.

A smartphone’s camera and flash could help people measure blood oxygen levels at home

In a proof-of-principle study, University of Washington and University of California San Diego researchers have shown that smartphones are capable of detecting blood oxygen saturation levels down to...

A smartphone’s camera and flash could help people measure blood oxygen levels at home

Conditions like asthma or COVID-19 make it harder for bodies to absorb oxygen from the lungs. In a proof-of-principle study, University of Washington and Univer