Forehead Sensor Detects Hypoxemia Earlier

An adhesive forehead sensor displays changes in SpO2 faster than digit sensors during poor perfusion conditions, allowing clinicians to intervene sooner.

Called the Max-Fast, the sensor is based on the principle that arterial blood traveling from the heart reaches the head much sooner than the hands in poorly perfused patients. The time difference between the forehead and finger sites can be significant. A study presented at the Society of Critical Care Medicine's 31st Critical Care Congress, in San Diego (CA, USA), found than the Max-Fast sensor responded to changes in SpO2 typically one to two minutes sooner than digit sensors for patients with low perfusion. The Max-Fast sensor also provides doctors with a more accurate picture of the magnitude of transient desaturations, says Nellcor (Pleasanton, CA, USA; www.nellcor.com), which developed the product. Also, the Max-Fast is the first sensor approved for use in mechanically ventilated patients.

The new sensor can be used with any OxiMax monitor from Nellcor, such as the Nellcor N-595 pulse oximeter. A digital memory chip embedded in the MaxFast sensor enables it to "talk” with the OxiMax monitor, where clinical information is displayed. The sensor's Event Report feature allows alarm history stored in the sensor to travel with the patient for quick assessment at various points of care throughout the hospital.

"We firmly believe that more centrally placed head sensors may offer significant advantage over finger sensors when monitoring patients with low perfusion or in situations where rapid detection of hypoxemia is critical,” said Donald E. Bebout, Ph.D.




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