Evaluation of a combined reflectance photoplethysmography and laser Doppler flowmetry surface probe

This study presents evaluation of a system combining laser Doppler flowmetry and photoplethysmography (PPG) in a single probe for the simultaneous measurement of perfusion and blood flow in the finger. A cuff sphygmomanometer was used to partially occlude the arteries supplying the hand to investigate the effect of low pressure on photoplethysmographic and laser Doppler signals and also on calculated arterial blood oxygen saturation values (SpO₂). Red and infrared PPG and Doppler signals were recorded from six healthy volunteers at various pressures. Good quality signals were recorded in all subjects at low cuff pressures; however both PPG and Doppler signals showed a gradual decrease in amplitude at higher pressures. SpO₂ values calculated from the PPG signals showed higher deviation from measurements made on the contralateral hand using a commercial pulse oximeter at higher cuff pressures.