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Audio spectrum and sound pressure levels vary between pulse oximeters

[Le spectre audible et les niveaux de pression sonore varient entre sphygmo-oxymètres]

Deven Chandra, MD^*, Michael J. Tessler, MD and John Usher, BEng

^* From the Department of Anesthesia, McGill University;
the Department of Anesthesia, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, and McGill University; and
the Faculty of Music, Multichannel Audio Research Laboratory, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.

Address correspondence to: Dr. Michael J. Tessler, Room A-335, Department of Anesthesia, Sir Mortimer B. Davis-Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Cote-Ste-Catherine Road, Montréal, Québec H3T 1E2, Canada. Phone: 514-340-8222, ext. 5701; E-mail: mtessler{at}ana.jgh.mcgill.ca

Purpose: The variable-pitch pulse oximeter is an important intraoperative patient monitor. Our ability to hear its auditory signal depends on its acoustical properties and our hearing. This study quantitatively describes the audio spectrum and sound pressure levels of the monitoring tones produced by five variable-pitch pulse oximeters.

Methods: We compared the Datex-Ohmeda Capnomac Ultima, Hewlett-Packard M1166A, Datex-Engstrom AS/3, Ohmeda Biox 3700, and Datex-Ohmeda 3800 oximeters. Three machines of each of the five models were assessed for sound pressure levels (using a precision sound level meter) and audio spectrum (using a hanning windowed fast Fourier trans-form of three beats at saturations of 99%, 90%, and 85%).

Results: The widest range of sound pressure levels was produced by the Hewlett-Packard M1166A (46.5 ± 1.74 dB to 76.9 ± 2.77 dB). The loudest model was the Datex-Engstrom AS/3 (89.2 ± 5.36 dB). Three oximeters, when set to the lower ranges of their volume settings, were indistinguishable from background operating room noise. Each model produced sounds with different audio spectra. Although each model produced a fundamental tone with multiple harmonic overtones, the number of harmonics varied with each model; from three harmonic tones on the Hewlett-Packard M1166A, to 12 on the Ohmeda Biox 3700. There were variations between models, and individual machines of the same model with respect to the fundamental tone associated with a given saturation.

Conclusion: There is considerable variance in the sound pressure and audio spectrum of commercially-available pulse oximeters. Further studies are warranted in order to establish standards.