Conexiant
Login
  • The Analytical Scientist
  • The Cannabis Scientist
  • The Medicine Maker
  • The Ophthalmologist
  • The Pathologist
  • The Traditional Scientist
The Analytical Scientist
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Latest
    • News & Research
    • Trends & Challenges
    • Keynote Interviews
    • Opinion & Personal Narratives
    • Product Profiles
    • App Notes

    Featured Topics

    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Chromatography
    • Spectroscopy

    Issues

    • Latest Issue
    • Archive
  • Topics

    Techniques & Tools

    • Mass Spectrometry
    • Chromatography
    • Spectroscopy
    • Microscopy
    • Sensors
    • Data & AI

    • View All Topics

    Applications & Fields

    • Clinical
    • Environmental
    • Food, Beverage & Agriculture
    • Pharma & Biopharma
    • Omics
    • Forensics
  • People & Profiles

    People & Profiles

    • Power List
    • Voices in the Community
    • Sitting Down With
    • Authors & Contributors
  • Business & Education

    Business & Education

    • Innovation
    • Business & Entrepreneurship
    • Career Pathways
  • Events
    • Live Events
    • Webinars
  • Multimedia
    • Video
Subscribe
Subscribe

False

The Analytical Scientist / Issues / 2019 / Feb / A Flexible Friend
Sensors News and Research Technology Clinical

A Flexible Friend

Blood-oxygen sensors get bendy

By Joanna Cummings 02/06/2019 1 min read

Share

What?

A flexible 3D-printed sensor array that can determine oxygen saturation in blood in real-time, providing an “early warning signal” for hypoxemia (oxygen deficiency in arterial blood).

How?

Comprising organic light-emitting diodes and photo-diodes, the sensor passes two wavelengths of light through the body. Oxygen-rich blood absorbs more infrared light, while blood below the patient’s oxygen baseline will absorb more red light.

Why?

The researchers wanted to devise a lightweight alternative to the bulky finger-clip sensors that are used currently. The flexibility of the array also means it can be placed in various locations on the body, increasing the potential applications.

Who?

The research was conducted by a team at University of California, Berkeley (1). It was supported by the Cambridge Display Technology Limited and by Intel Corporation via Semiconductor Research Corporation.

What next?

The researchers believe the sensor can be used to assess wound healing, as well as conditions such as sleep apnea and diabetes.

Why?

The researchers wanted to devise a lightweight alternative to the bulky finger-clip sensors that are used currently. The flexibility of the array also means it can be placed in various locations on the body, increasing the potential applications.

Who?

The research was conducted by a team at University of California, Berkeley (1). It was supported by the Cambridge Display Technology Limited and by Intel Corporation via Semiconductor Research Corporation.

What next?

The researchers believe the sensor can be used to assess wound healing, as well as conditions such as sleep apnea and diabetes.

Newsletters

Receive the latest analytical science news, personalities, education, and career development – weekly to your inbox.

Newsletter Signup Image

References

  1. Y Khan et al., “A flexible organic reflectance oximeter array”, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 115 [Epub before print] (2018). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1813053115

About the Author(s)

Joanna Cummings

A former library manager and storyteller, I have wanted to write for magazines since I was six years old, when I used to make my own out of foolscap paper and sellotape and distribute them to my family. Since getting my MSc in Publishing, I’ve worked as a freelance writer and content creator for both digital and print, writing on subjects such as fashion, food, tourism, photography – and the history of Roman toilets.

More Articles by Joanna Cummings

False

Advertisement

Recommended

False

False

The Analytical Scientist
Subscribe

About

  • About Us
  • Work at Conexiant Europe
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 Texere Publishing Limited (trading as Conexiant), with registered number 08113419 whose registered office is at Booths No. 1, Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford, England, WA16 8GS.