Faster Detection of Oxygen Saturation Changes with a Single-Patient-Use Sensor Designed for the Ear Conchae
Due to the signal processing limitations of conventional pulse oximetry during challenging conditions, clinicians often seek alternative monitoring sites on the head. In spite of the established need, available single-patient-use sensors for the head have suffered from unreliability.
While Masimo SET Measure-through Motion and Low Perfusion pulse oximetry overcomes the limitations of conventional pulse oximetry and offers reliable true alarm detection and false alarm prevention during challenging conditions, there are still some advantages to monitoring on the head such as faster response to oxygenation changes during low perfusion and the use of an alternative site when the digit is unavailable.
As a single-patient-use ear sensor that is placed securely in the cavum conchae (the deep hollow near the ear canal opening), the E1 allows clinicians to combine Masimo SET performance with a reliable alternative monitoring site while minimizing cross-contamination.
Advantages of Single-Patient-Use versus Reusable Sensors
- Avoids cross-contamination risks
- Reduces complexity of reusable sensor management (cleaning, storage, inter-departmental transport)
Advantages of Head versus Digit Monitoring
- Faster detection of desaturation / resaturation compared to digit sensors during low perfusion
- Provides alternate monitoring site with easy access during surgery, resuscitation, in patients with finger deformities, or when digit access is not possible
- Offers reliable measurements during extremely low perfusion when Masimo Max Sensitivity setting is not enabled
- Allows for hands-free monitoring
Advantages of Ear versus Forehead Monitoring
- Alleviates known accuracy limitations of forehead sensors including venous pulsations and when patients are in a supine or trendelenburg position
- Provides alternate to digit sensor when forehead site is unavailable (brain function monitoring, cerebral oxygenation monitoring, or neck stabilization during trauma)
Advantages of Cavum Conchae versus Ear Lobe Monitoring
- Stays in place more securely than traditional clip-style sensors on ear lobe
- Sensor location offers better perfusion than ear lobe for superior signal quality
