Approaches to Inflight Ear Oximetry.

The USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, as part of its ongoing research in aircrew physiological response, has been interested in the capability of noninvasive measurement of arterial blood oxygen saturation during flying operations. This report addresses ear oximetry techniques as one of the candidate technologies for that measurement. A brief review of the history and present state-of-the-art of ear oximetry is presented. Related and alternate technologies for measurement of arterial blood oxygen saturation are also discussed. The study concludes that the current state-of-the-art of ear oximetry does not yield itself to development of a noninvasive measurement device that satisfies the severely restrictive constraints of size, weight, and power consumption required by inflight applications. The report recommends that related or alternate technologies, include transcutaneous oxygen electrodes, be investigated. Author