Device Performance Challenge

About this challenge

Applications are now closed

The Open Oximetry Project was created to improve the safety and accuracy of pulse oximeters in all populations. We recognize that many teams around the world are working to create new technologies and have need to validate them in human subjects. However, we also know that such tests can be difficult to access either do to cost or production timelines.

The Open Oximetry Project solicited applications from teams building pulse oximeter technology that specifically aims to improve global health equity. A limited number of applicants will be selected to receive free performance validation studies at the UCSF Hypoxia Lab in accordance with the 2022 ISO Standard.

Congratulations to the finalists and runners-up!

Congratulations to the finalists!

Finalists were selected based on the potential to improve global health equity and are listed below in alphabetical order.

1. The EquiVitals Device: This patent-pending pulse oximeter device that computes several vital signs, including oxygen saturation, respiration rate, heart rate, heart rate variability, and signal quality index was developed in the Advanced Integrated Circuits and Systems Lab at Tufts University under the direction of Dr. Valencia Koomson. The device has the following features: (1) signal-to-noise enhancement to improve accuracy for all skin tones, (2) user feedback to indicate correct sensor placement, and (3) signal quality index for classification.
2.  The Franklin Research Lab Device: The team at the Franklin Research Lab, Dr. Dan Franklin and PhD students, Megh Rathod and Jonathan Wu, developed wearable sensors that quantify skin constituents and improve pulse oximeter accuracy across skin tones. This device implements on-skin spectroscopy and operates on two concepts, 1) that additional wavelengths beyond the two used in conventional pulse oximetry allow quantification of additional chromophores (melanin, bilirubin, total hemoglobin, etc.), and 2) the varying penetration depth of these wavelengths enables measurement of pulse wave dynamics and skin perfusion.
3. The mobile phone-based reflectance pulse oximeter: This inexpensive device has been developed by Mike Bernstein and Eric McCollum to be embedded within an electronic health DHIS2 platform for real-time hypoxemia diagnosis and surveillance of children in LMICs. The device can be placed on an the arm, forehead, or palm.