Novel transcutaneous sensor combining optical tcPO(2) and electrochemical tcPCO(2) monitoring with reflectance pulse oximetry

This study investigated the accuracy, drift, and clinical usefulness of a new optical transcutaneous oxygen tension (tcPO(2)) measuring technique, combined with a conventional electrochemical transcutaneous carbon dioxide (tcPCO(2)) measurement and reflectance pulse oximetry in the novel transcutaneous OxiVenT™ Sensor. In vitro gas studies were performed to measure accuracy and drift of tcPO(2) and tcPCO(2). Clinical usefulness for tcPO(2) and tcPCO(2) monitoring was assessed in neonates. In healthy adult volunteers, measured oxygen saturation values (SpO(2)) were compared with arterially sampled oxygen saturation values (SaO(2)) during controlled hypoxemia. In vitro correlation and agreement with gas mixtures of tcPO(2) (r = 0.999, bias 3.0 mm Hg, limits of agreement − 6.6 to 4.9 mm Hg) and tcPCO(2) (r = 0.999, bias 0.8 mm Hg, limits of agreement − 0.7 to 2.2 mm Hg) were excellent. In vitro drift was negligible for tcPO(2) (0.30 (0.63 SD) mm Hg/24 h) and highly acceptable for tcPCO(2) (− 2.53 (1.04 SD) mm Hg/12 h). Clinical use in neonates showed good usability and feasibility. SpO(2)-SaO(2) correlation (r = 0.979) and agreement (bias 0.13%, limits of agreement − 3.95 to 4.21%) in healthy adult volunteers were excellent. The investigated combined tcPO(2), tcPCO(2), and SpO(2) sensor with a new oxygen fluorescence quenching technique is clinically usable and provides good overall accuracy and negligible tcPO(2) drift. Accurate and low-drift tcPO(2) monitoring offers improved measurement validity for long-term monitoring of blood and tissue oxygenation. [Figure: see text]