Zynex Inc (NASDAQ:ZYXI) announced findings from study demonstrating that its NiCO laser pulse oximeter eliminates the impact of skin pigmentation on blood oxygenation (SpO2) measurements.
The University of California, San Francisco-led study compared Zynex’s NiCO device to conventional LED-based pulse oximeters. Results showed that the NiCO pulse oximeter maintained accuracy across pigmentation levels, whereas LED pulse oximeters measured falsely higher SpO2 levels for darker-skinned participants, particularly at lower oxygen saturation levels.
Zynex’s NiCO pulse oximeter employs laser technology to measure blood oxygenation directly, unlike LED-based devices, which estimate oxygen levels.
The study included 18 participants—nine with dark skin pigmentation and nine with lighter pigmentation. Four NiCO devices and two LED-based pulse oximeters were tested on each participant in a controlled desaturation environment.
Findings were presented at the Anesthesiology 2024 conference held by the American Society of Anesthesiologists in Philadelphia.
“These findings reconfirm earlier results at Duke University, showcasing that our laser-based technology significantly reduces racial disparities in clinical decision-making,” said Donald Gregg, president of Zynex Monitoring Solutions.
Gregg cited a 2022 study by Harvard Medical School researchers that linked inaccuracies in LED pulse oximeters to disparities in care. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, highlighted that Black, Hispanic, and Asian ICU patients often received less supplemental oxygen due to overestimated SpO2 levels detected by LED-based devices.
“Our NiCO device’s precision and safety have the potential to revolutionize clinical care, addressing inequities and improving outcomes,” added Gregg.