Katsuyuki Miyasaka1, Kirk Shelley2, Shosuke Takahashi3, Hironami Kubota4, Kazumasa Ito5, Ikuto Yoshiya6, Akio Yamanishi7, Jeffrey B Cooper8, David J Steward9, Hiroshi Nishida10, Joe Kiani11, Hirokazu Ogino12, Yasuhiko Sata13, Robert J Kopotic14, Kitty Jenkin15, Alex Hannenberg15, Atul Gawande15. 1. St. Luke's International University, 3-4-2-3602 Toyosu, Koto-ku, Tokyo, 135-0061, Japan. katsmiyasaka@mac.com. 2. Department of Anesthesiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA. 3. Kyushu University, Medical Corporation Soseikai, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka, Japan. 4. K and K Japan Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan. 5. Vital Sign Sensor Technology Development Division, Technology Development Operations, Nihon Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. 6. Department of Anesthesiology, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan. 7. Medical Equipment Division, Minolta Camera Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Co., Ltd., at present), Tokyo, Japan. 8. Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine Center for Medical Simulation, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. 9. Department of Anaesthesia and Pharmacology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada. 10. Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. 11. Masimo & Patient Safety Movement Foundation, Irvine, CA, USA. 12. Nihon Kohden Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. 13. Tokibo, Inc, Tokyo, Japan. 14. Critical Care Manager of Clinical and Medical Affairs, Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA, USA. 15. Lifebox Foundation, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Dr. Takuo Aoyagi invented pulse oximetry in 1974. Pulse oximeters are widely used worldwide, most recently making headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Aoyagi passed away on April 18, 2020, aware of the significance of his invention, but still actively searching for the theory that would take his invention to new heights. METHOD: Many people who knew Dr. Aoyagi, or knew of him and his invention, agreed to participate in this tribute to his work. The authors, from Japan and around the world, represent all aspects of the development of medical devices, including scientists and engineers, clinicians, academics, business people, and clinical practitioners. RESULTS: While the idea of pulse oximetry originated in Japan, device development lagged in Japan due to a lack of business, clinical, and academic interest. Awareness of the importance of anesthesia safety in the US, due to academic foresight and media attention, in combination with excellence in technological innovation, led to widespread use of pulse oximetry around the world. CONCLUSION: Dr. Aoyagi's final wish was to find a theory of pulse oximetry. We hope this tribute to him and his invention will inspire a new generation of scientists, clinicians, and related organizations to secure the foundation of the theory.
INTRODUCTION: Dr. Takuo Aoyagi invented pulse oximetry in 1974. Pulse oximeters are widely used worldwide, most recently making headlines during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Aoyagi passed away on April 18, 2020, aware of the significance of his invention, but still actively searching for the theory that would take his invention to new heights. METHOD: Many people who knew Dr. Aoyagi, or knew of him and his invention, agreed to participate in this tribute to his work. The authors, from Japan and around the world, represent all aspects of the development of medical devices, including scientists and engineers, clinicians, academics, business people, and clinical practitioners. RESULTS: While the idea of pulse oximetry originated in Japan, device development lagged in Japan due to a lack of business, clinical, and academic interest. Awareness of the importance of anesthesia safety in the US, due to academic foresight and media attention, in combination with excellence in technological innovation, led to widespread use of pulse oximetry around the world. CONCLUSION: Dr. Aoyagi's final wish was to find a theory of pulse oximetry. We hope this tribute to him and his invention will inspire a new generation of scientists, clinicians, and related organizations to secure the foundation of the theory.
Authors: Michael W Sjoding; Robert P Dickson; Theodore J Iwashyna; Steven E Gay; Thomas S Valley Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2020-12-17 Impact factor: 176.079
Authors: Peter H Charlton; Panicos A Kyriaco; Jonathan Mant; Vaidotas Marozas; Phil Chowienczyk; Jordi Alastruey Journal: Proc IEEE Inst Electr Electron Eng Date: 2022-03-11 Impact factor: 10.961
Authors: Peter H Charlton; Birutė Paliakaitė; Kristjan Pilt; Martin Bachler; Serena Zanelli; Dániel Kulin; John Allen; Magid Hallab; Elisabetta Bianchini; Christopher C Mayer; Dimitrios Terentes-Printzios; Verena Dittrich; Bernhard Hametner; Dave Veerasingam; Dejan Žikić; Vaidotas Marozas Journal: Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol Date: 2021-12-24 Impact factor: 4.733