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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05995613

Evaluation of MABOS for Improved Pulse Oximeter Accuracy in Patients of Color

Purpose: Investigate the safe wearability and basic functionality - epidermal melanin concentration and blood oxygen estimation - of our developed device: Melanin-Adjusted Blood Oxygen Sensor (MABOS)

Participants: Healthy adults 18-65 years of age

Procedures (methods): The investigators plan to enroll 12 healthy adult participants for the study. The investigators aim to enroll 4 participants with skin tones associated with those of African descent (Group A), 4 of East Asian descent (Group B), and 4 of European descent (Group C). Additionally, the investigators aim to ensure half of group is male, and the other half female. For the duration of the study, two wearable devices will be placed on the participant: a Nonin PureSat pulse oximeter on a forefinger, and the novel wearable pulse oximeter - MABOS - on the other forefinger. Prior to testing, an Ocean HR2 XR Spectrometer will be used to assess the absorbance of three wavelengths of light - 410, 660, 940 nm - on each patient's inner wrist. Following this, the two devices will be placed on the patient, set up, and calibrated for 10 minutes. During the calibration period, MABOS will be used to measure the same three wavelengths of light utilized by the Ocean HR2 XR Spectrometer (410, 660, and 940 nm). After the calibration period, all participants will be asked to perform the following procedure 5 times as part of the testing period: a deep inhalation lasting no longer than 10 seconds, followed by a slow exhalation lasting no longer than 30 seconds. Between each trial, a five-minute break will be required. For the entire testing period, all two devices will be continuously acquiring data. After this testing period, all two devices will continue taking measurements until 90 minutes have elapsed. Skin integrity will be examined before spectrometer use, after spectrometer use, after the calibration period, every 30 minutes after the start of the testing period, and after the testing period. During the study, if the participants report any uncomfortable feeling and/or pain or if a change to the skin at the site of device placement occurs, the measurements will be discontinued, and all the devices placed on the participants will be removed. Questionnaires will be provided after the study period and during follow-up visits approximately 48 hours and 96 hours post the device testing visit for a proof-of-concept evaluation of the safe wearability.

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Key information

Conditions

Oxygen Saturation

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, United States

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Male and females, with age between 18-65
  • Health individuals (defined as: not known to suffer any significant illnesses relevant to the proposed study, cited from The Textbook of Pharmaceutical Medicine)
  • The investigators aim to enroll 4 participants with skin tones associated with those of African descent, 4 of East Asian Descent, and 4 of European Descent. Additionally, the investigators aim to ensure half of the group is male, the other half female.

Exclusion criteria

  • Pregnant or lactating
  • History of active (clinically significant) skin disorders that make skin vulnerable to contact conventional electronic devices.
  • History of allergic response to silicones or adhesives (such as 3M Tegaderm)
  • Broken, damaged, or irritated skin or rashes near the sensor application sites
  • Subjects who are physically or cognitively unable to perform activities of daily living, assessed at the discretion of the investigator to ensure safe completion of study tasks.
  • Inability to perform the breathing tests - deep inhalation for 10 seconds, followed by a slow exhalation no longer than 30 seconds.
  • Presence of tattoos on fingers, hands, or forearms.

Treatment and study plan

MABOS

Device

The novel pulse oximeter (MABOS) will be placed to acquire two biometrics: blood oxygen saturation and epidermal melanin concentration.

Other names: pulse oximeter

Nonin PureSat

Device

An FDA approved pulse oximeter will be placed to acquire blood oxygen saturation.

Primary outcomes

  1. Initial Device Safety Questionnaire

    Time frame: 10 minutes following the 90 minute testing period

    Device safety and comfort will be assessed by qualitative survey. All questions are rated from 1-5, where 1 is Strongly Disagree, and 5 is Strongly Agree. In the initial survey, the final 7 pertain to safety.

    The Safety Sub-Score is determined by the latter 7 questions, making the score range from 7-35.

    In this case, a higher number indicates a better outcome.

  2. Initial Device Comfort Questionnaire

    Time frame: 10 minutes following the 90 minute testing period

    Device comfort will be assessed by qualitative survey. All questions are rated from 1-5, where 1 is Strongly Disagree, and 5 is Strongly Agree. In the initial 19-question survey, the first 12 pertain to comfort.

    The Comfort Sub-Score is determined by the first 12 questions, making the score range from 12-60.

    In this case, a higher number indicates a better outcome.

  3. Final Device Safety Questionnaire

    Time frame: Two 10-minute sessions, one 2 days after the testing session, and one 4 days after the testing session

    Device safety will be assessed by qualitative survey. All questions are rated from 1-5, where 1 is "Strongly Disagree", and 5 is "Strongly Agree" and scores range from 9-45, where a higher score indicates a better outcome. The following 9 questions are asked: "I have noticed a change in skin condition since wearing the device"; "I have experienced a rash since wearing the device"; "I have experienced itching since wearing the device"; "I have experienced swelling since wearing the device"; "I have experienced a burning sensation since wearing the device"; "I have experienced vesicles blistering since wearing the device"; "I have experienced irregular warming of the skin since wearing the device"; "I have experienced a stinging sensation since wearing the device"; and "I have experienced a change in skin sensitivity since wearing the device."

Secondary outcomes

  1. Epidermal Melanin Estimation

    Time frame: First 10 minutes of the 90-minute testing session, during the calibration phase

    Confirming the device's ability to differentiate skin tone using 3 wavelengths of light by comparison to a spectrometer.

    Metric of Accuracy: Take the average 410 nm light absorption of each individual (an average of intensity of absorbance over time during the 10-minute calibration period), using both the spectrometer and the device. Find the regression line that best fits the 12 data points (where each data point is a paired observation of spectrometer and device 410-nm light absorption for a given participant). A positive R value, with an R-squared value >80% for a simple linear regression, is considered a positive indication of a trend.

  2. Blood Oxygen Level Estimation

    Time frame: The latter 80 minutes of the testing period on the testing day, following the calibration period

    Comparing the device's blood oxygen estimation to the FDA approved device to confirm accuracy.

    Metric of Accuracy: Upon calibration of the device, each 60-second sample will constitute one 'estimate' of SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation). For the latter 80 minutes of the study, 80 samples will be derived. Each sample will be compared to what was recorded by the FDA-approved oximeter. The comparison will be accomplished by finding the regression line that best fits the cumulative 80-minute data from all 12 participants. A positive R value, with an R-squared value >80% for a simple linear regression, is considered a positive indication of a trend.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Evaluation of Wearable Melanin-Adjusted Blood Oxygen Sensor (MABOS) for Improved Accuracy in Patients of Color

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2024
Study completion
2024
First posted
Aug 16, 2023
Registry last updated
Mar 11, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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