Whole blood SO2 sensor

A method of measuring percent oxygen saturation in a whole blood sample, the method comprising:

• a. measuring an optical absorbance of a blood sample at a plurality of visible light wavelengths and at an infrared wavelength using an oximeter sensor system comprising:
• a light source group incorporating a plurality of LEDs mounted within a light source housing having a base wherein the plurality of LEDs includes a first visible light LED having a low wavelength visible light range, a second visible light LED having a high wavelength visible light range and an infrared LED having a wavelength range in the near infrared wavelength range, one or more sidewalls and a light-emitting end wherein the light source housing has a frustum shape wherein the light source group is disposed adjacent the base and facing the open top and wherein the one or more sidewalls has a reflective coating thereon;
• a light detector disposed opposite to, spaced from and facing the light-emitting end of the light source housing;
• and
• a cuvette module disposed between the light-emitting end of the light source housing and the light detector;
• b. calculating an absorbance value for each of the plurality of visible light wavelengths and at the infrared wavelength;
• and
• c. subjecting each absorbance value calculated in step b to a mapping function that maps absorbance values to percent oxygen saturation.