Method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing variations in a physiologic parameter

A method of performing pulse oximetry, comprising:

• emitting light from an emitter component of a pulse oximeter sensor at first and second wavelengths useful for measuring oxygen saturation;
• detecting the light with a detector component of the pulse oximeter sensor;
• transmitting signals indicative of characteristics of the detected light to a pulse oximeter;
• estimating blood oxygen saturation values over time at a high resolution based on the signals with the pulse oximeter;
• detecting variations in the blood oxygen saturation values that are smaller in magnitude than an accuracy, display precision, and/or calibration of the blood oxygen saturation values;
• and
• detecting a patient condition and/or controlling a physiologic parameter based on the variations.

A pulse oximeter sensor configured to facilitate detection of high precision changes in blood oxygen saturation estimates obtained via pulse oximetry, comprising:

• a sensor body;
• a plurality of emitters positioned within the sensor body, wherein each of the plurality of emitters is configured to emit light at a different wavelength, and wherein at least one of the plurality of emitters is selected for sensitivity to small changes in blood oxygen saturation by emitting light within a bounded range of wavelengths;
• a detector configured to detect the light emitted by the plurality of emitters;
• and
• a processor configured to calculate a value of blood oxygen saturation based on the detected light with a precision of 0.1, 0.01, or 0.001.