Abstract: A system includes a light source, a photodetector in optical communication with the light source, and a processor in communication with said photodetector and configured to output a signal representing oxygen saturation independent of an interfering signal from an interfering source. The system may further include an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the processor that is configured to digitize a signal from the photodetector by oversampling and output oversampling data to the processor. The processor may include an averaging filter that averages the oversampling data received from said analog-to-digital converter prior to decimation to generate an oversampling number.

Abstract: A method for monitoring oxygen saturation that includes the following steps: (i) measuring an oxygen saturation of a target area of a person or animal over time; (ii) measuring an oxygen saturation of a reference area of the person or animal over time; and (iii) classifying the oxygen saturation status of the target area based upon a comparison of the oxygen saturation of the target area relative to the oxygen saturation of the reference area over time.

Abstract: A sensor used to measure physiological characteristics of body tissues is provided. The physiological sensor includes a first light source assembly having a first light source in parallel with a second light source. Each of the first light source and the second light source have an anode and a cathode. A second light source assembly includes a third light source in parallel with a fourth light source. Each of the third light source and the fourth light source have an anode and a cathode. The anode of the first light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the second light source, the anode of said third light source, and the cathode of said fourth light source. The anode of the third light source is electrically connected to the cathode of the fourth light source.