Can a Melanin-Sensing oximeter end hidden oxygen reading bias?
NCT ID NCT05995613
First seen Aug 14, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026
Summary
This trial tests a new wearable device, MABOS, that aims to adjust blood oxygen readings based on skin melanin levels. Standard pulse oximeters can be less accurate on darker skin, and this study enrolls healthy adults with diverse skin tones to see if MABOS is safe, comfortable, and able to estimate melanin and oxygen. Participants wear both MABOS and a standard oximeter while performing breathing exercises, and their skin is monitored for irritation. The goal is to gather early evidence on whether this approach could improve oxygen monitoring for people of color.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- A novel wearable pulse oximeter (MABOS) that measures blood oxygen and skin melanin, compared to a standard FDA-approved pulse oximeter.
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could lead to more accurate blood oxygen monitoring for people with darker skin, reducing hidden risks from inaccurate readings.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small feasibility study focused on safety and basic function, not proof of accuracy. The device may not perform better than existing monitors.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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9 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2023
- Finished
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Dec 2024
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Individuals of African, East Asian, and European descent; equal proportions of male and female individuals from each group.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
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.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, United States
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