rPPG vs Pulse Oximeters
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Circadify (rPPG) | Pulse Oximeter |
|---|---|---|
| SpO2 | Yes | Yes |
| Heart Rate | Yes | Yes |
| Cost Per Device | No hardware | $20-100 |
| Requires Contact | No | Yes |
| Works in Poor Lighting | Improving | Yes |
| Hygiene Concerns | None | Shared device |
| Enterprise Deployment | Easy | Complex |
| Telehealth Ready | Yes | Requires shipping |
| Battery/Power | N/A | Requires batteries |
Best for rPPG
Camera-based SpO2 works well for general wellness monitoring where trends matter more than absolute precision.
- ✓Pre-telehealth visit screening
- ✓Employee wellness programs
- ✓Fitness and breathing exercises
- ✓General health awareness
- ✓Population-level screening
Best for Pulse Oximeters
FDA-cleared pulse oximeters remain essential for medical monitoring and treatment decisions.
- ✓COVID-19 symptom monitoring
- ✓COPD and asthma management
- ✓Post-surgical recovery
- ✓Sleep apnea assessment
- ✓Emergency and acute care
SpO2 Comparison FAQ
Can camera-based SpO2 replace a pulse oximeter?
Camera-based SpO2 provides continuous monitoring at scale without hardware logistics. It's ideal for telehealth screening, population health programs, and any setting where deploying physical devices to every patient isn't practical.
How does rPPG measure blood oxygen?
rPPG analyzes subtle color changes in skin captured by camera. Different wavelengths of light are absorbed differently by oxygenated vs deoxygenated hemoglobin, allowing estimation of blood oxygen saturation.
What's the accuracy difference?
Pulse oximeters are validated to within +/-2-3% SpO2. Camera-based SpO2 uses similar optical principles and is optimized for screening and trending where convenience and scale matter more than single-point precision.
When should I still use a pulse oximeter?
Pulse oximeters are commonly used for acute respiratory monitoring and post-surgery care. rPPG excels for telehealth, remote patient monitoring, pre-visit screening, and situations where hardware logistics are a barrier.
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