Datascope Accusat

Anesthesiologists monitor the vital signs of their patients during surgery. The percentage of hemoglobin saturation by oxygen in arterial blood (abbreviated SaO2) is a good indicator of how well the patient is breathing. Prior to the mid-20th century, the only way to judge blood oxygenation was by observation of the patient and taking a blood sample. Pulse oximeters, introduced in the 1980s, are noninvasive monitors of both heart rate and blood oxygenation.

Founded in 1964, Datascope Corporation has made numerous types of patient monitors and other medical apparatus. In the 1980s, the company introduced its new suite of monitors, including the Accucap capnometer, Accucom cardiac output monitor, Accusat pulse oximeter, Accuttor blood pressure monitor, and the 2000 multiple-function monitor.  The Accusat pulse oximeter was in production by 1986. It could be used alone, or linked to other Datascope equipment, including the 2000 and Accucap monitors.

The Accusat continuously measured both SaO2 and pulse rate, displaying these in the form of numeric values, with both visual and audible warning signals of changes in these levels. It was equipped with two sizes of probe (attached to the patient's finger) and had a backup battery. It also offered electrosurgical interference suppression, to prevent interruptions during the use of high-frequency, electrical surgical appliances.