An efficient and reliable method to determine SpO2 in rodents

Accurate, non-invasive physiological monitoring is key to reproducible pre-clinical research studies. While the Rodent Surgical Monitor (RSM+) system has helped many researchers monitor the standard vital signs ECG, respiration, and core temperature in their experimental animals, oxygen saturation – a critical clinical parameter – has often been overlooked or underutilized.

Now, a newly launched platform changes that. Featuring patent-pending ECG electrodes with integrated pulse oximetry sensors and redesigned electronics for cleaner, more reliable data, this next-generation system sets a new standard for precision monitoring during procedures.

Clinically, oxygen saturation or SpO₂ measurements are made routinely because it directly reflects how effectively oxygen is transported via the blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. It is a key indicator of respiratory and cardiovascular function used to monitor patients under anesthesia and assess respiratory or cardiac conditions. Accurate SpO₂ monitoring can help prevent organ damage, improve outcomes, and support timely interventions.

Even though used extensively in clinical settings, oxygen saturation has not been routinely measured in preclinical studies. However, with increased focus on monitoring and reproducibility, researchers are starting to adopt this measurement. The Indus Instruments RSM+ system includes a commercially available external thigh clip sensor for SpO₂, but these require precise placement, orientation, and shaving of the measurement site - adding complexity and variability.

To address these challenges, Indus Instruments now offers the RSMoX platform, featuring integrated pulse oximetry sensors in the ECG electrodes. This allows SpO₂ to be measured directly from the paw in mice or rats, improving reliability and reducing setup time.

SpO₂ measurements from the RSMoX paw sensor were validated against the Indus thigh clip sensor and the StarrLife (Mouse Ox) clip sensor under normoxia and hypoxia conditions. The results showed no significant difference in accuracy - confirming the RSMoX as a reliable alternative.

Learning objectives

• Understand the value of oxygen saturation monitoring in preclinical research.
• Explore the features of the RSMoX platform with integrated SpO₂ and ECG sensors.
• Review validation results comparing the new system with existing solutions.