Patent ID: 8068891

Claim:
A sensor for pulse oximeter systems comprising: a first source of electromagnetic radiation configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at approximately a first center wavelength; a second source of electromagnetic radiation configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at approximately a second center wavelength, different from the first center wavelength; a third source of electromagnetic radiation configured to emit electromagnetic radiation at approximately a third center wavelength, different from the first and second center wavelengths, wherein the first center wavelength being less than a desired aggregate center wavelength, the third center wavelength being greater than the desired aggregate center wavelength, and the emission spectra of the first and third sources of electromagnetic radiation overlap at a half power level or greater of their respective emission maxima, the addition of the spectra causing a peak generally corresponding to the desired aggregate center wavelength; and a photodetector configured to receive electromagnetic radiation from blood-perfused tissue irradiated by the first, second and third sources of electromagnetic radiation.