Dr. Takuo Aoyagi, Chief Manager of Aoyagi Research Laboratory, Technology Development Operations, passed away on April 18, 2020.
Dr. Takuo Aoyagi has been engaged in research and development of pulse oximeters for about half a century, from the time he joined the Company in 1971 to the present.
In 1974, he invented the principle of pulse oximetry, the world's first non-invasive continuous measurement of oxygen saturation in blood using light. This technology has now spread throughout the world, dramatically improving the safety of general anesthesia surgery and saving the lives of many patients worldwide. The invention of the pulse oximeter is a feat that will go down in the history of the world.
For this achievement, he was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2002. In 2015, he became the first Japanese to receive the IEEE Medal for Innovations in Healthcare Technology.
Pulse oximeters play an indispensable role in monitoring the patient condition during treatment of sufferers of the coronavirus pandemic which is now raging around the world.
His sincere attitude to research and development was a true role model for those engaged in medical engineering. I feel a great loss when I recall his energetic efforts, which continued until only very recently, to make fundamental improvements to the technology of the pulse oximeter.
We would like to express our sincere condolences and pray for the repose of his soul in memory of his life's achievements.
Nihon Kohden Corporation
Representative Director, President and CEO
Hirokazu Ogino
