What is a fingertip pulse oximeter?
It is a device used for measuring blood oxygen saturation using electrical sensors placed on a fingertip.
How does a fingertip pulse oximeter work?
An oximeter uses two light-emitting diodes generating red and infrared lights to a translucent part of body like fingertip. Tissues and blood vessels within the fingertip normally absorb a constant amount of light over time. The ratio of light absorbed as the heart contracts and relaxes and blood volume increases and decreases is translated into an oxygen saturation measurement.
What does a pulse oximeter measure?
Pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation of haemoglobin in arterial blood described as SpO2. Most oximeters also display pulse rate and a pulse waveform/bar graph depicting the strength of the pulse
What does oxygen saturation level means?
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin. One molecule of haemoglobin can carry up to four molecules of oxygen after which it is described as "saturated" with oxygen. If all the binding sites on the haemoglobin molecule are carrying oxygen, the haemoglobin is said to have a saturation of 100%.
Most of the haemoglobin in blood combines with oxygen as it passes through the lungs. A healthy individual with normal lungs breathing air will have an arterial oxygen saturation of 95% - 100%.
Reasons for measuring oxygen saturation level.
Human life can not be sustained without oxygen. All body organs require oxygen for metabolism but the brain and heart are particularly very sensitive to lack of oxygen and a serious shortage of oxygen ( Hypoxia) for a few minutes can be fatal.
In a clinical setting pulse oximetry may be performed to assess the adequacy of oxygen levels (or oxygen saturation) in the blood in a variety of circumstances such as heart attack, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anaemia, lung cancer, asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis,emphysema, cystic fibrosis, occupational lung diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, farmer's lung, There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend pulse oximetry
Types of oximeter readings.
Spot-check
These compact finger tip devices can be used to obtain a single reading quickly usually in about 30 seconds and is easy to carry and increasing number of health care professionals carry this in their coat pocket.
Continuous readings
Some wrist worn type of oximeters with small finger tip probes allow for continuous reading and commonly used by athletes, joggers, in adventure sports, during mountain climbing and also in health care settings like sleep studies.
Continuous Remote Monitoring
Some oximeters commonly used in hospitals can be used for remote monitoring where readings can be transmitted through cable or bluetooth wireless connectivity to a remote display unit where readings for several patients are monitored in a central unit.
.
Related reading:Portable ECG Recorder quantum magnetic analyzer LED Ceiling Light Bank uniforms
It is a device used for measuring blood oxygen saturation using electrical sensors placed on a fingertip.
How does a fingertip pulse oximeter work?
An oximeter uses two light-emitting diodes generating red and infrared lights to a translucent part of body like fingertip. Tissues and blood vessels within the fingertip normally absorb a constant amount of light over time. The ratio of light absorbed as the heart contracts and relaxes and blood volume increases and decreases is translated into an oxygen saturation measurement.
What does a pulse oximeter measure?
Pulse oximeter measures the oxygen saturation of haemoglobin in arterial blood described as SpO2. Most oximeters also display pulse rate and a pulse waveform/bar graph depicting the strength of the pulse
What does oxygen saturation level means?
Red blood cells contain haemoglobin. One molecule of haemoglobin can carry up to four molecules of oxygen after which it is described as "saturated" with oxygen. If all the binding sites on the haemoglobin molecule are carrying oxygen, the haemoglobin is said to have a saturation of 100%.
Most of the haemoglobin in blood combines with oxygen as it passes through the lungs. A healthy individual with normal lungs breathing air will have an arterial oxygen saturation of 95% - 100%.
Reasons for measuring oxygen saturation level.
Human life can not be sustained without oxygen. All body organs require oxygen for metabolism but the brain and heart are particularly very sensitive to lack of oxygen and a serious shortage of oxygen ( Hypoxia) for a few minutes can be fatal.
In a clinical setting pulse oximetry may be performed to assess the adequacy of oxygen levels (or oxygen saturation) in the blood in a variety of circumstances such as heart attack, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anaemia, lung cancer, asthma, pneumonia, cystic fibrosis,emphysema, cystic fibrosis, occupational lung diseases like asbestosis, silicosis, farmer's lung, There may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend pulse oximetry
Types of oximeter readings.
Spot-check
These compact finger tip devices can be used to obtain a single reading quickly usually in about 30 seconds and is easy to carry and increasing number of health care professionals carry this in their coat pocket.
Continuous readings
Some wrist worn type of oximeters with small finger tip probes allow for continuous reading and commonly used by athletes, joggers, in adventure sports, during mountain climbing and also in health care settings like sleep studies.
Continuous Remote Monitoring
Some oximeters commonly used in hospitals can be used for remote monitoring where readings can be transmitted through cable or bluetooth wireless connectivity to a remote display unit where readings for several patients are monitored in a central unit.
.
Related reading:Portable ECG Recorder quantum magnetic analyzer LED Ceiling Light Bank uniforms