How Does A Pulse Oximeter Work?
A pulse oximeter is a medical device used to measure a patient's oxygenation at different stages of his or her body. Pulse oximeters are useful in many health situations including emergency medicine, medical research, and occupational therapy. Pulse oximeters are relatively inexpensive devices that can be easily purchased at a pharmacy or health store. Although they are battery operated, there are also many wireless models available. There are generally three types of oximeters to choose from: digital, analog, and infrared. Check out our homepage now to get the best pulse oximeters.
Digital pulse oximeters are the most common type used in health care settings. They work by using a sensor attached to the patient's finger that is equipped with a probe that sends infrared light waves through the skin. These waves are absorbed by the body tissue and are measured and transmitted by the oximeter. Generally, peripheral oxygen saturation (POS) readings are within 2% of the ideal reading of arterial blood gases as well.
An analog pulse oximeter works by measuring pulse rates and using the pulse rate as a signal to determine low oxygen levels in the blood. Typically, a low oxygen level is detected in the earlobe area and for some patients it may indicate low levels of oxygenated blood in the capillaries around the ear. A digital device will use the analog mode when low oxygen levels are detected in the fingers or earlobe. Because an analog device requires no infrared light, they are commonly used with patients who cannot otherwise breathe normally due to medical conditions, such as cyanotic congenital heart disease or respiratory problems, and with infants, children, and elderly individuals who cannot take off their oxygen masks because of insufficient oxygen supply to the brain or respiratory system.
The third type of pulse oximeter is the finger pulse oximeter. This particular model differs from the fingertip oximeter in that the sensor is not located within the finger; rather, it is attached to the finger with an adhesive sensor ring. Patients who are unable to wear gloves or jewelry may use this particular model. It is used for newborns and infants, but is also used commonly with people who are not able to wear accessories such as rings or finger clips.
When looking to purchase a pulse oximeter for your medical needs, you should first make sure that it is functional and can measure accurate pulse rates and arterial blood gases. You may also want to ask your doctor whether you should use a finger pulse oximeter in cases where you already have a respiratory or cardiac condition. If you are suffering from a heart condition or breathing problem, then it may be prudent for you to purchase a handheld model, as opposed to a finger model. Although it may take more time and training for you to adjust to wearing these devices, they can save your life if necessary.
How does a pulse oximeter works? The infrared light passes through the translucent part of the earlobe, which is between the outer and middle ear. The light passes through the earlobe into the outer ear and flashlights placed upon the sensor allow it to function. If the light passing into the earlobe is not sufficient for the LED to activate, then the red light will be triggered. If the patient has a sufficient amount of oxygen in their blood, then this red light should be a good indicator that the patient has too much oxygen in their blood. Discover more concerning pulse oximeters on this page: https://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/pulse-oximeter.
