A Pulse oximeter is a device which estimates blood oxygenation via measuring the oxygen level in haemoglobin. It can be placed on the finger or ear and checks the blood flow past a the probe of the meter. The unit works in correlation to the pulse beat of the blood and some units show a graph.
Two wavelengths, 650nm & 805nm are normally used as the light source that is emitted from the probe that is absorbed by the haemoglobin in the blood. The amount of saturation is indicative of the oxygenation in the blood. If blood flow is slow, there may be problems in the functioning of the pulse oximeter.
There are several situations where a pulse oximeter may not be accurate. Vasoconstriction and Venous congestion may have negative affects on the readings. Random things such as bright overhead lights and nail varnish have been known to cause false readings. Also, the presence of carbo-xyhamoglobin (methaemglobin) can cause mis-readings due to the fact that pulse oximeters can't distinguish between different types of haemoglobin.
Pulse oximeters are used in monitoring oxygenation and pulse rates when a patient is under anaesthesia. Intensive care applications for oximeters are during mechanical ventilation; detecting problems with oxygenation before they are noticed clinically. Also, oximetry is used to see if a patient's oxygen therapy is adequate. In procedures when a patient is sedated, using a pulse oximeter can alert medical staff of situtations such as hypoxia.
A pulse oximeter is used to monitor oxygenation. However, it cannot measure the metabolism of oxygen. For oxygen metabolism, you must measure carbon dioxide levels.
Portable pulse oximeters have been utilized by pilots operating in a non-pressurized aircraft where supplemental oxygen is required. Portable pulse oximeters are also useful where oxygen levels may decrease at high altitudes or with exercise like with athletes and adventurers like mountain climbers. Those using portable pulse oximeters should also use blood oxygen charting software to maximize the information being gathered.
Pulse oximeter applications have increased and data obtained from them has been used to create new uses. Blood volume loss is one such new realization of the capabilities of a pulse oximeter. An algorithm has been devised over eyars of experimentation which makes use of blood oxygenation and haemoglobin absorption levels to yield blood volume measurements.
In home use of pulse oximeters have become popular and units can be found for sale at affordable prices. There are many companies like Nonin, Nellcor, and Checkmate that offer pulse oximeters for sale to the general public in the form of a portable oximeter, finger pulse oximeter, or a digital pulse oximeter.
Two wavelengths, 650nm & 805nm are normally used as the light source that is emitted from the probe that is absorbed by the haemoglobin in the blood. The amount of saturation is indicative of the oxygenation in the blood. If blood flow is slow, there may be problems in the functioning of the pulse oximeter.
There are several situations where a pulse oximeter may not be accurate. Vasoconstriction and Venous congestion may have negative affects on the readings. Random things such as bright overhead lights and nail varnish have been known to cause false readings. Also, the presence of carbo-xyhamoglobin (methaemglobin) can cause mis-readings due to the fact that pulse oximeters can't distinguish between different types of haemoglobin.
Pulse oximeters are used in monitoring oxygenation and pulse rates when a patient is under anaesthesia. Intensive care applications for oximeters are during mechanical ventilation; detecting problems with oxygenation before they are noticed clinically. Also, oximetry is used to see if a patient's oxygen therapy is adequate. In procedures when a patient is sedated, using a pulse oximeter can alert medical staff of situtations such as hypoxia.
A pulse oximeter is used to monitor oxygenation. However, it cannot measure the metabolism of oxygen. For oxygen metabolism, you must measure carbon dioxide levels.
Portable pulse oximeters have been utilized by pilots operating in a non-pressurized aircraft where supplemental oxygen is required. Portable pulse oximeters are also useful where oxygen levels may decrease at high altitudes or with exercise like with athletes and adventurers like mountain climbers. Those using portable pulse oximeters should also use blood oxygen charting software to maximize the information being gathered.
Pulse oximeter applications have increased and data obtained from them has been used to create new uses. Blood volume loss is one such new realization of the capabilities of a pulse oximeter. An algorithm has been devised over eyars of experimentation which makes use of blood oxygenation and haemoglobin absorption levels to yield blood volume measurements.
In home use of pulse oximeters have become popular and units can be found for sale at affordable prices. There are many companies like Nonin, Nellcor, and Checkmate that offer pulse oximeters for sale to the general public in the form of a portable oximeter, finger pulse oximeter, or a digital pulse oximeter.
About the Author:
Ally Park has chosen some Pulse Oximeter and Finger Oximeters that are popular as well as portable pulse oximeters for sale.
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