The Working Of A Recording Pulse Oximeter

By Marci Glover


Pulse oximetry is the method by which the level of saturation of oxygen gas in the blood is monitored. The device used to do the monitoring process is referred to as a recording pulse oximeter. The sensor must be pinned across a thin organ. In adults earlobes or fingertips are the best while in infants feet or hands can do. The percentage of blood hemoglobin loaded with oxygen is monitored and displayed on the screen.

Devices with an alarm system are a good option to check for. Such gadgets make audible sounds to inform patients when the level of concentration of oxygen has fallen below certain levels. This ability is particularly vital at night when sleeping. People with poor or impaired eyesight or mobility problems may also benefit from alarms.

The functioning of oximeters bases on disparity in how light is absorbed. A typical design is made of a processor and 2 light emitting diodes, which face a photodiode directly. When in use the LEDs and the photodiode must have a thin layer of and organ like the lower side of the ear separating them. One LED is colored red with a wave-length of 660nm whereas the second is infrared and has a wave-length of 940nm. How the red and infrared LED lights are absorbed by deoxygenated and oxygenated hemoglobin differs. This forms the main working principle in the device.

The diodes flash approximately 30 times every second. The accuracy could be gauged by the consistency of the flashing per minute. For a device to be considered good it should have high accuracy with mechanisms of letting users know if the readings displayed are wrong. Users must also be alerted of inaccurate readings due to interferences. Modern versions allow interfacing with computers hence allowing better reading of displayed data.

The oximeter can be integrated into a larger system that monitors several parameters in patients. Such capabilities are important because the user can collect a range of measurements from the system at once. Additional features such as portability and ability to measure and display the rate at which the heart beats are important too. In portable brands, the life of the battery and how long it takes to discharge are the key factors to consider.

The capabilities of various models differs a lot. Current day recording oximeters incorporate Bluetooth technology to allow exchange of data with other gadgets. They also allow for analysis of patterns of oxygen concentration in patients from the records collected and maintained over time. The records may also be printed out for referral, record keeping, or further analysis.

When purchasing, extra features to check for include capability to keep data for more than one user, availability of added accessories, and ease of storage. Added accessories include log books and cases for storage. The device must be easy to use with a good shape for convenience. A buyer has flexibility in choosing color of the product because there are many options.

It is a good idea to go through the producer manual before putting the device to any use. Manuals provide important specifications about storage, maintenance, and handling. So as to avoid getting false data, any kind of malfunction in the products must be checked first before using them.




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