Monday, June 22, 2009

Background On Finger Pulse Oximeter Units And Which Pulse Oximeters For Sale Are The Best

By Ally Park

A Pulse oximeter is a instrument with the purpose of measuring oxygenation of blood by measuring the oxygen percentage in haemoglobin. It is usually attached to the lobe of the ear or fingertip and records the flow of blood past a probe in the unit. Some units make a sound or graph which coincides with the pulse beat.

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.

Inaccuracy in a pulse oximeter may be caused by a variety of things. Vasoconstriction and Venous congestion are common causes of mis-readings. Bright overhead lights and nail varnish can also be the culprit for false results. The existence of carbo-xyhamoglobin (methaemglobin) in the blood can confuse a pulse oximeter because they have difficulty distinguishing between haemoglobin types.

When under anaesthesia, pulse oximeters are used to monitor oxygenation and pulse rates. During mechanical ventilation and other intensive care situations, pulse oximeters have been used to great success in the detection of oxygenation related problems before they are physically realized. Additionally, oximetry is used to analyze whether oxygen therapy is necessary in a patient. Alerting users of a state of hypoxia is also another helpful usage.

Monitoring oxygenation in the blood haemoglobin is the primary function of a pulse oximeter as previously discussed. Oximeters of this type, can not and are not designed to measure, record or detect oxygen metabolism. The process of Oxygen metabolism requires carbon dioxide level data.

Operating aircraft in a non-pressurized cabin is a perfect example of an alternative use of a portable pulse oximeter that can be used to measure the amount of supplemental oxygen a pilot may need at varying altitudes. For extreme climbers and athletes, a decrease in oxygen in the blood may occur in the process of scaling a mountain or performing an exercise or sport at a high exertion level. In these cases, a portable pulse oximeter can be useful to ensure that oxygen levels in the blood are at optimal levels for continued performance without endangering the individual.

Other applications for pulse oximeters have been developed. A major development is the measuring of blood volume loss with pulse oximeter readings. The algorithm created attributes a correlation between oxygenation in blood haemoglobin and blood volume measurements.

Nellcor, Nonin, and Checkmate, have made pulse oximeters that families can afford that essential offer basic features that are available on more expensive models. Finger pulse oximeters for sale are available in a portable oximeter style unit and finger pulse oximeter devices that are more stationary that have digital readouts and are more complex.

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