How A Recording Pulse Oximeter Works

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.

Good gadgets have in-built alarms. The alarms alert users when the level of oxygen in blood falls below a specific level by generating audible sound. This feature is very vital particularly at night when one is sleeping. Individuals with impaired or poor eyesight or problems with mobility also benefit from alarm systems.

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.

Recording oximeters may be incorporated into larger systems, which have the ability to monitor several parameters in the body. Such abilities are essential because users can record a wide range of data from the system simultaneously. When shopping for a product, portability and display of rate of heart beat are important additional features to look for. Battery life and length of time taken for the battery to discharge are the key factors to consider in portable brands.

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.

Features to check for when buying a device include capability to maintain data from multiple people, availability of accessories, and simplicity of storage. Common accessories include cases for storage, log books, and batteries. The gadget should be simple to use and the shape should be convenient. Buyers have flexibility in picking color of a product since they come in a wide range or color shades.

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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