Information Concerning Recording Pulse Oximeter

By Rosella Campbell


Pulse oximetry is a measurement method used on patients to monitor O2 saturation in blood. This monitoring is done using a recording pulse oximeter. The gadget monitors and records any changes in the degree of oxygen concentration in blood cells and alerts the doctor. Notification can be in form of a sound and only happens when the level falls too low. Early medical intervention can therefore be done following the alerts.

The principle of pectrophotometry is the one these gadgets base on in their working. This principle is in turn reliant on how deoxygenated and oxygenated blood cells absorb red and infrared light. The sensor records these rates of absorption and passes the values to the main machine to be processed. The machine processes and gives new values after every of 0.5-1 seconds. High accuracy is ensured by this high rate.

The device has two diodes that emit red and infrared radiations. The diodes are positioned directly opposite to their respective detectors which are separated by 5 to 10 millimeters of tissue. This is the reason why the device is placed on an organ that has thin tissues such as the finger or earlobe. The sensors are made in form of clips or wraps. Some studies reveal that earlobes are not very effective for measuring oxygen saturation inside the body.

These devices are very useful in any setting where the amount of oxygen saturation within the body needs to be known at all times. Such settings include emergency units, intensive care, operation rooms, and in recovery and treatment wards in hospitals. Patients are advised to keep calm or minimize major movements in order to ensure accuracy of the readings. Devices with recording capability are better because they maintain a history of all values taken over a given period.

Oximeters have several uses besides measuring oxygen saturation. First, oximetry can serve as a replacement for blood gas analysis except in cases where acid-base state or PaCO2 is necessary. This method is also cheaper, easier to perform, and less painful compared to many others. It also has a higher level of accuracy especially in cases where the patient is conscious. Recorded values can be used to determine variations and to set standards in patients.

Oximeters also prevent wastage of oxygen supplied to patients by keeping usage only to required levels. Intrapartum fetal monitoring and neonatal care are the other areas of usage. Use in neonatal care and intrapartum fetal monitoring are not developed and standardized fully but soon they will. First aid in modern ambulances is provided by these devices. GP kits are progressively getting equipped with oximeters.

In primary care, oximetry finds use in diagnosing and managing exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in a location. It also helps in grading the level of seriousness of an asthma attack. An asthma attack is considered life-threatening is the level of saturation falls at or below 92 percent. Severity of bronchiolitis in children is also assessed and medically cared for through this method.

The recording function in recording oximeters makes them to cost a little higher than other models. Prices vary according to the degree of complexity. Stores that sell medical equipment are among the places one can buy these devices from.




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