| An oximeter, or a pulse oximeter, is a medical device | | | | with the heartbeat. Modern oximeters can also clip |
| that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. A | | | | onto the finger of a patient and determine the |
| pulse oximeter has become an important monitoring | | | | amounts of chemicals by using optical properties of |
| tool in modern medicine. The oximeter is attached to | | | | light. |
| a monitor so as to enable a direct reading of the | | | | The way in which pulse oximetry works is interesting. |
| patient's oxygenation at all times. This is because | | | | Well oxygenated blood is bright red in color, while |
| timely recognition of low saturation conditions and | | | | poorly oxygenated blood is darker, almost purple in |
| emergency correction measures can prevent | | | | tinge. Bright red blood will absorb more light. |
| potentially devastating complications. Before the | | | | Oximeters can also distinguish between venous and |
| oximeter was invented, a series of complicated blood | | | | arterial bloods. |
| tests were needed. | | | | Oximeters or blood-oxygen monitors are critical in |
| Oximeter manufacturers have been rising to the | | | | emergency medicine and can be crucial for patients |
| occasion by continually improving on their products to | | | | with cardiac or respiratory problems. Another |
| reduce the margin of error and provide safer tools. | | | | interesting use of the meter is in non-pressurized |
| Clinicians are thus provided with the most | | | | airplanes where pilots operate above 10,000 feet, |
| technologically advanced systems. Oximeters now | | | | thus needing supplemental oxygen. Oximeters are |
| come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they | | | | routinely used in operating rooms and intensive care |
| serve a variety of uses, but the main aim of all | | | | units as a part of their vital-sign monitoring. They are |
| oximeters is to monitor oxygen saturation readings. | | | | also used in sleep labs and with overnight oximetry |
| Clinical motion by the patient and corresponding | | | | tests to determine nocturnal hypoxemia (drop in |
| errors in reading accurate saturation levels pose a | | | | oxygen levels). Patients who need supplemental |
| major challenge to manufacturers. Clinical motion may | | | | oxygen aids or any other type of non-invasive |
| cause volatility, dashing of display, inaccuracy, and | | | | breathing aids are thus helped greatly. |
| freezing of saturation readings. Studies reveal that | | | | Other than hospitals and labs, people who are |
| among adults extending, rubbing, clenching and flexing | | | | dependent on supplemental oxygen find it useful to |
| are the most common motions. In infants, kicking, | | | | own an oximeter. Such people feel comfort and |
| clenching and flexing are the most common motions. | | | | security in being able to monitor their own oxygen |
| Clinical motions are irregular and are generally very | | | | needs. When such people become extremely short |
| short in duration. Oximeters traditionally calculate | | | | of breath, they are able to understand processes |
| saturation by measuring the difference in trough and | | | | that take place within them, and thus feel |
| peak of each plethysmographic waveform. Advanced | | | | empowered. People use oximeters while exercising or |
| digital signaling allows the modern hi-tech meters to | | | | exerting themselves, so they can monitor their |
| make accurate readings that were otherwise | | | | oxygen levels continually. |
| impossible. | | | | Oxygen is a form of medication, and oxygen levels |
| An oximeter usually measures the percent of normal. | | | | should not be adjusted without consulting a doctor |
| Normal ranges usually vary from 95 to 100 percent. | | | | first. It is good for patients to be proactive with their |
| The blood vessels expand and contract with the | | | | own health care, but one should not get obsessed |
| heartbeat, so the monitored signals bounce in time | | | | with the readings and get over alarmed. |