Our pulse oximeter is a noninvasive medical device used for measuring a patient's oxygen level in the blood and pulse rate. These are important vital signs, and accurate readings are crucial.
Principles of Pulse Oximetry Technology:
The principle of pulse oximetry is based on the red and infrared light absorption characteristics of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin. Oxygenated hemoglobin absorbs more infrared light and allows more red light to pass through. Deoxygenated (or reduced) hemoglobin absorbs more red light and allows more infrared light to pass through. Red light is in the 600-750 nm wavelength light band. Infrared light is in the 850-1000 nm wavelength light band.
Pulse oximeters for home use are small, lightweight monitors that painlessly attach to a fingertip to monitor the amount of oxygen carried in the body. An oxygen level of greater than 95% is generally considered to be a normal oxygen level. An oxygen level of 92% or less (at sea level) suggests a low blood oxygen. In addition to oxygen level, pulse rate is also displayed. Heart rate can be expected to increase some with exercise but oxygen saturation may slightly decrease (it should still remain at 90% or greater though).
Pulse oximetry can be used for at-home monitoring of your oxygen level and pulse for conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) and others.
Our finger pulse oximeter has expanded the availability of pulse oximetry to include at-home patient monitoring. In people with COPD, pulse oximetry is useful as a tool for patients to use at home to assist with their management under physician guidance. Monitoring your oxygen saturation level will help you to adjust your oxygen flow at home, during exercise, and during social activities.
It may also be used:
During or after surgery or procedures that use sedation
To see how well lung medicines are working
To check a person’s ability to handle increased activity levels
To see if a ventilator is needed to help with breathing, or to see how well it’s working
To check a person has moments when breathing stops during sleep (sleep apnea)
