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Advantages Of A Pulse Oximeter
A pulse oximeter is a blood-oxygen monitor. It does this by measuring the hemoglobin in the arteries,
ignoring that in the veins. It only measures hemoglobin that is in one of the three possible states: the
oxyhemoglobin configuration. In this way, it is able to determine O2 saturation in the blood.
This type of monitoring is useful for several medical purposes. One of these is to determine a problem with
the hypoxic drive. Normally, the lungs regulate the amount of oxygen they deliver to the blood stream by
monitoring levels of carbon monoxide. With the hypoxic drive, the lungs regulate the respiration cycle with
the levels of oxygen instead. The hypoxic drive mechanism is essential for patients with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD). However, for normal patients, the hypoxic drive is not necessary. If it does begin
to operate without the presence of COPD, then it is problematic. It can be detected by s with a reading
between 95 and 99 percent.
The oximeter works with a detection property implemented in 1935 by Karl Matthes. He determined that the
difference between the transmissions of two distinct wavelengths of light yielded an accurate method of
measuring oxygen saturation in the blood. Modern oximeters generate light with photoemission LEDs. One is
red with a wavelength of 660 nm, the other infrared with wavelengths of 905, 910, or 940 nm. A common
measurement point is at the fingernail. This works well for most patients except those using black fingernail
polishes.
Doctors have found it useful to measure oxygen saturation at various points of the body. To do this, they
employ a variation of the oximeter, which uses reflection instead of transmission. With this technique, they
are able to measure at other points of the body, including the feet, the forehead, and the chest.
The can be used to measure pulse rate as well. This is because the blood traveling past the oximeter
measurement location flows and ebbs in response to the respiratory cycle. Measuring the time period
between the peaks of this sinusoidal response yields the pulse rate.
Because this method of measuring oxygen saturation is non-invasive, it can be monitored constantly and
used to monitor several sensitive processes. It is one of the most common ways to monitor patients during
administration and maintenance of anesthesia. The oximeter will quickly reveal problems with the dosage and
the patient?s reaction to the procedures. In this case, it not only ensures sufficient oxygenation, but also
helps prevent excessively high oxygenation levels in the bloodstream.
A modern use of s is in home monitoring of sleep apnea. High-resolution oximeters have been developed for
those patients with logistical problems toward conducting polysomnography. Another important use has been
early diagnosis of congenital heart disease in newborn babies. A very interesting use is with portable
oximeters being deployed to aircraft pilots to ensure proper oxygenation during high-altitude, cabin
pressurized flights.
A is useful in any situation where the patient can be subject to unstable oxygenation. This includes
emergency rooms, operating theaters, and intensive care stations. It is considered a key measurement
instrument since the need for oxygen is considered to be a most critical component of any patient?s life
function. For these reasons, it is expected that the uses for s will continue to grow, and development of
additional features will continue.
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