Thursday, May 29, 2014

How A Recording Pulse Oximeter Works

By Marci Glover


Pulse oximetry is the process of measuring and monitoring the level of concentration of oxygen in blood. Recording pulse oximeter is the appliance used for monitoring. To work effectively, the sensor need to be placed across thin flesh. In grownup people fingertips or earlobes are the best whereas in infants limbs can do. The percentage of hemoglobin that has oxygen loaded to it is determined and the figure is displayed on a 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.

Functioning of oximeters is based on disparity in light absorption. They have processors and two LEDs, which directly face a photodiode. The LED and the photodiode are separated by a light part of the body like earlobes. One LED is red in color and has a wavelength of 660nm while the second one is infrared with a wavelength of 940nm. The absorption of the LED lights by oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin is very different. This is the working principle of the gadget.

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 are able to be incorporated into bigger systems, which monitor many parameters inside the human body. This ability is essential because multiple patient parameters can be recorded simultaneously. Portability and measurement of heart beats are the other features to check for when making a purchase. Battery life and discharge time are the primary factors for consideration in portable brands.

The abilities of various brands differs a lot. Bluetooth technology is incorporated in modern recording oximeters to facilitate the exchange of data among gadgets. They also permit for analysis of oxygen concentration patterns in patients for decision making. The analysis is possible from data records maintained over time. It is also possible to print records for record keeping, further analysis, or referral.

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.

The manual that comes with the product should be read before the device is put to use. Manuals contain vital specifications concerning maintenance, handling, and storage. To avoid receiving false data, all malfunctions in the gadget must be rectified before use in future.




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