Pulse Oximeters - Measuring Your Oxygen Blood Saturation

You can now measure your oxygen blood saturation with a device that is literally at the tip of your finger. With a portable pulse oximeter you can determine easily and anywhere, how much oxygen is being carried through your blood stream.

Pulse Oximeters:

A Pulse Oximeter is an ideal companion for use by patients on long term oxygen therapy in just about any setting, without having to go to a specialized center as you can identify and monitor your oxygenated blood, easily and quickly.

Oxygen measurement has become a practical and much needed application, especially for those who are maintaining their activities and lifestyle - and these hand held instruments allow you to do so by yourself, without the need for specialized clinics.

A blood oximeter will make your day to day life easier as with this simple method you are able to measure in just a few seconds your oxygen saturation and pulse.

To measure your blood oxygen saturations you just place your index finger in the slot provided with the Pulse Oximeter, turn on the device, and read off the oxygen saturation as well as your pulse readings.

For the thousands of people world wide, and specifically in the United States, who depend on long term oxygen therapy these devices are a god send as it allows them to monitor both their oxygen blood saturation and their pulse.

A healthy human being under normal circumstances has a blood saturation above 95%; for COPD patients who have been prescribed with oxygen therapy, this average tends to be in the 80´s - and so it is important they access and monitor it to be able to take corrective measures.

Types Of Pulse Oximeters

There are four main types of pulse oximeters: bed, wrist, hand and finger type. Each type has several models to choose from.

• A bed oximeter is used usually for an inpatient medical facility and is suitable for non-ambulatory patients and those who are chronically ill.
• Wrist Pulse Oximeter are normally used in sporting activities as well as for sleep monitoring.
• The hand-held type can be seen in a clinic hospital. It is commonly used in doctors' offices and emergency services because of its portability and affordability in comparison to the bedside units.

It is device with a finger tip slot, and is directly connected with a cord to a computer. It is placed on a finger or the ear lobe of the patient and used to measure light hemoglobin of the blood. It is normally used in cases where patients are at risk and blood flow is severely impaired. In cases of extreme urgency, hand held oximeters are clipped by health professionals to a toe.

• The Fingertip Pulse Oximeter is the best known and is widely used in medical facilities and even in households. It is a very practical option for to people, because it easy to use, affordable and manageable.

The user places his finger tip in the slot provided and works as a light is emitted and the reflection measured. The computer measures the light over several pulses and returns a reading of the blood-oxygen level. However, there are limitations when the light reflection is interfered with, for example over scars, wrongly placed finger and so on, as this can cause an inaccurate pulse oximeter reading.

There are other types of pulse oximeter. One type is the fetal pulse oximeter, assessed with the oxygen content of the fetus and can also measure the baby's heartbeat. The probes are inserted into the birth canal and the baby's skull. The sensor sees light on the probe and measures the hemoglobin value on the scalp.

For mobile patients the variety of pulse oximeter is more than enough to choose from however, the medical advice of your health provider is essential to achieve a correct interpretation of the results.