Learn The Pulse Oximeter’s Function And Why Is It Important

Over the years, a lot of devices have been developed that have made a major impact in our daily lives. One of these devices that were invented is the Pulse Oximeter. In the field of health care, the pulse oximeter is deemed to be one of the finest medical breakthrough. Pulse oximeter is a medical gadget that can subtly monitor the oxygen saturation on the patient’s blood and the changes in their blood volume on the skin. This medical apparatus is typically positioned on the patient’s earlobe or in their fingertip. This will be affix in the medical monitor and the patient’s oxygenation will be observed at all times by the medical staff.

The first ever pulse oximeter was designed by Milliken way back in the 1940’s. The new and improved pulse oximeter was remodeled at Nihon Kohden by Aoyagi in 1972. The oximeter utilizes red to infrared light assimilation on the measuring site. Biox presented the pulse oximeter to the public in 1981.

A pulse oximeter has a screen for blood oxygen which can display the calculation of the patient’s arterial hemoglobin. The normal range that is acceptable is from 95 – 100 percent. This medical device is not invasive and it is also convenient with a pair of miniature light-emitting diodes or commonly known as LEDs that is facing photodiodes through the patient’s translucent part of the body such as fingertips, or earlobes. A substantial difference can be seen in the absorption involving the oxygenated hemoglobin to the deoxygenated form. The computation of the oxy/deoxyhemoglobin ratio will depend on the absorption ratio of the infrared light and the red light. While the light cross the earlobes or fingertips, the monitor indicator will bounce next to the heartbeat because of the expansion of the arterial blood vessels along with the contraction with every heartbeat.

As long as the patient’s oxygenation is compromised, you can use the Pulse Oximeter anywhere you want to. You can use it in the operating room, intensive care unit, emergency room, hospital wards, recovery room, as well as in a non-pressurized plane. This medical device will come in handy to individuals that is going through cardiac and respiratory problems, for instance, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

However, the pulse oximeter also has its share of restrictions. It doesn’t have the capability to check the metabolism of oxygen and the amount of oxygen that the patient uses. This only means that it will be essential to determine the level of carbon dioxide in the body. You also have to remember that pulse oximeter is not a comprehensive measure of circulatory and respiratory sufficiency.