The medical device will be positioned and within a few seconds, the oximeter will provide a readout of your heart rate and your oxygen saturation level.
There are no needles and no pain involved in oximetry measurement. Some hospitals also use disposable tape probes that wrap around your finger, nose, or toe.
The pulse oximeter uses a cold light source that shines light through the fingertip, making the tip appear red. By analyzing the light from the light source passing through the finger, the device can determine the percentage of oxygen in the red blood cell.
Check the device label or the manufacturer’s website to understand the accuracy of a particular brand of pulse oximeter and sensor.
Different brands of pulse oximeters and even different sensors, finger clip versus adhesive, can have a different level of accuracy.
Pulse oximeters are less accurate when oxygen saturations are less than 80%.
How does an o2 finger sensor work?
Hemoglobin is a protein molecule that exists inside red blood cells. Hemoglobin carries oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body.
The light detector inside the pulse oximeter detects how much red light and how much infrared light is absorbed as the light passes through your finger and your red blood cells.
Oxygenated hemoglobin absorbs more infrared light, while deoxygenated hemoglobin absorbs more red light.
The sensor inside a pulse oximeter uses the ratio of red light to infrared light, after the light passes through your finger, to measure oxygen saturation levels in the blood.
It sounds complicated, but there is no effort or pain for you and the reading takes only a few seconds.
Your doctor may recommend pulse oximetry readings if you have a condition that affects your heart rate or blood oxygen levels, or if you’re an athlete who participates in high-intensity exercise (or exercises at high altitudes).
Also, some doctors recommend that everyone have a pulse oximeter in their home to monitor their blood oxygen saturation levels. A respiratory illness and the pandemic virus can affect blood oxygen levels, sometimes causing blood oxygen levels to drop suddenly.
Pulse Oximeter Price
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FDA approved pulse oximeter
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