The Crucial Applications Of Wrist Pulse Oximeters

By Marci Glover


Traditionally, oxygen saturation was measured invasely by drawing samples of blood. Oxygen saturation is simply the measure of the level of oxyhaemoglobing in the blood. The measure is especially important as it alerts on the level of blood oxygenation. The traditional means of measurement was inefficient as it was unable to equip clinicians with real time measurements. This ineffectiveness prompted the innovation of wrist pulse oximeters.

A pulse oxymeter is simply a device that non-invasively measures the arterial blood oxygen saturation and the pulse rate. The technique enables clinicians to determine SpO2 in people that are sedated, unconscious, unaesthetic or not able to regulate their own supply of oxygen. This avoids irreversible tissue supply. They are widely used in medical clinics, hospitals, homes and operating rooms.

Their medical application ranges from people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to patients suffering from asthma, emphysema and other such diseases and conditions. As a preventive device, it is used by pilots and mountain climbers of high altitudes to guard against hypoxia. Athletes, while training in higher altitudes, utilize wrist Oximeters because the oxygen level decline can increase the red blood cells and thus increasing his endurance.

Wrist oximeters offer a wide range of benefits. The device is relatively mobile and do not need an external source of power. They are simply attached to the wrist, making them more portable for the user that requires continued monitoring. In addition, they are lightweight and do not have long cable that could otherwise be caught or tangled when in use.

Their simplicity makes them easy to operate. To operate such simple equipment, one does not employ a lot of technical know-how and expertise. The only part that demands for some minor technical know how is in transferring the data. Taking readings from the screen is also quite simple as a result of their big display. This is completely contrary to the other Oximeters, such as finger based which have small displays and views of saturation levels.

The gadgets are readily available and within the reach of many people. When compared with handheld and finger pulse Oximeters, they have favorable prices. Their services are appreciated widely and from all age groups, ranging from pediatric to adults. Multiple of them fit pediatric and adult population, according to the size of the finger and unit ability of the individual to use different sizes and types.

The equipment can also serve as data storage. An internal memory is incorporated into the gadget for storage of information. It is also possible to program them for readings within particular set time intervals to enhance drawing measurements about the heartbeat rate and saturation. With this utility, extensive heart rate and the oxygen content is recorded and a software can be installed on computers to enable them generate reports.

However, they also have their own setbacks when compared with other applications. For example, the equipment lacks alarm. Their use is primarily for sleep screening, and that is why alarms are not employed. When alarm service is required, handheld and tabletop Oximeters are preferred. Though the instrument offers spot checks, it is not the most ideal when the primary need is spot checking.




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