Finger Pulse Oximeter

A Finger pulse oximeter is a small device that measures the amount of oxygen present in the patient’s blood. This is an indirect method of measuring blood oxygen levels in contrast to a direct method of testing a blood sample. The fingertip pulse oximeter device is worn on the tip of the finger and uses light of certain wavelengths to measure oxygen saturation in the blood.

   These devices are usually used in hospitals; especially intensive care units; operating theatres; surgical recovery wards; and emergency medicine departments. These are all places where patients can have unstable blood oxygenation. Since oxygen levels in low blood are harmful and can be a serious problem; it is standard to use a finger pulse oximeter in many medical cases. The device provides important information that assesses whether a patient needs additional oxygen or monitors the effectiveness of complementary oxygen that a patient has already received.

The finger pulse oximeter measures the amount of oxygen present in the blood circulating at the fingertips. The device does this by using red and infrared light to measure oxygen saturation. These types of light can measure the amount of oxygen present in the blood since hemoglobin absorbs different amounts of light depending on whether it is oxygenated or not. Hemoglobin is a component of blood that carries oxygen; This protein binds to oxygen molecules in the lungs and then carries oxygen around the body as the blood circulates through the vascular system.

Finger Pulse Oximeter

Red and infrared light rays are absorbed by hemoglobin; and the fingertip device uses absorption measurements to calculate the rate of red and infrared light absorption. Since this ratio depends on whether hemoglobin is carrying oxygen; it can be used to calculate the ratio of oxygenated oxygen to hemoglobin. The device is so sensitive that it can ignore signals sent by tissues at the fingertips; as well as non-organic substances such as nail polish. Only the light absorption of hemoglobin is measured. Measurements that help to increase the accuracy of the hemoglobin ratio are made in a timely manner with the heartbeat of the user.

Many types of finger pulse oximeters measure the user’s heart rate in addition to oxygen saturation. Measurements are displayed in a small reading panel. When the patient is in the hospital; the device can also be connected to a medical monitor; which allows staff to monitor the patient even when he is not in the room. In addition to portable oximeters that can be used at home; modified devices such as digital finger pulse oximeters are available; which are easier to calibrate and use.