Pulse Oximeters: Types and Features

Pulse oximetry is a non-invasive medical methodology through which the percentage of oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the blood is determined, with the help of photoelectric methods. To practice this technique, pulse oximeters are used, always on parts of the body that are relatively translucent and have a good blood flow such as the fingers of the hand or the earlobe. Pulse oximeters emit lights with wavelengths, red and infrared that pass sequentially from an emitter to a photodetector through the patient. Then we measure the absorbance of each wavelength caused by arterial blood (pulsatile component), excluding venous blood, skin, bones, muscle, fat. By having this data, it will be possible for us to calculate the oxygen saturation in the blood.

Types of pulse oximeters

There are various types of pulse oximeters on the market, and depending on the needs of your health center, you can choose from a notable variety. Here we will present the most common:

• Fingertip pulse oximeters: their lightness and reduced size are their main advantages, which makes them ideal pulse oximeters for emergency kits. They usually work on batteries although we can also find them with a battery.

• Portable pulse oximeters: this type of devices are a little larger, heavier and more expensive than pocket ones, but they are still easy to carry. These are models that offer us much more complete monitoring than simpler models. For example, pulse oximeters like the Vsign manage 2 alarm priorities for adults and neonates, are capable of memorizing up to 72 hours of events, with visualization of heart rate and the percentage of SpO2.

On our DH Medical Material website, you can check our catalog of pulse oximeters. If you have any questions and need guidance, do not hesitate to contact us via email at info@dhmaterialmedico.com or call 938643707 and our commercial network will advise you on which would be the ideal pulse oximeter for your needs.