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August 23 , 2021

Covid-19 Has Increased Search For Oximeter – Understand How Do They Work And Used?
Covid-19 Has Increased Search For Oximeter – Understand How Do They Work And Used?

All pulse oximeters available in the market work in the same way. They all have a sensor, a processor and a display of some sort. Covid-19, has increased the sales and production of oximeters, since even the common people has started searching for oximeter price (earlier only the hospitals and medical practitioners used to buy them). The present-day oximeters are portable fingertip oximeters wherein the 3 elements (sensor, processor and a display unit) are combined in one compact unit that is small and lightweight, enough to place on the end of a finger.

How does an oximeter work?

A pulse oximeter works by detecting the oxygen saturation of the oxygen carrying haemoglobin in the blood. It does this by detecting the exact colour of haemoglobin molecules in arterial blood. The colour of haemoglobin changes depending on how much oxygen it is carrying. Almost all oximeters have a sensor into which a fingertip is inserted. Less commonly, an earlobe, a toe, or nose might be the point of detection. Light is shown through the fingertip and a photo detector reacts to changes in the light after it has passed through this translucent tissue.

This information is passed to a computer chip which uses it to determine the colour of the haemoglobin molecules in the blood and changes in blood flow. By detecting changes in blood flow due to pulse surges the oximeters. The readings are displayed on the screen of the oximeter as percentage oxygen saturation in the blood (SPo2) and pulse rate (beats per minute).

Medical Uses

Pulse oximeters have become more and morepopular in medical settings and are used regularly in hospitals during surgery and in the recovery room. They offer a quick, non-invasive and painless way to check the oxygen saturation of the blood, which gives a good indication of lung and cardiac function. Their ease of use and the valuable information they provide has led to more widespread use in recent years.

A Valued Self Checking Device ForPeople with Cardiac and Lung Conditions

Battery operated, portable models are now available, a fraction of the size of surgical units, yet offering reliability and accuracy yet some reputed brands like Microtek has kept oximeter prices affordable for the common people to buy without putting extra burden on their pocket. Now anyone with a health issue such a corona, COPD or asthma can check on their condition during day-to-day activities. This can offer comfort and also regulate if their prescribed medication is sufficient or they should undergo oxygen therapy. This allows patients to report back to their doctor if needed, who will be able to advise further.

Other Uses for Pulse Oximeters

Pulse oximeters are commonly used by individuals with a condition that causes shortness of breath (one of the most common symptoms of Corona) which often means they are lacking oxygen in the blood. Besides, there use in health department, there are several models of pulse oximeters suitable for other uses such as sport or at altitude where it’s important to monitor the oxygen saturation of the blood.

As altitude increases air gets thinner, so there is less and less oxygen to breath in each lungful of air. At high altitudes hypoxia is a real danger. In the same way as a person whose lungs do not work properly may not have enough oxygen in their blood, a normal person can suffer similar symptoms at altitude. Hypoxia can be dangerous leading to poor concentration and decision making, and eventually loss of consciousness (passing out) or even death.

Pulse oximeters are a useful and important piece of equipment for the following activities:

  • Sport at high altitude and high-altitude training.
  • Mountain climbers. Hypoxia while climbing can be extremely dangerous.
  • Pilots of unpressurized aircraft such as gliders, helicopters, small planes, micro lights etc. It’s especially important to monitor oxygen levels in this case as passing out can have disastrous consequences if at the controls of an aircraft.
  • Free diving and breath hold training. SpO2 can be monitored for safety and to record improvements in lung performance due to training.
  • Some aspects of sports training especially simulated altitude training such as intermittent hypoxic training.
  • During sport when the individual has a previously diagnosed lung condition.

This was all about oximeter, how do they work and what are there uses. One vital suggestion that we would like to give is, always buy your oximeter from a reputed brand. Since it could be a matter of life and death for someone, having a reliable device is crucial.

If you have any doubts or queries regarding oximeter price and its attributes, please write to us in comment section and we will get back to you in no time.