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How an Oximeter Works
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A Review of the Different Types of Pulse Monitors
How Does a Pulse Oximeter Work?

A pulse oximeter is a photoelectric monitoring device that measures the oxygen saturation in a person’s blood by registering pulsations within an articular bed, and detecting the percentage of hemoglobin (Hb) that is saturated with oxygen.


This device takes a form of a portable pulse oximeter that consists of a light emitting diode, a photo detector probe attached to the patient’s finger or ear lobe which is linked to a computerized unit.

The unit displays the percentage of Hb saturated with oxygen together with an audible signal for each pulse beat, a calculated heart rate, and a graphical display of blood flow past the probe.

 

A pulse oximeter works by passing a beam of red and infrared light through a pulsating capillary bed. The source of light originates from the probe at two wavelengths.

The light is partly absorbed by Hb, by amounts which differ depending on whether it is saturated or desaturated with oxygen.


By calculating the absorption at the two wavelengths the processor can compute the proportion hemoglobin which is oxygenated.

The pulse oximeter is dependent on a pulsatile flow and produces a graph of the quality of flow.

Pulse oximeters may be used in a variety of situations but are of particular value for monitoring oxygenation and pulse rates.

There are several different styles of pulse oximeters, from table top models used in the hospitals, to handheld units and portable finger pulse oximeters. The handheld pulse oximeter makes use of a probe, which is placed in the person’s finger or earlobe, attached to the unit with a cord. It is more appropriate in a clinical setting than in the home.

Finger pulse oximeter, on the other and is very compact. The unit itself is placed on the fingertip and it shines two beams of light through the fingertip to sort out the color of the blood and determine the oxygen saturation level and pulse rate.

The portability of the finger pulse oximeters makes them a very popular choice for home use and for medical professionals who are always “on the go”.