Who Uses A Finger Oximeter?

A finger oximeter is an oxygen monitor used to measure oxygen saturation and pulse rate of a patients’ blood. Like the larger stationary, wrist, and handheld oximeters, finger pulse oximeters use two LED’s and a photodiode sensor to measure the oxygen capacity of arterial blood. One LED produces a red light while the other produces an infrared light. When the light is passed through a translucent part of the body such as the finger, nose, or ear, the emitted light is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin. The photodiode receives the light changes and for the finger oximeter to calculate the blood oxygen saturation.

Finger oximeters only measure arterial blood, which is the blood that carries the oxygen rich blood to the body’s tissues. Venous blood is not used because the oxygen has already been delivered to the tissues; thus would not be useful in determining oxygen saturation levels. Finger oximeters are useful for spot checking oxygen saturation out side of the hospital, because of their compact size and more affordable prices. Individuals can easily carry a finger oximeter in a pocket or purse so they can monitor their oxygen levels during activities. The portability is especially useful to active individuals on home oxygen therapy. Aside from clinical applications, finger oximeters are used in altitude activities that effect oxygen levels such as mountaineering, avionics, and diving. As the usefulness of finger oximeters is recognized, the electronic devices will be used for more applications. The industry as a whole is expected to grow in the next decade due to an increased need, increased knowledge of the devices abilities, and an increase of the technology being integrated into other devices. As of 2009 Nintendo added an oximeter, as a peripheral, to the WII as a “vitality sensor” thus promoting oximeters in the entertainment industry. Who knows what will be next.

Although oximeters do not improve oxygen the carrying capacity of an individual, it can help improve performance of athletes by helping to identify ways to control breathing to maintain optimum oxygenation by identifying periods of deoxygenation. Oximeters can also help sports enthusiasts, who partake in attitude activities, to determine when available oxygen is inadequate. Oximeters can also help individuals dealing with respiratory illness identify when they are over exerting themselves. Although monitoring your oxygenation with an oximeter can be helpful, if you have any concern about your health, you should consult with a medical professional.

Oximeters are just one tool used to evaluate oxygenation and should not be a substitute for qualified professional medical evaluation.

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Home Pulse oximeter, Oxygen Monitor

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