Different Types of Pulse Oximeters

Pulse oximeter is a device attached on a translucent part of the body, either on the fingertip or on the earlobe. Its main purpose is to measure the level of oxygen in the blood of a person. Ninety-five to a hundred percent are the normal levels of oxygenation in a person’s blood. Lower than these may be considered as having mild to severe hypoxia.

There are different types of pulse oximeters available today. They are of different models and designed in such a way to cater to the needs of the patient. It includes the following: wrist, tabletop, handheld, and fingertip models.

The wrist type of oximeter is considered to be a comfortable model of pulse oximeter. It is just worn on the wrist, similar to a wristwatch and a sensor is on the finger. A small wire is used to attach the two parts for continuous monitoring of the patient. They are normally used in sleep centers for patients who are suffering from sleep apnea.

Another type of pulse oximeter is the tabletop oximeter. This type is not portable and is mainly used in hospitals because it has more sophisticated features like more sensors and can do continuous monitoring. It also has other monitoring tools like blood pressure.
The third type is called the handheld pulse oximeter. This is commonly seen at hospital which is similar to a fingertip device. It uses a light in measuring the hemoglobin through the fingertip.

However, it has a cable that is directly connected to a computer unlike with fingertip pulse oximeter which shows the result on the digital screen found at the oximeter itself. This is used for patients who are at risk in their lower extremities. In such cases, the handheld oximeter is attached on the toe.

The last type is the finger pulse oximeter. This device is clipped on the finger and has a tiny computer and screen. It is the most portable type as one can put it on the pocket or bag. It works through the light from both sides, once the light on one side emits the light, the other light will be measured on the other side. This is easily used, by simply slipping it on your index finger, it will measure and display readings on the screen on the level of the patient’s blood oxygen level. Among all the pulse oximeters, this type is the easiest to use because even if the person who will use does not know anything about getting oximeter readings, he will be able to do it properly because of the simple steps it provides.