Pulse Oximeters working Principle Pulse oximeter is a small life saving device that comes handy during times

of emergency. It can measure the level of oxygen in blood and the pulse rate of the heart accurately. The pulse oximetry works on the principle of distinguishing oxygenated and deoxygenated blood. Both light sources have different wavelength 65 nm and ! 5nm.The device consists of a probe that has to be fixed to finger or anywhere in the body. "hen the device emits infrared light# oxygenated hemoglobin absorbs it completely while the deoxygenated blood absorbs the red light. $ifference in oxygenated to deoxygenated blood gives the output. The absorption of the % wavelengths is calculated that helps to find the right amount oxygenated hemoglobin in blood. Pulse oximeter will not function properly in conditions like vasoconstriction if the flow of blood is sluggish. &ormally oximeters are calibrated perfectly during the manufacture process and it does not need to be recalibrated again. "henever the device is turned on the internal circuit automatically calibrates. The oximeter device are highly accurate and its oxygen saturation ranges between ' to ( ). In some devices the pulse wave is shown in the form of graph however inaccurate results may occur if the flow of blood decreases. *n oximeter gives alarm if the pulse rate is either too high or slow# it would also give alarm when the oxygen saturation level falls below + ). The portable pulse oximeter can give inaccurate reading in the following conditions ,a-If the flow of blood is low due to vasoconstriction# cold or when the person suffers from cardiac failure it can cause inaccurate readings. ,b-In venous congestion the device may give low reading if the probe is fixed to the ear lobe. .enous congestion in limb can also give inaccurate readings. If you feel the readings are wrong then try to re/fix the probe in a different place or reposition the probe. ,c- If the oximeter device is used in operation theatre then it is good to switch off all the overhead lights# if not it can interfere with the sensor and can give false reading. ,d- If methylene blue is used in surgery the percentage of oxygen saturated hemoglobin cannot be measured accurately.

,e-If the person has applied nail varnish on fingers# try to remove it completely using a nail remover so that the device can measure oxygen level in blood accurately. 0owever the reading does not get altered in persons suffering from diseases like 1aundice# anemia# etc. 2ximeters are most widely used in intensive care units of the hospitals to wean patient from ventilator. "hile in some diagnostic centers and hospitals hand held pulse oximeter is used in sedative procedures like endoscopy to prevent unexpected hypoxia. Source: Pulse 2ximeters working Principle