PULSE

What is a
pulse?

Pulse (pulse rate) - as the

blood gushes through the artery
from a heart beat, it creates a
bulge in the artery. The rate at
which the artery bulges can be
measured by touching it with
your fingers, as on the wrist or
neck.

WHAT IS A PULSE OXIMETER?

A pulse oximeter is a device used to
perform the diagnostic procedure for
determining the:
Percentage of hemoglobin that is

saturated with oxygen

The oxygen saturation is a measure of
how much oxygen the blood is carrying
as a percentage of the maximum it could
carry and is sometimes referred to
colloquially as the sats reading.
The heart rate

The heart rate refers to the number of

times that the heart contracts in a period
of one minute.

What does a pulse oximeter tell

A pulse oximeter can detect you?
hypoxia (too little
oxygen to fulfill the needs of the brain and body)
before a patient shows signs of becoming cyanotic
(bluish discoloration of skin and mucus
membranes due to not enough oxygen in the
blood)
The oximeter looks for minute changes in
absorption as the blood is pumped past the
measurement site by the beating of the heart, so
selecting somewhere with strong pulse is
important. A weak pulse or restricted blood flow
A
may limit the oximeters ability to obtain accurate
CYANOTI
measurements.

C BABY
FOOT

What does the pulse oximeter not

measure?
The partial pressure of O2.
The O2 content of the blood.
The amount of O2 dissolved in the blood.
The partial pressure of CO2.
Respiratory rate or tidal volume i.e.
ventilation.
Cardiac output or blood pressure.

Kinds of
oximeters

TRANSMISSION
PROBE

In the transmission
method, the emitter
and photodetector are
opposite of each other
with the measuring
site in-between. The
light can then pass
through the site. The
transmission method
is the most common
type used and for this
discussion the

REFLECTANCE
PROBE
In the reflectance
method, the
emitter and
photodetector are
next to each other
on top the
measuring site.
The light bounces
from the emitter to
the detector across
the site.

WHO USES PULSE

OXIMETERS?

Oximeters are used by individuals who

require regular monitoring of their
oxygen level on a day to day basis. Pulse
oximeters are used medically by doctors,
nurses, dentists, EMTs and various other
medical
professionals
who
perform
regular or periodic spot checks on
patients. Persons using concentrated
oxygen, or those with chronic illnesses
of the respiratory or cardiac system
benefit
from
knowing
how
well
oxygenated they are. Oximeters can also
be used for health monitoring by
athletes, climbers, pilots and divers to

Where are pulse oximeters

put on?
Finger

Ear
lobe

Babys
foot

oximeters
Oximeters used in
anesthetic machine

As a desktop unit

A finger/mobile
unit

More types of
oximeters

is used
During
emergency
situations like
loss of
consciousness,
trauma etc.
After surgery
during the
recovery
phase

Monitering
the blood
oxygen
saturation in
various
aviation
situations.
Sport
application e.g.
mountaineerin

WORKING OF A PULSE
Pulse oximetry
uses readily available light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at two wavelengths:
OXIMETER
600 nm (red) and 940 nm (infrared). These wavelengths are not the perfect choice,
but they strike a balance between ideal and convenience and cost-effectiveness. The
two wavelengths are at points of the greatest separation between the haemoglobin
andoxyhaemoglobin absorption spectra. The light emitted from the sensor probe,
which can be placed on the finger, toe or ear-lobe, is absorbed by arterial and venous
blood, tissue and the variable pulsations of arterial blood. Using a microprocessor, the
signals from the red and infra-red light sources are equalised and the ratio of red:infrared light is calculated.This ratio is directly related to arterial oxygen saturation (Sp,O2)

Assessing readings from a pulse

oximeter

A normal reading for a person breathing room air is in

the high 90s; a reading of anywhere from 96% through
99% SpO2 is typically not cause for alarm. A reading of
95% SpO2 or lower could indicate hypoxia and should
pulse oximeter will also record your heart rate. Normal
beAinvestigated.
A reading of 90% or less indicates
heart rates are as follows, depicted in beats per minute
significant
hypoxia and requires immediate action.
(bpm):
Elderly Person (75+): Normal - 90
Adult: Normal - 60-80 / Rapid - 100+ / Slow - below 60
Adolescent: Normal - 60-105 / Rapid - 105+ / Slow below 50
Child (5-12 years): Normal - 60-120 / Rapid - 120+ / Slow
- below 60
Child (1-5 years): Normal - 80-150 / Rapid - 150+ / Slow
below 80

Advantages of Pulse
Oximeter
Fast speed : Pulse oximetry measures a patients arterial
saturation of oxygen (SaO2) in seconds; measurements
obtained from arterial blood gases (ABG) can take several
minutes to acquire
Accurate and easy to use : Little to no training is
needed to perform pulse oximetry. Most oximeters
have only one button and as long as the probe is
placed properly, virtually anyone can use it.. Also
they are accurate usally.
Non invasive and reliable : Pulse oximetry
is performed on a fingertip and measures
through the nail bed. As long as the
oximeter is used properly and is calibrated
regularly, it is easy to use and usually
reliable.

Disadvantages of Pulse Oximeter

Ineffective in Anemia : When hemoglobin levels in the blood
are low due to anemia, or loss of red blood cells, the pulse
oximeter is not an accurate measurement of blood oxygen
levels.
Color Interference : Because the pulse oximeter works by
sensing light wavelengths, anything that interferes with the light
spectrum can prevent proper functioning of the sensor.
Motion Sensitivity : When a patient vigorously moves the
extremity that the oximeter sensor it attached to, it can
interfere with the wavelength signals and cause the oximeter to
sound the low oxygen alarm.