Fingertip Pulse Oximeters / Hospital-Grade

Our Fingertip Pulse Oximeters offer the features of conventional oximeters used by Hospitals and Doctors put in compact, user-friendly, portable configurations and have a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee.

The finger units accurately measure blood oxygen saturation levels (SpO₂) and (Heart Pulse Rate) and display the results on an easy-to-read multi-color display.

Simple to use, these unique devices deliver near-immediate results; just place the unit on your finger, press the button and within seconds the oximeter will display accurate readings on your
(SpO₂)and (Heart Pulse Rate).

Our Fingertip Pulse Oximeters are a spot check monitor for blood oxygen saturation and heart rate that use reflectance pulse oximetry (RPO).

What is a pulse oximeter? 

A pulse oximeter is an ingenious tool used to obtain oxygen (O₂) saturation levels and pulse rates in a non-invasive fashion. If you have ever been to the doctor or hospital and have had a small device clipped onto your finger, much like a small, fat clothes pin, this was most likely an oximeter. They come in many shapes and sizes and serve a variety of uses, however, all with the same end result - to monitor oxygen saturation. 

They are routinely used in operating rooms by anesthesiologists as part of their continuous vital-sign monitoring. They are used during the 6-minute walk tests done by our physicians or pulmonary rehab teams to determine possible supplemental oxygen needs, as well as used to evaluate our response to our current oxygen-use settings. They are used as a tool, as well, in overnight oximetry tests and in sleep labs to determine nocturnal (nighttime) drops in oxygen levels (hypoxemia) that may require supplemental oxygen-use and or other types of non-invasive breathing aids, such as Bi-PAPs or C-PAPs.

How does pulse oximetry work?

This is indeed a complex and interesting process. A pulse oximeter uses a beam of light transmitted through an area of the body, most generally a finger, however, toes and earlobes can be used as well under some circumstances, as in circulatory disorders or the presence of thick artificial nails or deep dark nail polish. The beam of light uses the color of our blood to determine the oxygenation of it. The color of our blood changes somewhat, depending on whether or not our red blood cells are adequately oxygenated.

Well-oxygenated blood is generally bright red in color, and will absorb most of the light being transmitted through the oximeter. Poorly oxygenated blood is more dark red-to-purple in color, and will not absorb the beam of light as well. Another fascinating aspect of the pulse oximeter is its ability to distinguish between venous blood levels and arterial blood levels. The mechanics of this magnificent technology allows it to distinguish between the pulsating venous blood and the constant flow of arterial blood. 

The measurements of oxygen levels obtained by way of pulse oximetry are extremely close to those obtained by the more invasive ABG. Regardless of the unit used -- the big, table-top units used in hospitals with running tapes or the smaller finger-tip, battery-operated units many COPDers have purchased -- the technology is the same.

Please understand that the explanation here is in lay terms from information taken from pages of technical information from an oximeter manual, and in no way is meant to indicate that they are simple mechanical devices, as nothing is further from the truth. The ability to put such complex technology in such a small piece of equipment is nothing short of amazing. 

More technical information regarding the Principles of Pulse Oximetry may be found at oximeter.org.

Do I need one? 

That is a question that only you can answer. Many of us on supplemental oxygen have decided to purchase our own personal pulse oximeter. We find comfort and security in being able to monitor ourselves and our oxygen needs. We use them when we get very short of breath to help guide us in determining what may be happening.

We use them while exerting ourselves or exercising to make sure we are maintaining adequate oxygen levels. If we notice severe drops or changes we are concerned about, we can then contact our physicians to decide how best to manage your individual concerns. 

Remember, oxygen is a medication! We should never adjust our oxygen flow from the prescribed level with out first consulting our physician. Some physicians are happy that their patients have an oximeter and are being pro-active in their own care, while some other physicians are strongly against their patients having one. The concern, frequently, is that a patient will become obsessed with checking and become overly alarmed at even minimal drops. This is often not the case; however, it can and does happen. Only you can truly decide if the out-of-pocket expense and extra security is worth it to you. 

Source: COPD International