The Advent Of The Pulse Oximeter

The pulse oximeter was invented by a Japanese electrical engineer

, Takuo Aoyagi, in the early 1970s. He found out that he could determine the amount of oxygen in the arterial blood by having pulses of light pass through a translucent part of the patients body. Aoyagi has also discovered that the variations in these pulses can also measure the amount of oxygen carried by the blood.

Every cellular structure in the body requires sufficient amount of oxygen as fuel in order for them to function properly. In much simpler terms, a person will die in a matter of minutes if he cannot have sufficient amount of oxygen for his or her brain. Hemoglobin is a substance found in the blood that carries oxygen molecules and transport them in different parts of the body. A pulse oximeter works on determining the level of oxygen saturation in the blood by passing through light waves on the translucent part of the body. The acceptable oxygen saturation that the device reads is between ninety five to ninety nine percent, but below ninety percent is still acceptable at some cases. If the percentage of oxygen saturation is below what is accepted, it indicates that there is something wrong with the cardio-respiratory systems of the patients body.

A pulse oximeter monitors the amount of oxygen in the blood as long as it is attached to the patient. Since doctors can see the levels rise or fall, they are able to prescribe oxygen therapies to patients suffering from oxygen distress.

Perhaps the most common of all types of pulse oximeters is the finger pulse oximeter, which has a small clip-like probe that is attached to the finger with a portable monitor. This medical device is so easy to use and read that there are models manufactured for home use.

The pulse oximeter works as it measures the variations in light waves. However, oxygen and carbon monoxide appear strikingly similar through the body tissues. People who smoke have residues of carbon dioxides left in their blood, which can interfere with the accuracy of the pulse oximeters readings. Therefore, they must be closely monitored by qualified medical personnel in order to get accurate results.

by: Jack Rogers

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