| pulse oximeter n. A device, usually attached to the earlobe or fingertip, that measures the oxygen saturation of arterial blood. pulse oximetry n. |
pulse oximeter,
a device that measures the amount of saturated hemoglobin in the tissue capillaries by transmitting a beam of light through the tissue to a receiver. This noninvasive method of measuring the saturated hemoglobin is a useful screening tool for determining basic respiratory function. This cliplike device may be used on either the earlobe or the fingertip. As the amount of saturated hemoglobin alters the wavelengths of the transmitted light, analysis of the received light is translated into a percentage of oxygen saturation (SO2) of the blood. Also called (informally) pulse ox. Compare blood gas determination.
oximeter [ok-sim´ĕ-ter]
a photoelectric device that measures oxygen saturation of the blood by recording the amount of light transmitted or reflected by deoxygenated versus oxygenated hemoglobin.
finger oximeter a pulse oximeter whose sensor is attached to a finger, so that the oxygenation of blood flowing through the finger can be determined. See illustration.
Finger oximeter. Pulse oximetry transducer properly placed on a finger. Fold the Oxisensor over the end of the digit. Align the other end of the sensor so that the two alignment marks are directly opposite each other. Press the sensor into the skin. Wrap the adhesive flaps around the digit. Courtesy of Nellcor Puritan Bennett Corp., Pleasanton, CA.
pulse oximeter an oximeter that permits measurement of oxygen saturation in an artery by recording the different modulations of a transmitted beam of light by reduced hemoglobin and oxyhemoglobin as seen during the pulse. A component of the oximeter analyzes the variations in light absorption and provides a readout of the per cent of saturation of the hemoglobin. A saturation above 90 per cent corresponds to a PaO2 of 60 torr or higher. The presence of fetal hemoglobin, carboxyhemoglobin, or intravascular dyes may alter the accuracy of a pulse oximeter. In these instances a SaO2 of 90 per cent may not be associated with a PaO2 of greater than 60 torr.
pulse oximeter
Critical care A device that measures the difference in the light transmitted by oxygenated and deoxygenated Hb caused by their differences in light absorption within the circulation; the PO takes advantage of these differences
and provides an indirect measurement of the arterial Hb O2 saturation
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