What is an Oximeter

Pulse oximeters are medical devices commonly used throughout the healthcare industry. A fingertip pulse oximeter (pulse ox) is a small, portable device that is used to non-invasively measure the oxygen saturation levels in the blood. The pulse oximeter will show the % oxygen saturation and the pulse rate of the user.

Who uses Pulse Oximeters and Which Pulse Oximeter is best for me?

Pulse Oximeters are used by a wide variety of individuals for many different reasons. 

• To monitor pulse rate during physical exercise.  Athletes may wear a pulse oximeter during exercise simply to monitor their oxygen levels during strenuous workouts or to achieve the optimal heart rate to succeed in their work-out goals.
• Individual with respiratory conditions and patients recovering from a recent illness or surgery may wear a pulse oximeter during exercise in accordance with their doctor’s recommendations for physical activity.
• To take control of your physical health by periodically monitoring oxygen saturation levels or heart rate throughout the day.
• During flights or during high-altitude exercising individuals can use the pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen saturation levels to ensure adequate oxygenation.

You may have noticed that pulse oximeters are used throughout the community during visits to the doctor or dentist.  These devices are easy-to-use and the perfect tool to “spot check” a pulse rate or oxygen saturation level. To check the differences between the pulse oximeters and determine which pulse oximeter is best for you please click on our comparison table (www.

What are the differences between the Pulse Oximeters?

Fingertip Pulse Oximeter: The fingertip pulse oximeter is most commonly used at home and outside of the clinic setting. These devices are gently clamped onto the fingertip and provide pulse rate and oxygen saturation readings.  The fingertip pulse oximeter is small, portable, easy-to-use and provide immediate digitally displayed results. 

Handheld Pulse Oximeter: The handheld pulse oximeter is most commonly recommended for use at a clinic.  These devices come equipped with an adult fingertip sensor that is attached to a handheld display device. Pediatric or Neonatal sensors are also available for use with the handheld device.  The handheld pulse oximeter is able to monitor pulse rate and oxygen saturation results, store results, download and print reports.

Wrist Pulse Oximeter: The wrist pulse oximeter uses the fingertip sensor but the display attaches to the wrist like a watch.  This is a great unit to use for continuous monitoring while walking or for individuals who do not want to constantly carry around a fingertip oximeter.  The wrist oximeter is able to store and download results and print reports.

How accurate are Pulse Oximeters?

• SpO₂ accuracy is no greater than 3% for SpO₂ ranges from 70% to 100%. 
• Pulse rate accuracy is +/- 2bpm or +/- 2%

What is the range of the SpO₂ and Pulse Rate on the pulse oximeters?

• SpO₂ measuring range is 35 ~99%
• Pulse Rate measuring range is 30 beats per minute ~240 beats per minute

Do the devices have preset alarms or are the alarms adjustable?

Most fingertip pulse oximeters will have preset audio alarms. 

SpO₂ alarm will beep at the lower limit of 90%.

Pulse rate alarm will beep at the lower limit of 50 beats per minute and at the upper limit of 120 beats per minute.

The Wrist monitor and handheld devices do have adjustable alarms that the user may set.

The Workings of a Pulse Oximeter

The workings of a pulse oximeter are based on the latest processor chip technology, where accuracy is combined with portability. Once oxygen is breathed in the lungs, it enters the blood and attaches to hemoglobin as a means of transportation in the bloodstream. The oxygenated blood then circulates to various tissues in the human body. To understand the workings of a pulse oximeter, it is important to understand that oxygenated blood absorbs light at different levels compared to deoxygenated blood. Pulse oximeters utilize the light absorptive characteristics of hemoglobin and the varying pulsating nature of blood flow to measure oxygenation saturation levels.

Pulse oximeters consist of two (2) light emitting diodes and two (2) light collecting sensors, which are designed to measure the amount of red and infra-red light emerging from tissues traversed by the light rays. Oxygen-rich hemoglobin absorbs more of the infra-red light and the hemoglobin without oxygen absorbs more of the red light. Pulse oximeters calculate SPO₂ and pulse rate based on the variations of the infra-red and red light absorption.

Based on Lamber-Beer Law, the light absorbance of a given substance is directly proportional with its density or concentration.  When the light with certain wavelength emits on human tissue, the measured intensity of light after absorption, reflecting and attenuation in tissue can reflect the structure character of the tissue by which the light passes.  Due to the fact that oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (Hb) have different absorption characteristics, the spectrum range from red to infrared light (600nm~1000nm wavelength), by using these characteristics the SpO₂ can be determined.  SpO₂ measured by the oximeter is the functional oxygen saturation – a percentage of the hemoglobin that can transport oxygen. 

What is SpO₂?

SpO₂ is the saturation percentage of oxygen in the blood, so call O2 concentration in the blood; it is defined by the percentage of oxyhemoglobin of the arterial blood.  SpO₂ is an important physiological parameter to reflect the respiration function; it is calculated by the following method:

SpO₂ = HbO2/(HbO2+ Hb) x 100%

HbO2 are the oxyhemoglobins (oxygenated hemoglobin) while Hb are those hemoglobins which release oxygen.

Directions for Operation

1. Open the clip and place the finger into the rubber cushions of the device.  It is important that the finger comes in contact with the sensor indicated by a red light. In general, the index finger or ring finger are best for achieving an accurate pulse rate and oxygen saturation level.
2. Remain still while the device takes the measurement. Moving your hand, fingers or arm may interfere with getting an accurate reading.
3. Measurement result will be displayed on the screen.  %SpO₂:  Percent oxygen saturation.  Pulse beat icon:  BPM or beats per minute. The amount of oxygen in the blood is given in a percentage. For example, if the reading is 100% your blood is saturated with oxygen at 100 percent which is the highest amount possible.  

Tips & Warnings

• Remove all fingernail polish. Remove any fingernail polish. The pulse oximetry does not work as effectively if placed on a finger with nail polish.
• Cold fingers may not be able to get a viable reading. Warm the hand by placing a warm towel on it for a few minutes and repeat the above procedure.
• Very poor circulation will affect the ability for the sensor to pick up a reading.

Please Note

Pulse Oximeters Plus oximetry products including but not limited to fingertip pulse oximeter, hand held oximeters, sleep unit oximeters, and all accessories are not intended to replace a physician’s professional medical diagnosis or to cure any disease or ailment.