Pulsoksymetrii

Pulsoksymetrii, commonly known as pulse oximetry, is a non-invasive medical monitoring technique used to measure the oxygen saturation level of a person's blood and their pulse rate. It works by passing a beam of light through a translucent part of the body, typically a fingertip or earlobe. A photodetector on the opposite side of the light source measures the amount of light that passes through.

The device utilizes two different wavelengths of light, red and infrared. Hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen, absorbs these wavelengths differently depending on whether it is carrying oxygen (oxyhemoglobin) or not (deoxyhemoglobin). By analyzing the ratio of absorbed light at the two wavelengths, the pulse oximeter can calculate the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen, known as SpO2.

In addition to oxygen saturation, most pulse oximeters also measure the pulse rate by detecting the pulsatile changes in blood volume in the arteries. These changes occur with each heartbeat, allowing the device to count the number of beats per minute.

Pulse oximetry is widely used in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and emergency medical services, to assess respiratory function, monitor patients during surgery or anesthesia, and manage conditions like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia. It is a quick and painless method that provides valuable real-time information about a patient's oxygenation status and cardiovascular health. Readings can be affected by factors such as poor circulation, nail polish, and ambient light.