General Instructions For The Use Of Pulsoximeters - Primedic DefiMonitor XD Series Operating Manual

A3
21324 / 09.05 / 02 / GB
DefiMonitor XD

General instructions for the use of pulsoximeters

What is pulsoximetry?
A pulsoximeter determines the SpO2 value (oxygen saturation) by optical measuring
methods. This method is based on the penetration of light of different wavelengths
through tissues and vessel.
The components of blood important for the SpO2 measuring, are oxygenated (oxy-
gen-enriched) or deoxygenated (without oxygen) haemoglobin, i.e. exactly the com-
ponents necessary for oxygen supply of the organism.
The tissues and vessels are "penetrated by light" with the help of transmitter-receiver
elements. Depending upon the oxygen saturation of the blood the quantity of light
arriving on the receiver side of the transmitter changes. Thanks to the application of
precise modules and calibrated sensores, highly exact SpO2 measures are possible.
Usual measure points for the sensors are
Finger Tips
-
Toes
-
Earlobes
-
heels
-
Why are there different sensors?
As described in, among others, chapter 6.2 (selection of the correct SpO2 sensor) dif-
ferent sensors have to be used for different patients to guarantee reliable and exact
measures.
The following factors have to be taken into account:
weight of the patient
-
activity of the patient
-
duration of the measure
-
blood circulation in the limbs
-
possible measuring point
-
physical condition of the patient
-
sterile measure necessary?
-
Evidently no single sensor can meet all the, to some extent contradictory, require-
ments. The different SpO2 sensors are designed for specific purposes.
As an example may serve the sensor DS-100 A or the D-YS respectively from NELL-
COR®. DS-100 A allows rapid handling and it is simple to be slipped on fingers of
different thickness thanks to its sophisticated mechanism. But it is not suitable for
children because of its geometry. Using this sensor for patients who move a lot is also
not possible, as, due to the design of the casing the sensor might slip off the patients
finger. As the D-SY has no casing this sensor D-SY may be applied for higher weight
classes, moreover it might be positioned with more flexibility and can fixed with an
adherent strip, which reduces the rapid positioning of this sensor.
Operating Manual
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