MedicineNet.com
MedicineNet home Picture Slideshows Diseases and conditions Symptoms and signs Procedures and tests Medications Health and Living Health news and views MedTerms medical dictionary
Font Size
A
A
A


Oximetry

Medical Author: George Schiffman, MD
Medical Editor: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD

What is oximetry?

Oximetry is a procedure for measuring the concentration of oxygen in the blood. The test is used in the evaluation of various medical conditions that affect the function of the heart and lungs.

How is oximetry done?

This is done using an oximeter, a photoelectric device specially designed for this purpose. A reusable probe can be placed on the finger or a single use tape probe is placed on the earlobe or finger.

What are pulse oximeters?

The oximeters most commonly used today are called pulse oximeters because they respond only to pulsations, such as those in pulsating capillaries of the area tested.

How common are oximeters?

Oximeters are now a virtual fixture in intensive care units, pulmonary units and elsewhere in hospitals and health care facilities.

How does a pulse oximeter function?

A pulse oximeter works by passing a beam of red and infrared light through a pulsating capillary bed. The ratio of red to infrared blood light transmitted gives a measure of the oxygen saturation of the blood. The oximeter works on the principle that the oxygenated blood is a brighter color of red than the deoxygenated blood, which is more blue-purple. First, the oximeter measures the sum of the intensity of both shades of red, representing the fractions of the blood with and without oxygen. The oximeter detects the pulse, and then subtracts the intensity of color detected when the pulse is absent. The remaining intensity of color represents only the oxygenated red blood. This is displayed on the electronic screen as a percentage of oxygen saturation in the blood.

Are there other types of oximetry?

Yes. Oximetry can also be done on blood that is within the heart (intracardiac oximetry) or on whole blood that has been removed from the body. More recently, using a similar technology to oxymetry, carbon dioxide levels can be measured at the skin as well.


Last Editorial Review: 5/21/2007




Printer-Friendly Format  |  Email to a Friend


Suggested Reading by Our Doctors
MedicineNet Doctors
  • Emphysema - Learn about emphysema, a progressive lung disease. Emphysema is a symptom of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) with symptoms like shortness of breath, wheezing. Manifestations of COPD include chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchiectasis, and emphysema.
  • Lungs Design And Purpose - Learn about the design and purpose of the lungs including how oxygen is taken into the body and carbon dioxide is expelled through gas exchange. Healthy lungs are important, and there are many diseases of the lung(s).

Latest Medical News


Allergies & Asthma

Improve treatments & prevent attacks.




Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Pinpoint Your Symptoms - Start Now Symptoms & Signs A-Z List Symptoms & Signs by Female Body Region Symptoms & Signs by Male Body Region

Topics Related to Oximetry


Oximetry
RSS FeedSpecialty RSS       Add to My Yahoo! What is this?

Asthma and OzoneAsthma and Ozone
Researchers are trying to find out exactly why ozone has an impact on asthma and what to do about it. See more WebMD Videos »






Top 2
Oximetry Related Articles







Health categories:

Slideshows | Diseases & Conditions | Symptoms & Signs | Procedures & Tests | Medications | Health & Living | News & Views | Medical Dictionary

Popular health centers:

Allergies | Arthritis | Cancer | Diabetes | Digestion | Healthy Kids | Heart | Men's Health | Mental Health | Women's Health | More...

Publications:

ePublications (PDFs) | XML News via RSS | Audio Podcasts | Email Newsletters

MedicineNet.com:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Search Help | Site Map | WebMD® | Medscape® | eMedicine® | eMedicineHealth® | RxList®

This website is certified by Health On the Net Foundation. Click to verify. This site complies to the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here.

©1996-2009 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved. Notices and Legal Disclaimer.
MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information.