Saturday, September 6, 2014
Amazon's Top Selling Finger Pulse Oximeters are Not as Accurate as the O2Health DB11 and DB12
The following is a video testing the Nellcor N65, SantaMedical SM-110 (Made in China) and the Contec CMS50DL (Made in China) against the O2Heath DB11 and DB11 finger pulse oximeters (Made in Taiwan). There is a accuracy and performance difference between the different models.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Pulse Oximeters - Made in the USA
Turner Medical sells the only finger pulse oximeters still made in the USA. Nonin and Smiths BCI both manufacture their fingertip oximeters in Minnesota.
Nonin invented the first ever finger pulse oximeter. The model was the Nonin 9500. The 9500 "Onyx" was the standard for portable oximetry. The 9500 sold for $495 and over a million were manufactured.
Today there are hundreds of different finger oximeters, but the vast majority are designed and manufactured in China. The price of finger oximeters have significantly dropped in recent years but so has the quality.
Millions of people in the United States require an oximeter to provide oxygen saturation and heart rate information. The problem is that many of the oximeters on the market are not accurate. Nonin tested their oximeter against the Chinese models and the results are troubling.
The following is a video testing oximeters from ChoiceMMedical and Contec. Nonin used a tabletop oximeter from Nellcor and their military finger oximeter (Nonin 9550) for comparison.
The results speak for themselves.
Turner Medical has created an informational page on why we do not sell finger oximeters made and designed in China.
Nonin has also created a guide to help inform customers on what to look for when selecting an oximeter.
If accuracy and durability is important to you and/or your patients we highly recommend oximeters made in the USA.
Nonin invented the first ever finger pulse oximeter. The model was the Nonin 9500. The 9500 "Onyx" was the standard for portable oximetry. The 9500 sold for $495 and over a million were manufactured.
Today there are hundreds of different finger oximeters, but the vast majority are designed and manufactured in China. The price of finger oximeters have significantly dropped in recent years but so has the quality.
Millions of people in the United States require an oximeter to provide oxygen saturation and heart rate information. The problem is that many of the oximeters on the market are not accurate. Nonin tested their oximeter against the Chinese models and the results are troubling.
The following is a video testing oximeters from ChoiceMMedical and Contec. Nonin used a tabletop oximeter from Nellcor and their military finger oximeter (Nonin 9550) for comparison.
The results speak for themselves.
Turner Medical has created an informational page on why we do not sell finger oximeters made and designed in China.
Nonin has also created a guide to help inform customers on what to look for when selecting an oximeter.
If accuracy and durability is important to you and/or your patients we highly recommend oximeters made in the USA.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Ear Pulse Oximeter - For Poor Circulation
Pulse oximeters are typically placed on the finger to obtain an oxygen saturation (SpO2 %) reading. You can also get a reading from the toe and the forehead. Unfortunately there are many people who have extremely poor blood circulation. Even the best oximeters on the market can't get readings off of the finger and/or toe if the blood circulation is poor enough.
The earlobe is an excellent alternative location to obtain an oxygen saturation reading. The head is rich in blood and the earlobe has enough surface area with pulsating capillary beds to use an ear clip sensor.
The earlobe is an excellent alternative location to obtain an oxygen saturation reading. The head is rich in blood and the earlobe has enough surface area with pulsating capillary beds to use an ear clip sensor.
Turner Medical sells a variety of ear clip sensors from Nonin, Smiths-BCI and GE Healthcare. Ear clip sensors require a handheld or tabletop pulse oximeter. All of the handheld and tabletop oximeters we sell come with a finger sensor but we can swap out the finger sensor for an ear sensor.
We have configured our best selling handheld, the Nonin 8500 with an 8000Q2 ear clip sensor for just $325.
Nonin has also created a video on how to properly use the ear clip sensor:
Monday, March 31, 2014
Pulse Oximeter Calibration
One of the most common searches we observe is "pulse oximeter calibration". This common search term has increased significantly over the past couple of years. The quick answer to the popular question is no.
Smiths BCI created an information peace on pulse oximeter calibration. The oximeter calibration article can be found here.
"Pulse oximeters do not require a zero calibration because the design incorporates continuous automatic zero calibration. Gain calibration is not required because the measurement technique does not require gain accuracy."- Smiths BCI
Any type of product that has many manufacturers and has a significant range in price tend to have a range in quality. If an oximeter is reading incorrectly it is either broken or of poor quality.
A quality oximeter such as the Nonin Onyx Vantage 9590 has been clinically tested for accuracy and durability. Nonin also has military certification for their products. Nonin is the only company in the world that has received US military certification for their finger oximeters.
We do not sell inaccurate finger oximeters. We have created a pulse oximeter information page on inaccurate oximeters. The majority of the finger oximeter brands are from Chinese companies that focus on low prices instead of accuracy and durability.
If you require an oximeter to monitor the health of yourself and/or your patients we highly suggest you research the brand you are purchasing. There is a significant difference in quality and accuracy.
Smiths BCI created an information peace on pulse oximeter calibration. The oximeter calibration article can be found here.
"Pulse oximeters do not require a zero calibration because the design incorporates continuous automatic zero calibration. Gain calibration is not required because the measurement technique does not require gain accuracy."- Smiths BCI
Any type of product that has many manufacturers and has a significant range in price tend to have a range in quality. If an oximeter is reading incorrectly it is either broken or of poor quality.
A quality oximeter such as the Nonin Onyx Vantage 9590 has been clinically tested for accuracy and durability. Nonin also has military certification for their products. Nonin is the only company in the world that has received US military certification for their finger oximeters.
Turner Medical sells other brands of finger oximeters that have published accuracy claims and proven track records of quality.We do not sell inaccurate finger oximeters. We have created a pulse oximeter information page on inaccurate oximeters. The majority of the finger oximeter brands are from Chinese companies that focus on low prices instead of accuracy and durability.
If you require an oximeter to monitor the health of yourself and/or your patients we highly suggest you research the brand you are purchasing. There is a significant difference in quality and accuracy.
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