Pulse Oximeters

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Pulse Oximeters

Pulse oximeters are standard devices in clinical patient care and enable rapid, non-invasive measurement of oxygen saturation. The range at Praxisdienst is intended exclusively for physicians, healthcare professionals, emergency services, hospitals, and other healthcare institutions. Devices for home use or sports applications are not included in this category. As medical devices, pulse oximeters must comply with the requirements of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR). The CE marking confirms compliance with applicable European standards.

How Pulse Oximeters Work

Pulse oximetry is based on photoplethysmography. Red and infrared light is passed through a well-perfused tissue site, most commonly the fingertip. Oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin absorb these wavelengths differently, allowing the device to calculate the percentage of oxygen-saturated haemoglobin in the blood.

SpO₂ indicates peripheral oxygen saturation. In healthy adults, normal values typically range between 95 and 100 percent.

In addition to oxygen saturation, pulse oximeters also measure heart rate as a secondary parameter. High-quality devices may also display the perfusion index (PI), which reflects signal strength at the measurement site and helps assess the reliability of the reading.

Measurement accuracy can be affected by nail polish or artificial nails, poor peripheral circulation, low temperature, and patient movement.

Types of Pulse Oximeters

The range includes four main device types that differ in mobility, functionality and clinical application.

Finger Pulse Oximeter

Finger pulse oximeters are placed directly on the fingertip and operate without cables. Their compact design makes them ideal for quick spot-check measurements in general practice, allowing SpO₂ values to be determined within seconds. They are the most commonly used type in everyday clinical routine.

Handheld Pulse Oximeter

Handheld pulse oximeters are designed for mobile monitoring in emergency care, hospital wards, and pre-hospital settings. A large, easy-to-read display, adjustable alarm limits, and integrated memory functions support continuous monitoring, while long battery life ensures reliable use in both clinical and emergency environments.

Wrist-Worn Pulse Oximeter

Wrist-worn pulse oximeters are commonly used in sleep diagnostics and long-term monitoring. They record oxygen saturation continuously over several hours and store data internally for later analysis of overnight or extended measurements.

Stationary Pulse Oximeters and Tabletop Devices

Stationary and tabletop pulse oximeters are designed for continuous monitoring in intensive care, operating theatres, neonatal care, and long-term care settings. Mains-powered operation, advanced alarm systems, and compatibility with sensors for adults, children, and neonates make them suitable for high-acuity clinical environments.

Device Type	Target Users	Clinical Application	Advantages	Limitations
Fingertip pulse oximeter	General practice, healthcare assistants	Spot-check monitoring in clinical settings	Compact, wireless, easy to use	No continuous monitoring, no alarm system
Handheld pulse oximeter	Emergency medical services, A&E, hospital wards	Mobile patient monitoring	Large display, adjustable alarm limits, data storage, long battery life	Higher initial purchase cost
Wrist-worn pulse oximeter	Sleep diagnostics, long-term monitoring	Continuous measurement over extended periods	Wireless, data storage, wearable design	Limited suitability for acute emergency use
Bedside / tabletop pulse oximeter	Intensive care units, operating theatres, neonatology	Continuous bedside monitoring	Designed for continuous operation, integrated alarm systems, sensor compatibility	Stationary use, requires mains power supply

Brands in the Range

The range covers everything from simple spot-check devices to advanced clinical monitoring systems. Masimo plays a leading role, with its SET® (Signal Extraction Technology) delivering reliable readings even in cases of patient movement and low perfusion. This makes it particularly suitable for demanding clinical environments such as hospitals and intensive care units.

The Masimo Rad-97 Pulse CO-Oximeter is a prime example of this professional-grade technology.

For handheld use, the UT 100 Handheld Pulse Oximeter from Utech Co features a 2.8-inch colour LCD display, adjustable alarm limits, and around 20 hours of battery life, making it suitable for continuous mobile monitoring.

For more specialised diagnostic applications, Rossmax offers the SB200 Finger Pulse Oximeter with arteriosclerosis detection, providing additional insights into vascular health via the APG index.

The range is further complemented by established manufacturers such as Beurer and Nellcor.

Frequently Asked Questions about Pulse Oximeters

Which pulse oximeters do clinicians use?

Clinicians and hospitals use different types of pulse oximeters depending on the clinical setting. In general practice, fingertip pulse oximeters are commonly used for quick spot checks, whereas in emergency medical services and A&E departments, robust handheld pulse oximeters with alarm functions are preferred. In intensive care units and operating theatres, bedside systems and devices with Masimo SET® technology are used to ensure reliable SpO₂ readings even under challenging conditions.

What are normal pulse oximeter readings?

In healthy adults, oxygen saturation (SpO₂) measured with a pulse oximeter typically ranges between 95% and 100%. Values below 94% generally require clinical assessment, while readings under 90% are considered critical. The displayed pulse rate at rest usually falls between 60 and 100 beats per minute. Interpretation of all readings should always be carried out by qualified healthcare professionals.

How much does a high-quality pulse oximeter cost?

The price range varies significantly depending on device type and functionality. Professional fingertip pulse oximeters are available in the lower to mid price range, whereas handheld pulse oximeters with display, data storage and alarm management capabilities are considerably more expensive. Stationary bedside monitors for continuous clinical monitoring represent the upper end of the spectrum. For professional use, priority should be given to measurement accuracy, sensor quality and compliance with medical standards rather than price alone.

What factors can affect pulse oximeter accuracy?

Several factors can influence the accuracy of pulse oximeter readings. Nail polish and artificial nails can interfere with light transmission, poor peripheral perfusion and low temperatures can weaken the signal, and patient movement may cause artefacts. The perfusion index can help assess signal quality, while advanced technologies such as Masimo SET® reduce motion-related inaccuracies.

What is the difference between fingertip and handheld pulse oximeters?

Fingertip pulse oximeters are compact, all-in-one devices designed for rapid spot-check measurements without cables or additional features. Handheld pulse oximeters, by contrast, feature a separate display unit with a sensor cable, configurable alarm limits and data storage. They are designed for continuous, mobile patient monitoring in professional healthcare environments. The appropriate choice depends on whether a single SpO₂ reading is sufficient or continuous monitoring is required.

Buy Pulse Oximeters from Praxisdienst

Praxisdienst offers a wide range of pulse oximeters, from compact finger devices to handheld and wrist-worn models, as well as tabletop monitors for continuous clinical use. Leading manufacturers such as Masimo, Utech Co, Rossmax, Beurer, and Nellcor provide reliable options across different performance levels.

The attribute filter helps you quickly compare devices by application area, design, and features, making it easier to select the right model for your clinical requirements.

The choice of device depends on the clinical setting, patient group, and required functionality. Our specialist customer service team is available to support you by telephone, email, or live chat.

For related equipment, you may also wish to explore the Emergency Care and Monitoring sections, as well as the wider Diagnostics range.