New Pulse Oximeter Detects Desaturation Patterns in Adults

March 23, 2009 – The FDA has cleared the Nellcor OxiMax N-600x pulse oximeter with OxiMax SPD alert for adults, which enables the pulse oximeter to detect and alert clinicians of oxygen desaturation patterns, allowing them to make timely and more informed decisions about patient care.
With a reportedly high degree of sensitivity and specificity, the OxiMax SPD alert utilizes a complex algorithm to detect patterns of desaturation that are indicative of repetitive reductions in airflow. Detecting repetitive reductions in airflow is a vital measure of a patient’s respiratory status. Higher risk patients who may benefit from such monitoring include:
- Patients recovering from surgery
- Patients being treated with pain medications
- Sleep apnea patients
- Obese patients
- Elderly patients
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