One of the most underrated medical technologies of today is the sensor. Medical sensors are tiny devices that can simplify processes, help with patient management and even save lives. No more have we seen this than in recent months, with the Coronavirus pandemic hitting the whole world full-force and leaving a tidal wave of devastation in its wake.
Many of us assume that ventilators have proved vital in the recovery of the hardest-hit Coronavirus patients, and while this is true, the ventilator wouldn’t exist without its oxygen sensor.
Sensors and COPD
Oxygen sensors like those sold at Sensoronics can be used for a number of medical purposes. Before COVID-19, they were most familiar in the healthcare industry to those who had COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD can cause low levels of oxygen in the blood, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Many patients with advanced COPD use portable oxygen devices that can provide them with supplemental oxygen whenever they may need it. In this device, a sensor is used to detect when a patient’s oxygen levels are lower than average. This ensures that the right amount of oxygen can be delivered to the patient at any given time.
The useful thing about oxygen sensors is that they’re small and obstructive enough to be used on portable devices, so there’s no need for COPD patients to visit their local hospital or doctor’s office to receive the supplemental oxygen they need. This helps to improve the quality of life of a COPD patient, while also reducing the risk of a decline in health while a patient is away from the hospital setting.
Sensors and COVID-19
Sensors for COVID-19 work in a very similar way, although they’re predominantly located inside hospitals, for use on ventilators or respiratory machines.
When a patient with COVID-19 experiences problems relating to their respiration, such as pneumonia, a common side-effect of the virus, they may need to receive oxygen for several hours or days while they recover.
Pneumonia often causes the lung’s air sacs, known scientifically as alveoli, to fill with fluid. This makes it difficult for oxygen to pass into the blood, as it usually would when it reaches the lungs. A respirator with an oxygen sensor can be used to detect the oxygen saturation of a person’s lungs, and deliver the right amount of gas to make up for what the patient is missing out on.
A respirator simply wouldn’t work without an oxygen sensor. These tiny pieces of technology are capable of incredible things. They’re incredibly helpful in COVID-19 wards, as they take away what would be quite a time-consuming task for a medical professional, thereby limiting unnecessary exposure to staff.
Sensors don’t last forever – after several years of sustained use, they will need replacing. Replacements are available directly from the manufacturer or from companies that sell medical equipment from the manufacturer. While respirators are in higher demand than ever, stocking up on replacement sensors is absolutely essential for any healthcare facility treating COVID-19.
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