A mobile breathing rate sensor is a device that can measure the rate at which a person breathes. This type of sensor detects the increase in infrared light absorption as the CO2 molecules on someone’s exhalation pass by. This change in light intensity is then converted into a digital signal and recorded so it can be analyzed. The data can either be stored or sent to a computer and displayed soon afterwards, as it emerges from monitors placed strategically around the room (usually by hospital beds or stations).
Advantages of using mobile breathing rate sensor
Below are the advantages of using a mobile breathing rate sensor:
- It is useful for measuring oxygen saturation.
The oxygen saturation of an organism can be measured by the amount of infrared light absorbed by hemoglobin during its transfer to hemoglobin oxygen carriers in the blood. The amount of infrared light absorbed by hemoglobin is measured and the resulting signal is used to determine the proportion of saturation of a person’s circulating blood. This type of sensor is also useful for measuring carbon dioxide levels, which are highly correlated with oxygen saturation.
- It can be used to measure heart rate and pulse stream width.
The two most common methods used for measuring heart rate and pulse stream width are: using electrocardiogram (ECG) leads or using finger electrodes for ECG purposes. The electrodes are either attached at specific places on the palm or placed inside the index finger, but they are attached to a portable polysomnographic monitor. This type of monitor is made up of a small computer and has various sensors, including those used for heart monitoring and for respiratory rate measurement. The cable that connects the electrodes to the polysomnography monitor has a length of about 50 centimeters and it is flexible. The main limitation associated with this type of sensor is that it requires an expert to interpret its readings and also requires that you be still during its usage.
- It is a good way to measure oxygen saturation and carbon dioxide levels.
The amount of infrared light absorbed by hemoglobin is measured and the resulting signal is used to determine the proportion of saturation of a person’s circulating blood. This type of sensor is also useful for measuring carbon dioxide levels, which are highly correlated with oxygen saturation. Carbon dioxide levels can also be measured using a portable monitor that can hook onto an IV and have an integrated sensor connected to it for measuring the amount of CO2 that comes out with the patient’s breath. This type of monitor has sensors that allow it to connect with either an IV or a portable nebulizer.
- It may be used as a brain function monitor (BFM).
The BFM can be used to detect brain damage during the first few hours after the injury takes place. The BFM is placed on the patient’s forehead and measures various metabolic parameters, including oxygen saturation and plasma concentrations of carbon dioxide, lactate, and glucose. It uses small metal or plastic grids that are very sensitive to both changes in temperature as well as in light levels, and have a sensor attached to them. The metal/plastic rods are placed on the patient’s forearms and legs and are connected to a portable device’s electronic circuit for measuring the change in infrared light absorption due to erythrocytes concentration changes. They can also measure metabolic parameters such as glucose concentration and lactate.