looking for used pulse/ox

[Ellen]

Help - I am currently on oxygen 5L hooked into APAP, which I started a week ago this Tuesday. Dr. is hoping APAP may delete need for 02 eventually, but all I can do is use my Nonin pulse ox to set concentrator at bedtime after mask on and then check it again when I first take the mask off in am.

Rather than have the DME do a nocturnal oximetry monthly, I would like to keep track of this myself. Have just ordered the Encore smart card reader and software to track other info, but need to track nocturnal oximetry. I have looked at the BCI Fingerprint Handheld Pulse Ox/Summary Printer. They are $690 new.

Does anyone out there have a pulse ox like this they no longer use and would like to sell?

Ellen

[Guest]

Try Ebay. I bought one there. Just be sure the one you get has the features you want. For me, that was: (1) ability to record at least one night; (2) ability to print out chart on compatible printer; (3) alarms that could be set to wake me up on severe desaturations; and (4) ability to download data to computer.

If you want to buy new, you can find a handheld Nonin oximeter 2500-A ("A" for alarms) package, complete with nVision download and charting software for $1045 at http://www.scantechmedical.com/pulse_oximeters.htm. The 2500-A alone is $574. The Nonin 2500 model (without alarms) is cheaper.

I would stay away from the self-contained fingertip oximeters, unless you just want it for spot checks.

[Guest]

Thank you so much for the info on pulse ox - very helpful. Will check out those sights. Already have a Nonin quick check pulse ox which I've had to use since on oxygen Sept 05 -

Ellen

[Roger...]

I'm in the early stages of using a Nellcor N-395 Oximeter. This instrument was purchased on EBAY and it came with a dozen disposable, and one reusable finger probe. For consistent nightly use consider buying a unit that bundles a reusable finger probe as part of the sale if you intend to do the monitoring daily. Disposable probes are more comfortable, but over time they'll add to the cost of the monitoring. If you don’t find a device with a reusable finger probe, they can be purchased as an independent item, but each machine has their own type of probe from what I’ve seen.

If you look at the history of the Nellcor N-395 on EBAY, you'll find used units in good condition sell between $300 to $425 dollars depending upon what comes with the machine. There is also a Nellcor N-595 that is a newer unit with more features, but I think the N-395 is more than enough for how you explain the need. You'll find a N-200 Nellcor as well, but I don't have any insight into that earlier machine so others will need to jump in for that advice.

My choice of the N-395 was a result of what another user showed he was using, its popularity on EBAY, and in proliferation with direct DME outlets. These three Nellcor machines have the capability to record data for about 48-hours that you can review on the screen. In the two newest Nellcor devices, N-395 & N-595, you can view a graphic display of the oxygen saturation over multiple time frames in a simple display screen on the machine. These machines will also show your pulse rate history for the monitoring period as a stand-alone graph, or as a split screen graph that shows the pulse rate in one screen section and the oxygen saturation in the other screen section as a combined display. Manuals for these machines are fairly simple to download from the Nellcor web site, and Nellcor device operation is not too difficult to understand.

If you are lucky enough to find a used copy of Nellcor's Score software and can obtain a cable to connect the device to your PC, you'll be able to download the recorded data to your PC and create a printout that you can take to your MD for review. Doctors and Nellcor dealers might also be able to order the software new, but I hear the cost is near the price of a used machine.

I don't have the software, but I'm trying to develop some software that will help me at least download the data to display in Excel. I've just obtained the cable pieces so my effort is just getting started.

There are other oximeter users on this forum who have been helpful and open about their oximeter uses, so you aren't going to be a stranger here.

Good luck,

[Offerocker]

If you want to buy new, you can find a handheld Nonin oximeter 2500-A ("A" for alarms) package, complete with nVision download and charting software for $1045 at http://www.scantechmedical.com/pulse_oximeters.htm. The 2500-A alone is $574. The Nonin 2500 model (without alarms) is cheaper.

Problem is, they require a prescription.

[Bingo]

I would also suggest checking with whatever Equipment Provider you are dealing with.

It's not uncommon for them to have extra or old equipment that they no longer need.

Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't. However, if you have been dealing with them for a while, they are much more likely to be interested in cutting you a good deal.

Bingo

[snork1]

I also picked up the Nellcor-395 from Ebay without a prescription.
Works just fine with the reusable sensor held in place with an elastic wrist band and a small rubber band to lock it on the finger better.
Easy to review the next day, but I wish I had a setup for downloading to the computer to easily take the data to the doctor.

[Roger...]

I have a couple of simple programs I use to move data from my Nellcor to Excel that I could send along if you are fairly capable in dealing with software that doesn't stop people from making mistakes. One of the programs takes the data from the Nellcor and the other program cleans it up so it can be used in EXCEL. Both of these program will be improved to make them into one finished package, but work has been so demanding lately, that all my spare time is spent working right now. When work lets up, I'll go back to continuing my efforts so they are joined together and produce time lines similar to what Encore Pro uses for its time line.

If you think you'd like to play with them, send me an PM and we can exchange emails so we can work out how to get them to you.

[Sleepy-in-AL]

I recently purchased a used Nellcor N-200 on E-Bay. This unit is older, but it does the basics and the price was right, $200 complete. Although I had a prescription from my sleep doc, it wasn't necessary for this purchase YMMV.

If you are shopping E-Bay or Yahoo Auctions for a pulse ox. make sure to look for complete units, including the finger probe and preamp cable if applicable. The preamp cable sells for around $100 and the reusable probes aren't cheap either.

The N-200 has a standard serial port and uses a null-modem cable to connect to a computer. I downloaded the manual from Nellcor's website and it describes how to set everything up. It also has trend memories and event memories. It has 3 pulse ox averaging modes, depending on what you need. I usually set it for the shortest averaging period which I believe is a 3 second average. Then I set the serial port to send "beat to beat" format which outputs the pulse-ox and rate once each beat. I currently use a program called RealTerm, http://realterm.sourceforge.net/, to capture the data. This isn't ideal, because I don't get any real time stamp this way. Once each beat, I get a fixed length string which looks like "R070S095" followed by a CR/LF. If for some reason it loses signal, such as the probe slips off my finger, I get one string of "R000S000" then nothing until the signal picks up again. The RealTerm captures this data to a file which I then import to Excel using fixed length import and graph it to see highs, lows, and averages.

Hope this helps.

[Guest]

Oximeters aren't classified as a Class 2 medical device and prescriptions aren't required to buy a one. Ebay puts a disclamer on all medical devices as standard practice and won't list a Class 2 device, i.e. cpap, infusion devices, ect.

[Guest]

Oximeters aren't classified as a Class 2 medical device and prescriptions aren't required to buy a one. Ebay puts a disclamer on all medical devices as standard practice and won't list a Class 2 device, i.e. cpap, infusion devices, ect.

Then maybe you should tell that to the people that sell them......?

https://www.cpap.com/productpage/nonin- ... meter.html
Onyx 9500 Pulse Oximeter
This product requires a prescription for pulse oximetry.


http://www.scantechmedical.com/model_8500.htm
Pulse oximeters are listed as a Class II Medical Device by the FDA and are RESTRICTED to sale either to or on the order of a physician ***
Your prescription can be faxed to us at.....

[NightHawkeye]

Guest, just because a manufacturer states something as fact doesn't make that so, not anymore than if a newspaper prints something as fact. Manufacturers often mis-state things for reasons only they know for sure. Welcome to the marketplace.

Oximeters are non-invasive medical devices. EKG's are also non-invasive medical devices. No prescription required. No health damaging effects caused by either one (except to your wallet). E-bay freely allows both to be sold because they know this.

Regards,
Bill

[Wulfman-]

Bill,

That last "Guest" post was me. And, yes, I understand what you're saying. However, I tried to buy one from CPAP.COM a year ago and they wouldn't sell one to me without a specific Rx. So, I assume that to purchase one from a non-Ebay source DOES require a prescription. I would also be very skeptical about buying some of this kind of stuff off of Ebay.

Den

[NightHawkeye]

I tried to buy one from CPAP.COM a year ago and they wouldn't sell one to me without a specific Rx.

I didn't doubt your post at all, Den. I believe though that what you encountered was simply the result of a policy decision rather than a legal restriction. Any number of products are over-labeled simply for convenience or as a result of policy decisions. If over-labeled that way, then the consumer outlets won't relabel them.

Although manufacturers generally like to sell to anyone with money, their only real customers for up-scale oximeters are medical professionals so the labeling makes the products seem more professional, I suppose.

So, I assume that to purchase one from a non-Ebay source DOES require a prescription.

Don't think so, Den. Any number of cheap oximeters are marketed freely, I believe. I just went to this website.

http://www.portablenebs.com/dualoximeter.htm

Not a word of a prescription being required. It sure seemed like they were willing to let me order one when I tried, but I bailed out after starting the order process.

I would also be very skeptical about buying some of this kind of stuff off of Ebay.

Have you ever bought anything off e-bay, Den? I was skeptical, too until a couple of years ago when I stumbled upon an auction for a professional solid silver flute, with 20 minutes left in the auction, at a price about the same as the entry level flute I had just started renting for my daughter. The seller had 100% satisfaction rating and so I took a chance and snatched the flute. I had it checked out by local professionals. It was in excellent shape, my daughter has been pleased with it, and she has been playing first flute in her school orchestra with it.

Caveat emptor certainly applies, as does due diligence, but my own experiences with e-bay have been good.

Regards,
Bill

[Wulfman-]

Have you ever bought anything off e-bay, Den?

Bill,

OoooooH YEAH! For several years, my wife and I were adding to our "collections". I did have a couple of purchases that were not nearly up to the claims made by the sellers.....but I didn't pursue them. One was advertised as 90% but it was more like 10%. Like you said "Caveat emptor". However, the vast majority (and there were a lot) of the purchases from the Ebay sellers were good experiences. I also kept them to relatively less expensive purchases, too.

Last year, I DID find (not on Ebay) one of those finger pulse ox devices that was advertised as a "sports model" that didn't require a prescription. I eventually got out of the mood to buy any of them, as I felt my therapy was progressing well enough. However, I would still be leery about buying THAT kind of equipment off Ebay. Just my opinion.

Take care.

Den