The iWorx newsletter is a FREE monthly publication dedicated to sharing teaching laboratory techniques and other useful information with educators in the fields of Anatomy and Physiology. We will also be sending you technical information and info on new developments at iWorx that we feel may be of use to you in your teaching and research activities.

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iWorx has everything you need to add excitement and distance learning to any physiology teaching program. Our products include data acquisition hardware, professionally -developed physiology courseware, innovative web tools, and a full selection of transducers, cables, front ends and accessories.

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August 2006

  Experiment:  Exercise, Blood Pressure, and Oxygen
  Saturation Levels

The increased demand for oxygen during physical activity is met by changes in the circulatory and respiratory systems that improve the delivery of oxygen to muscles requiring more oxygen. These changes include increases in cardiac output and pulmonary ventilation, which are proportional to the physical fitness of the subject. Persons with higher levels of physical fitness have the ability to deliver more oxygen per cardiac cycle than persons with lower levels of fitness. So, individuals with higher levels of physical fitness can maintain greater work levels before reaching their maximum heart rates.  

Pulse oximetry is an easy, non-invasive method for determining how well the lungs are providing oxygen to the blood during rest, exercise, sleep, or medical procedures. The parameter measured is the oxygen saturation (SpO₂) of hemoglobin in the blood.  During exercise, healthy individuals demonstrate decreases in oxygen saturation levels, a condition known as exercise-induced desaturation. On average, subjects with higher levels of physical fitness have greater degrees of desaturation during exercise because they are able to deliver more oxygen to working muscles in each cardiac cycle than less fit subjects. Subjects, who improve their physical fitness through a more vigorous exercise program, also improve their delivery of oxygen to working muscles and develop higher degrees of desaturation during exercise as measured by lower oxygen saturation levels.  

In this experiment, the oxygen saturation levels, heart rate, and blood pressure of pairs of subjects of the same gender, similar body size, but different fitness levels, are compared while at rest and at three different intensities of exercise. The heart rates and oxygen saturation levels of the subjects are measured with a PO2-100D pulse oximeter.  The blood pressures of the subjects are measured with a BP-600 non-invasive blood pressure sensor. Some of the typical exercises that can be used in this experiment include: walking on a treadmill, cycling on a stationary bicycle, or stepping in place at different levels of intensity, or any other exercise that does not require significant movement of the arms.

Download high resolution  press optimized or low resolution screen optimized Exercise, Blood Pressure, and Oxygen Saturation Levels (PDF file).

Tech Notes:  The PO2-100D Pulse Oximeter
and the BP-600 Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Sensor.

The PO2-100D pulse oximeter is a simple device that can, easily and non-invasively, measure the oxygen saturation levels of blood through a sensor that clips over the end of the subject’s finger or toe. The sensor functions by emitting two wavelengths of light, detecting the absorbance of each wavelength by the oxygenated and deoxygenated forms of hemoglobin, using the programming in the unit to determine the ratio of the two forms of hemoglobin, and expressing the level of oxygen saturation in the blood as a percentage.

The BP-600 Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Sensor makes the recording of blood pressures over the course of an experiment easy and immediate. A pressure transducer connected to the blood pressure cuff detects the pressures in the cuff needed to determine systolic and diastolic blood pressures. The output of the pressure transducer, which is a voltage, is converted into units of pressure (mmHg) by calibration of the data acquisition device.

Learn more about the PO2-100D Pulse Oximeter from this tech note.

Learn more about the BP-600 Non-invasive Blood Pressure Sensor from this tech note.

PO2-100D Pulse Oximeter

BP-600 Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Sensor

iWorx is offering a 30% discount on the PO2-100D Pulse Oximeter and is available for just $795 (list price $995) until December 31, 2006.  The BP-600 Blood Pressure Sensor is available with a 30% discount at $147 until September 30, 2006.  BP-700 users can upgrade to the BP-600U for just $100.  Customers in the U.S. and Canada can order directly online.

PO2-100D

Pulse Oximeter and Plethysmography Sensor

$995

$795

  Users Area: Log-in or Register for Access to LabScribe
  Installers, Lab Manuals, and Settings Files.

Whether you plan to download any of the experiments announced in recent editions of the iWorx Newsletter or a new copy of the LabScribe Installation CD, you need a password and an ID to access the download sites for these items. 

To register for a new ID and password, please go here.   After you receive confirmation that user account has been activated, return to the same site and click on the Enter link. 

Registered users can log-in here.

To download screen or press optimized copies of the latest lab experiments and Tech Notes published in the iWorx Newsletters, go here and select the lab experiment of interest.

If you plan to use any of the experiments or manuals announced in recent editions of the iWorx Newsletter, you should obtain a copy of the settings group used to configure LabScribe for these experiments.  To download the settings file, right click here and choose "Save Target As" in the Internet Explorer browser or "Save Link As" in the Firefox browser.  Save the file in your LabScribe Folder.  When you launch LabScribe, the settings group will be available from Load Group command in the Settings menu.

The write-ups and the settings files for the blood pressure experiments in the iWorx Physiology Manual have been updated.  The latest version of the LabScribe Installer CD that contains the updates, is available for free on the iWorx Users Area.

Learn more about fitness, exercise, and oxygen desaturation levels by going to the external Web resources page.

On this page we have also accumulated a host of links to informative, external physiology Web sites and conveniently categorized them into major sub categories for easy reference.

New iWorx 2006 Catalog

iWorx 2006 Physiologist's Toolbook is now available in print and on a new interactive CD.   The catalog contains full descriptions and photographs of iWorx full line of integrated physiology teaching kits, Web tools, and courseware, as well as the complete range of advanced systems and components for physiology research. 

The new interactive CD version provides links to iWorx ecommerce Web site for easy ordering in North America.

Request your copy today!

Clearance Items

iWorx has a large supply of new and trade-in items at up to 70% discount.  Also check with us about trade in allowances for your older Powerlab or Biopac equipment.  Customers in the U.S. and Canada can order directly online. See specials