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NELLCOR FICTION:

"A study by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) published in Anesthesiology regarding Masimo's pulse tone (SmarTone) is further proof that Masimo reads when there is no pulse."

FACTS:

  • There was no study, but rather a letter to the editor.
  • Masimo's pulse tone algorithms (including SmarTone), are completely independent of its pulse rate and saturation algorithms.
  • SmarTone uses Masimo's advanced signal processing technology to maintain saturation tones with variable pitch—even during low signal-to-noise conditions such as motion artifact—when gaps in the tone not relating to true physiological events could cause an undue distraction during clinical procedures, or cause latent response to changing physiology. An eight second buffer in the SmarTone algorithm means the pulse tone may continue for up to eight seconds after the pulse stops and the pulse rate and SpO2 readings on the Masimo device zero out.
  • When questioned by a Mass General official as to why he didn't test the device with Masimo's "Normal Tone," which Masimo had provided to him, the biomedical engineer who was the first author on the letter responded that the clinical situation is so rare that he would be unlikely to observe it. Another author of the letter stated that a study to evaluate the behavior was impractical.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital continues to use Masimo pulse oximetry technology throughout the hospital, as does Brigham and Women’s and other hospitals in the Partners HealthCare Network.

PROOF: