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Masimo Debuts Rad-57, the World's First Monitor Capable of Noninvasively Measuring Carbon Monoxide Levels in the Blood

Masimo®, the inventor of Read-Through-Motion & Low Perfusion Pulse Oximetry, debuted the Rad-57(TM) Pulse CO-Oximeter(TM) at the EMS Today conference in Philadelphia. The Rad-57 is a handheld monitor that uses advanced signal processing to analyze data from a sophisticated, yet simple-to-apply, finger sensor to accurately measure carboxyhemoglobin (SpCO(TM)), the percentage of blood hemoglobin bound with carbon monoxide. The SpCO percentage provides the caregiver continuous measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) in the blood. In addition, the Rad-57 measures SpO2, pulse rate and perfusion index with Masimo SET technology.

Neil B. Hampson, MD, Medical Director at Virginia Mason Center for Hyperbaric Medicine and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, said: "Carbon monoxide poisoning is very common in the United States. It has been estimated that over 40,000 cases are diagnosed in emergency departments annually. This underestimates the magnitude of the problem because clinical suspicion and laboratory blood tests have historically been required to make the diagnosis. In addition to detecting unsuspected cases of CO exposure, a pulse CO-Oximeter has the potential to shorten the time to treatment of poisoned individuals by allowing first responders to make the diagnosis at the scene."

Dan Allen, EMS Coordinator for Royal Oak Fire Department in Royal Oak, Michigan, had this comment: "We recently had a situation involving a large number of people impacted by CO poisoning at a local indoor swimming pool. Based on the symptoms, we transported a number of people to the emergency room for further diagnosis and treatment. A non-invasive device that could measure the amount of CO in a victim would have enabled us to diagnose the more serious cases at the scene, placing them at a higher priority for rapid transport to the hospital. This ability would be of value in any case where CO poisoning needs to be diagnosed or ruled out."

"Evaluating firefighters at emergency sites is important," said Michael Richards, Fire Inspector with the Department of Emergency Services at Rutgers University. "A product like the Rad-57 will be a useful tool in ensuring the safety of our personnel at the scene." Without the ability to measure carbon monoxide in the blood, it is virtually impossible for firefighters, paramedics, and ER clinicians to determine if a patient has the flu, fatigue, or some level of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Prior to the Rad-57, the only method to accurately diagnose this type of poisoning required inconvenient blood tests using expensive blood gas machines that are not available outside the hospital environment where detection is often needed most. The ability to quickly and conveniently obtain accurate measurements in any environment will lead to informed and timely treatment decisions, which should save lives and money.

The Rad-57 is the first of many products Masimo plans to introduce that employs Masimo Rainbow(TM) SET technology. Rainbow technology obtains physiological information from an advanced new sensor technology that employs eight wavelengths. Prior pulse oximetry technologies, including Masimo's own award-winning SET, utilize sensors with 2 wavelengths. The additional wavelengths provide a rich stream of physiological data, which Masimo's engineering team is using to qualify and develop an array of new life-saving products and applications, beginning with SpCO and the Rad-57.

Masimo, founded in 1989, is the inventor and leader of Signal Extraction Technology® for the non-invasive monitoring of vital signs. Masimo develops, licenses, and markets advanced medical signal processing technologies and products. Masimo Signal Extraction(TM) Technology, or Masimo SET, represents the standard of care for pulse oximeters. With its introduction in 1996, Masimo SET overcame data dropouts, false alarms and inaccurate measurements due to patient motion, low perfusion and other challenging conditions. Over 100 clinical studies support the conclusion that Masimo SET is the most effective pulse oximeter in the world.

With the advent of Rainbow Technology, Masimo ushers a new era for noninvasive monitoring, where patients at risk of respiratory and cardiac complications, carbon monoxide poisoning and other life threatening diseases can be safely, noninvasively and accurately monitored with Pulse CO-Oximetry(TM). Masimo is headquartered in Irvine, California. Additional information about Masimo and its products can be found at www.masimo.com.

Masimo, Signal Extraction Technology, SET and LNOP are registered trademarks of Masimo Corporation. Signal Extraction, Rad-57 and SpCO are trademarks of Masimo Corporation. Rainbow and Pulse CO-Oximetry are trademarks of Masimo Laboratories.

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