We are a global medical technology company that develops, manufactures, and markets a variety of noninvasive monitoring technologies. Our mission is to improve life, improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of care by taking noninvasive monitoring to new sites and applications. We were incorporated in California in May 1989 and reincorporated in Delaware in May 1996.
Our core business is measure through motion and low perfusion arterial blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate monitoring, known as Masimo SET® pulse oximetry, but our product offerings have expanded significantly over the years to also include noninvasive blood constituent, brain and breath monitoring, including rainbow® Pulse CO-Oximetry, brain function electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring, respiration rate, capnography and anesthetic agent monitoring. In addition, we have developed the Root™ patient monitoring and connectivity platform and Patient SafetyNet™ remote patient surveillance monitoring system. We provide our products directly and through distributors and OEM partners to hospitals, emergency medical service (EMS) providers, physician offices, veterinarians, long term care facilities and consumers.
Pulse oximetry enables the noninvasive measurement of the oxygen saturation level of arterial blood, which delivers oxygen to the body’s tissues. Pulse oximetry also enables the measurement of pulse rate, which when measured by ECG is called heart rate. Pulse oximetry is one of the most common measurements taken in and out of hospitals around the world. Most pulse oximeter technologies work well when patients are well perfused and are not moving. However, when either or both of these conditions occur, conventional pulse oximeters frequently do not provide any measurements, or provide inaccurate measurements. We invented Masimo Signal Extraction Technology® (Masimo SET®) which for the first time, allowed pulse oximeters to provide accurate measurements even during patient motion and low perfusion conditions.
The performance of Masimo SET® pulse oximetry is proven by more than 100 independent and objective studies and thousands of clinical evaluations. We believe that Masimo SET® is trusted by clinicians to safely monitor approximately 100 million patients each year and is used hospital-wide by eight of the top 10 hospitals on the U.S. News & World Report Best Hospitals Honor Roll (2013-2014). Compared to other pulse oximeters during patient motion and low perfusion, Masimo SET® provides measurements when other pulse oximeters cannot, dramatically reduces false alarms (specificity), and accurately detects true alarms (sensitivity) that can indicate a deteriorating patient condition. Masimo SET® pulse oximetry has also been shown to improve patient outcomes by helping clinicians reduce retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in neonates, screen newborns for critical congenital heart disease (CCHD), reduce ventilator weaning time and arterial blood gas measurements in the intensive care unit (ICU), and save lives and costs while reducing rapid response activations and intensive care unit transfers on the general floor.
Our pulse oximetry technology is contained on a circuit board which is placed inside a standalone pulse oximetry monitor, placed inside original equipment manufacturer (OEM) multiparameter monitors, or included as part of an external “Board-in-Cable” solution which is plugged into a port on an OEM or other device. All of these solutions use our proprietary single-patient use and reusable sensors and cables. We sell our products to end-users through our direct sales force and certain distributors, as well as our OEM partners, for incorporation into their products. In 2013, we also began selling our pulse oximetry products in the consumer market. As of December 28, 2013, we estimate that the worldwide installed base of our pulse oximeters and OEM monitors that incorporate Masimo SET® and rainbow SET® was more than 1.2 million units, excluding handheld devices. Our installed base is the primary driver for the recurring sales of our pulse oximeter and Pulse CO-Oximeter sensors, most notably, single-patient adhesive sensors. Based on industry reports, we estimate that the worldwide pulse oximetry market is nearly $1.5 billion in 2014, the largest component being sensors.
After introducing Masimo SET®, we have continued to innovate by introducing breakthrough noninvasive measurements that go beyond arterial blood oxygen saturation and pulse rate, and which create new market opportunities in both the hospital and non-hospital care settings. In 2005, we launched rainbow® Pulse CO-Oximetry, utilizing both Masimo SET® and licensed rainbow® technology. We believe rainbow® Pulse CO-Oximetry includes the first devices cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, to noninvasively and continuously monitor multiple blood based measurements using multiple wavelengths of light and which previously were only possible through intermittent invasive procedures. In 2005, we launched noninvasive carboxyhemoglobin, or SpCO®, allowing measurement of carbon monoxide levels in the blood. Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of poisoning in the world. When used with other clinical variables, SpCO may help clinicians and emergency responders detect carbon monoxide poisoning and help determine treatment and additional test options. In 2006, we launched noninvasive methemoglobin, or SpMet®, allowing for the measurement of methemoglobin levels in the blood. Methemoglobin in the blood leads to a dangerous condition known as methemoglobinemia, which occurs as a reaction to some common drugs used in hospitals and outpatient procedures. When used with other clinical variables, SpMet may help clinicians detect methemoglobinemia and help determine treatment and additional test options.
In 2007, we launched a measurement available in both Masimo SET® and rainbow SET® sensors called Pleth Variability Index, or PVI®. Fluid administration is critical to optimizing fluid status in surgery and critical care, but traditional invasive methods to guide fluid administration often fail to help clinicians assess fluid responsiveness and newer methods are complicated and costly and considered appropriate only for the highest-risk patients. When used with other clinical variables, PVI may help clinicians assess fluid responsiveness and help determine treatment options. In March 2008, we launched noninvasive total hemoglobin (SpHb®). Hemoglobin is the oxygen-carrying component of red blood cells (RBC), and along with oxygen saturation, determines the oxygen content of blood. Hemoglobin measurement is one of the most frequent invasive laboratory measurements in the world, and is often measured as part of a complete blood count (CBC), which measures multiple other blood components. A low hemoglobin status is called anemia, which is generally caused by bleeding or the inability of the body to produce red blood cells. SpHb is available as a continuous monitor or a spot check measurement. Continuous SpHb monitoring provides real-time visibility into the changes, or lack of changes in hemoglobin, which can otherwise only be measured through intermittent, invasive blood testing. SpHb® has been shown to help clinicians reduce the number of RBC transfusions and in multiple cases, demonstrated its lifesaving ability to detect internal bleeding. Spot check SpHb measurement, when used with other clinical variables, may help clinicians assess whether a patient’s hemoglobin is lower or higher than they may otherwise assess without any hemoglobin measurement, which in turn, may help determine additional test options.
Our Strategy
Since inception, our mission has been to develop noninvasive monitoring solutions that improve patient outcomes and reduce the cost of patient care. We intend to continue to grow our business and to improve our market position by pursuing the following strategies:
- Continue to Expand Our Market Share in Pulse Oximetry.
- Expand the Pulse Oximetry Market to Other Patient Care Settings.
- Expand the Use of rainbow® Technology in the Hospital Setting.
- Expand the Use of rainbow® Technology in the Non-Hospital Setting.
- Utilize Our Customer Base and OEM Relationships to Market Our Masimo rainbow SET® Products Incorporating Licensed rainbow® Technology.
- Continue to Innovate and Maintain Our Technology Leadership Position.