Masimo has received Japanese Ministry of Health Labor and Welfare regulatory clearance for its Rad-87 pulse co-oximeter with rainbow acoustic monitoring technology.

The device features an adhesive sensor with an integrated acoustic transducer, which is applied to the patient’s neck to detect upper airway acoustic vibrations on the surface of the skin during the respiratory cycle.

The monitoring technology is designed to measure respiration rate in real time to track and trend patient breathing, offering automated assessments that may enable earlier detection of respiratory compromise and patient distress.

Masimo founder and CEO Joe Kiani said that Masimo rainbow acoustic monitoring will accurately and easily monitor patient breathing, which is expected to improve patient safety and decrease the cost of care in hospitals.