Nellcor
Nellcor is a medical-device brand best known for pulse oximeters, sensors, and OEM monitoring technology.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Nellcor is an American medical-device brand specializing in pulse oximetry and related patient-monitoring technology. The company was established in 1981 by anesthesiology researcher William New, Jr., together with Jack Lloyd and James Corman. New's work at Stanford University focused on non-invasive measurement of blood oxygen levels, and the founders formed Nellcor to commercialize pulse oximetry for clinical use. The brand name was derived from elements of the founders' names. Nellcor's early business centered on devices that used red light-emitting diodes and dedicated patient sensors to measure oxygen saturation, commonly expressed as SpO2, and pulse rate. Its first major product was the N-100 bedside pulse oximeter, followed by the portable N-10. The company's sensors included reusable finger-clamp designs and adhesive disposable versions, connected to monitors through a patient module. These products helped establish pulse oximetry as a practical bedside technology for identifying changes in a patient's oxygenation, especially during and after surgery. The clinical importance of continuous oxygen monitoring increased during the 1980s. In 1986, the American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended continuous monitoring of arterial oxygen levels for patients receiving anesthesia, contributing to broader adoption of pulse oximetry in operating rooms and other care settings. Nellcor expanded its product range with additional bedside and handheld monitors, connectivity features, waveform and printing accessories, and later systems aimed at fetal oxygen monitoring. It also supplied OEM oximetry modules to other medical-equipment manufacturers, including GE Healthcare, Philips, Spacelabs Healthcare, Welch Allyn, and Nihon Kohden. Nellcor became a public company through an initial public offering in 1987. During the 1990s, it broadened its business through acquisitions in hospital-monitoring software, sleep-apnea monitoring, home respiratory care, sleep diagnostics, and ventilation. The 1995 acquisition of Puritan Bennett led to the name Nellcor Puritan Bennett, while the acquisition of Infrasonics in 1996 further expanded the company's involvement in ventilators and respiratory care. In 1997, Mallinckrodt acquired Nellcor Puritan Bennett. The business subsequently passed through Tyco Healthcare after Tyco International acquired Mallinckrodt, then became part of Covidien when Covidien separated from Tyco in 2007. Medtronic acquired Covidien in 2015 and thereby inherited the Nellcor brand, technologies, products, and related intellectual property. Medtronic continues to market Nellcor-branded pulse oximeter systems, sensors, and accessories. Nellcor therefore operates today primarily as a brand and product family within Medtronic rather than as an independent corporation. In 2022, Medtronic announced plans to separate its combined Patient Monitoring and Respiratory Interventions businesses. In February 2024, it reversed that plan and said those activities would instead be combined into an Acute Care & Monitoring business. The change placed Nellcor products within that Medtronic organization.
History
Nellcor was founded in 1981 by William New, Jr., Jack Lloyd, and James Corman. New was a Stanford University anesthesiology professor whose research examined ways to measure blood oxygen non-invasively. The new company was created to turn that research into practical pulse-oximetry equipment, and its name was formed from parts of the founders' names. New served as the venture's chief executive. The company's first significant device was the N-100 bedside pulse oximeter, introduced in the early 1980s. It displayed oxygen saturation and pulse rate using red LED indicators and could produce a pulse-synchronous audio signal whose pitch varied with oxygen saturation. The device used a physical control interface for alarm settings and other adjustments. Nellcor then introduced the N-10, a smaller handheld monitor that could run from rechargeable power or batteries and could be fitted with a compact printer accessory. Its sensor portfolio included reusable finger clamps and disposable adhesive sensors, connected to the monitor by a patient module. Nellcor expanded the early range with the N-200 in 1986. That device included C-Lock ECG synchronization, intended to improve pulse-rate measurement by correlating pulse signals with an ECG signal. It also provided serial and analog connections for central monitoring systems and printers. The N-180 followed as another bedside model in 1987, and Nellcor became publicly traded that year on the Nasdaq National Market. The N-20, introduced in 1993, updated the handheld concept with a smaller and lighter design. The N-3000 Symphony, released in 1995, used stackable optional modules for functions such as non-invasive blood-pressure measurement and waveform display or printing. The N-400, introduced in 2000, addressed fetal oxygen-saturation monitoring. The market for pulse oximetry grew as clinicians recognized the value of continuously tracking oxygenation during anesthesia, surgery, recovery, and other forms of acute care. A 1986 recommendation from the American Society of Anesthesiologists supporting continuous arterial-oxygen monitoring for patients receiving anesthesia helped reinforce pulse oximetry as a standard clinical practice. Nellcor also pursued an OEM model, selling oximetry modules and technology to manufacturers whose patient monitors incorporated the company's measurement capabilities. Reported OEM partners included GE Healthcare, Philips, Spacelabs Healthcare, Welch Allyn, and Nihon Kohden. During the 1990s, Nellcor moved beyond standalone pulse oximeters through acquisitions. In 1990 it acquired Radiant Systems, a Kansas City company developing hospital-monitoring software. In 1991 it acquired EdenTec, a Minnesota manufacturer of sleep-apnea monitors. In 1995 it acquired Puritan Bennett, expanding into respiratory care and prompting the name Nellcor Puritan Bennett. That year it also acquired Pierre Medical, a French maker of home-respiratory products including non-invasive ventilators and sleep-apnea systems, and Melville Software, a Canadian developer of sleep-diagnostic products. In 1996, Nellcor Puritan Bennett acquired Infrasonics, a San Diego ventilator manufacturer. Mallinckrodt acquired Nellcor Puritan Bennett in 1997. The business then became part of Tyco Healthcare after Tyco International acquired Mallinckrodt in 2000. Covidien inherited Nellcor when it separated from Tyco in 2007. Medtronic's acquisition of Covidien in 2015 transferred the brand and its product assets to Medtronic. Nellcor is now maintained as a Medtronic brand, with Nellcor sensors and pulse oximeters continuing to be produced and marketed within Medtronic's medical-device portfolio. The brand was also involved in a lengthy patent dispute with Masimo. Masimo sued in 2000, alleging infringement of several pulse-oximetry patents. A jury found for Masimo, while Nellcor later brought a counterclaim that did not succeed. Appeals produced a mixed ruling and remand, after which Nellcor agreed to pay royalties on certain affected products. In 2011, the companies reached a royalty arrangement that ended the continuing dispute for the relevant products. Medtronic announced in October 2022 that it intended to pursue a separation of its Patient Monitoring and Respiratory Interventions businesses. In February 2024, it reversed that course and announced that the activities would instead be combined in an Acute Care & Monitoring business. The reorganization left Nellcor products within Medtronic rather than transferring them to a separate company.
- 2024
Acute Care & Monitoring structure is announced
[1]Medtronic reverses the proposed separation and places the relevant activities in a combined Acute Care & Monitoring organization.
- 2022
Medtronic announces a planned business separation
[1]Medtronic proposes separating Patient Monitoring and Respiratory Interventions, including the Nellcor business.
- 2015
Medtronic acquires Covidien
[1]The Nellcor brand and associated products become part of Medtronic.
- 2007
Covidien inherits the brand
[1]Nellcor becomes part of Covidien after its separation from Tyco International.
- 2000
N-400 fetal oxygen monitor is introduced
[1]Nellcor releases a system designed to measure fetal SpO2 and pulse rate in utero.
- 2000
Tyco acquires Mallinckrodt
[1]Nellcor becomes part of Tyco Healthcare.
- 1997
Mallinckrodt acquires Nellcor Puritan Bennett
[1]The company enters Mallinckrodt's medical-products portfolio.
- 1996
Infrasonics is acquired
[1]Nellcor Puritan Bennett expands its ventilator business through the acquisition of Infrasonics.
- 1995
Puritan Bennett and other respiratory businesses are added
[1]Nellcor acquires Puritan Bennett, Pierre Medical, and Melville Software, broadening its respiratory and sleep-diagnostics portfolio.
- 1991
EdenTec is acquired
[1]Nellcor adds a manufacturer of sleep-apnea monitoring equipment.
Products and positioning
Clinical and OEM patient-monitoring technology focused on non-invasive oxygen-saturation measurement, pulse-rate monitoring, and respiratory-care applications.
Bedside pulse oximeter · 1983
N-100
Nellcor's first major bedside pulse oximeter. It displayed SpO2 and pulse rate through red LED indicators and provided an audible pulse signal whose pitch varied with oxygen saturation. The unit used a physical control interface for alarm and operating adjustments.
Handheld pulse oximeter · 1985
N-10
An early portable Nellcor monitor with a compact plastic housing and LED displays. It could operate from a rechargeable battery pack or AA batteries and had an optional thermal-printer accessory. Its simple control layout was intended for straightforward oxygen-saturation and pulse-rate checks.
Bedside pulse oximeter · 1986
N-200
A successor to the N-100 that added C-Lock ECG synchronization to correlate ECG and pulse signals. It also included RS-232 and analog communication ports, allowing integration with central monitoring systems and printers.
Bedside pulse oximeter · 1987
N-180
A bedside-form-factor pulse oximeter released as part of Nellcor's expansion of its early monitoring range.
Handheld pulse oximeter · 1993
N-20
An updated handheld model that made the portable Nellcor format more compact and lighter than the earlier N-10.
Modular patient-monitoring system · 1995
N-3000 Symphony
A modular monitoring platform with optional stackable units. The N-3100 module supported non-invasive blood-pressure measurement, while the N-3200 provided waveform display and printing functions.
Fetal oxygen monitor · 2000
N-400
A fetal-monitoring device designed to measure oxygen saturation and pulse rate in fetuses before birth, extending Nellcor's oximetry technology into obstetric monitoring.
Sensors and embedded monitoring technology
Nellcor sensors and OEM modules
Nellcor's broader offering includes reusable and disposable SpO2 sensors, patient modules, and OEM oximetry components supplied for integration into third-party patient-monitoring systems. Medtronic continues to produce Nellcor-branded sensors and pulse-oximetry products.
Controversies
2000
Masimo patent-infringement litigation
Masimo sued Nellcor over alleged infringement of several pulse-oximetry patents. A jury initially found for Masimo. Nellcor's later counterclaim against Masimo did not result in a finding of infringement, and appellate proceedings produced a mixed ruling and remand. The dispute ultimately led to royalty payments on affected products and was resolved through a 2011 royalty arrangement.
Brand decisions
2024
Create Acute Care & Monitoring organizationStrategyBackground
Medtronic reversed its earlier plan to spin off or sell the Patient Monitoring and Respiratory Interventions businesses.
Action taken
The company announced that the activities would be combined into a new Acute Care & Monitoring business unit, within which Nellcor products would be manufactured and managed.
Aftermath
Nellcor remained part of Medtronic rather than becoming an independent or separately sold brand.
2022
Plan to separate Patient Monitoring and Respiratory InterventionsStrategyBackground
Medtronic reviewed the structure of its combined patient-monitoring and respiratory-intervention operations, which included Nellcor products.
Action taken
Medtronic announced an intention to pursue a separation of the two businesses.
Aftermath
The proposed separation was later abandoned in favor of an integrated operating structure.
2011
Settle the Masimo patent dispute through royaltiesOtherBackground
After years of litigation, appeals, and a finding that certain Nellcor products were subject to Masimo patent claims, the companies continued to face an unresolved commercial dispute.
Action taken
Nellcor and Masimo established a royalty arrangement covering impacted products, with the arrangement reported to run through October 6, 2018.
Aftermath
The agreement ended the continuing infringement litigation between the companies concerning the covered products.
1995
Acquire Puritan Bennett and broaden into respiratory careM&ABackground
Nellcor sought to expand beyond pulse oximetry into respiratory care, home ventilation, sleep apnea, and related diagnostic categories.
Action taken
The company acquired Puritan Bennett and also added Pierre Medical and Melville Software, adopting the expanded Nellcor Puritan Bennett name.
Aftermath
The acquisitions created a broader respiratory and monitoring company that was later acquired by Mallinckrodt.
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