Masimo Cleared in Pronto, Pronto-7 Devices Probe

Federal prosecutors have cleared Irvine, Calif.-based Masimo of False Claims Act charges involving its Pronto and Pronto-7 patient monitoring devices, ending a year-old investigation.

Former Masimo sales reps filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the products in 2010. However, in 2013, a federal judge dismissed the case, saying the employees hadn’t presented any evidence indicating fraud or fraudulent intent.

The following February, the judge overturned a $5 million arbitration award that was granted to two of the sales reps, citing bias because the arbitrator’s brother represented rival Covidien.

Pronto and Pronto-7 measure a patient’s total hemoglobin, blood oxygen saturation, pulse rate and perfusion index. — Jason Scott