Masimo Lawsuit Alleges Medical Patent Infringement

Irvine-based Masimo Corp. filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Mallinckrodt Inc. over technology that measures pulse rates and oxygen levels in the blood.

Mallinckrodt obtained permission from the Food and Drug Administration in September to market the signal extraction technology.

Masimo, which develops patient monitoring systems, said investors, who include doctors and institutions, have invested more than $60 million “to help us fulfill our promise of continuous and accurate monitoring, even during motion and at times when the patient’s condition is most critical. If large companies, like Mallinckrodt, are allowed to simply use another company’s technology without a license, innovation through small companies would stagnate.”

A spokeswoman for Mallinckrodt said the company had no immediate comment. Mallinckrodt is a drug and chemical company that also provides medical equipment.