Welch Allyn's Connex Spot Monitor and Connex 360 lines don't come with a fixed pulse oximetry technology – you choose from Nonin, Nellcor/Covidien, or Masimo depending on the model. Each is a distinct, proprietary SpO2 technology with its own name, its own sensor ecosystem, and its own manufacturer-published research. Here's what actually differs between them, and the practical factors that should drive your choice.
The Three Technologies
Nonin – PureSAT® Technology
Nonin's proprietary signal processing, branded PureSAT®, uses pulse-by-pulse filtering combined with PureLight® sensor technology to separate true pulse signal from motion and low-perfusion artifact. Nonin has manufactured pulse oximetry since inventing fingertip oximetry over 30 years ago, and its sensors are widely used across hospital, clinic, and homecare settings. Within your Welch Allyn range, Nonin SpO2 is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7100 and 7300.
Nellcor / Covidien – OxiMax® Technology
Nellcor (now under Medtronic, and referenced as Covidien on many Welch Allyn configuration names) uses its OxiMax® signal processing platform. Nellcor sensors and monitors are long established in hospital settings and are frequently chosen by facilities that have already standardized their sensor supply chain and clinician training around the Nellcor/Covidien ecosystem. Within your Welch Allyn range, Covidien SpO2 is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7300, 7400, and 7500, and Nellcor SpO2 is available on Connex 360.
Masimo – SET® (Signal Extraction Technology)
Masimo's SET® technology is built specifically to address motion artifact and low-perfusion conditions, and is one of the more widely cited pulse oximetry platforms in independent clinical literature. Masimo also offers an RRp® (respiration rate from the pleth) option, which estimates respiration rate from the SpO2 waveform without an additional sensor. Within your Welch Allyn range, Masimo SpO2 is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7300, 7400, and 7500, and on Connex 360 (with or without RRp).
A Note on Comparative Accuracy Claims
You'll find studies from each manufacturer claiming better performance than the others, particularly around motion artifact, low perfusion, and neonatal resuscitation timing. These are typically manufacturer-funded or manufacturer-published comparisons, and the findings don't consistently point the same direction across studies – some favour Masimo, others favour Nellcor, depending on the study design and conditions tested. Rather than treating any single vendor's comparison as the final word, it's worth reviewing the peer-reviewed literature directly or consulting your facility's clinical procurement standards if oximetry accuracy in a specific patient population (e.g., neonatal, dark skin pigmentation, low perfusion) is a deciding factor for your purchase.
Why the Choice Matters Beyond the Technology Itself
For most buyers, the more practical drivers are:
- Existing equipment standardization – if your facility already uses Masimo, Nellcor, or Nonin sensors on other devices, matching your new monitor to that ecosystem keeps sensor purchasing, storage, and clinician training consistent
- Sensor availability and cost – each brand has its own compatible sensor and cable line, which affects ongoing consumable costs and what you need to keep in stock
- Respiration rate needs – if you need respiration rate without an additional sensor, Masimo's RRp® option is the only one of the three that offers this on your Welch Allyn range
- Model availability – not every SpO2 brand is offered on every monitor tier (for example, Nonin is only available on the 7100 and 7300, not the 7400, 7500, or Connex 360)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masimo more accurate than Nellcor or Nonin?
Each manufacturer publishes studies favouring its own technology, and results vary by study design and patient population. There isn't a single, universally agreed answer – facilities should review the specific evidence relevant to their patient population rather than rely on vendor marketing alone.
Which Welch Allyn monitors support Nonin SpO2?
Nonin is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7100 and 7300. It is not offered on the 7400, 7500, or Connex 360 in your current range.
What is RRp technology?
RRp® (respiration rate from the pleth) is a Masimo feature that estimates respiration rate from the pulse oximetry waveform, without requiring a separate respiration sensor. It's available as an option on Connex 360.
Can I switch SpO2 brands after purchasing a monitor?
The SpO2 technology is built into the specific monitor configuration you purchase, so it's worth confirming which brand you need before ordering rather than assuming it can be changed afterward.
Welch Allyn's Connex Spot Monitor and Connex 360 lines don't come with a fixed pulse oximetry technology – you choose from Nonin, Nellcor/Covidien, or Masimo depending on the model. Each is a distinct, proprietary SpO2 technology with its own name, its own sensor ecosystem, and its own manufacturer-published research. Here's what actually differs between them, and the practical factors that should drive your choice.
The Three Technologies
Nonin – PureSAT® Technology
Nonin's proprietary signal processing, branded PureSAT®, uses pulse-by-pulse filtering combined with PureLight® sensor technology to separate true pulse signal from motion and low-perfusion artifact. Nonin has manufactured pulse oximetry since inventing fingertip oximetry over 30 years ago, and its sensors are widely used across hospital, clinic, and homecare settings. Within your Welch Allyn range, Nonin SpO2 is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7100 and 7300.
Nellcor / Covidien – OxiMax® Technology
Nellcor (now under Medtronic, and referenced as Covidien on many Welch Allyn configuration names) uses its OxiMax® signal processing platform. Nellcor sensors and monitors are long established in hospital settings and are frequently chosen by facilities that have already standardized their sensor supply chain and clinician training around the Nellcor/Covidien ecosystem. Within your Welch Allyn range, Covidien SpO2 is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7300, 7400, and 7500, and Nellcor SpO2 is available on Connex 360.
Masimo – SET® (Signal Extraction Technology)
Masimo's SET® technology is built specifically to address motion artifact and low-perfusion conditions, and is one of the more widely cited pulse oximetry platforms in independent clinical literature. Masimo also offers an RRp® (respiration rate from the pleth) option, which estimates respiration rate from the SpO2 waveform without an additional sensor. Within your Welch Allyn range, Masimo SpO2 is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7300, 7400, and 7500, and on Connex 360 (with or without RRp).
A Note on Comparative Accuracy Claims
You'll find studies from each manufacturer claiming better performance than the others, particularly around motion artifact, low perfusion, and neonatal resuscitation timing. These are typically manufacturer-funded or manufacturer-published comparisons, and the findings don't consistently point the same direction across studies – some favour Masimo, others favour Nellcor, depending on the study design and conditions tested. Rather than treating any single vendor's comparison as the final word, it's worth reviewing the peer-reviewed literature directly or consulting your facility's clinical procurement standards if oximetry accuracy in a specific patient population (e.g., neonatal, dark skin pigmentation, low perfusion) is a deciding factor for your purchase.
Why the Choice Matters Beyond the Technology Itself
For most buyers, the more practical drivers are:
- Existing equipment standardization – if your facility already uses Masimo, Nellcor, or Nonin sensors on other devices, matching your new monitor to that ecosystem keeps sensor purchasing, storage, and clinician training consistent
- Sensor availability and cost – each brand has its own compatible sensor and cable line, which affects ongoing consumable costs and what you need to keep in stock
- Respiration rate needs – if you need respiration rate without an additional sensor, Masimo's RRp® option is the only one of the three that offers this on your Welch Allyn range
- Model availability – not every SpO2 brand is offered on every monitor tier (for example, Nonin is only available on the 7100 and 7300, not the 7400, 7500, or Connex 360)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masimo more accurate than Nellcor or Nonin?
Each manufacturer publishes studies favouring its own technology, and results vary by study design and patient population. There isn't a single, universally agreed answer – facilities should review the specific evidence relevant to their patient population rather than rely on vendor marketing alone.
Which Welch Allyn monitors support Nonin SpO2?
Nonin is available on the Connex Spot Monitor 7100 and 7300. It is not offered on the 7400, 7500, or Connex 360 in your current range.
What is RRp technology?
RRp® (respiration rate from the pleth) is a Masimo feature that estimates respiration rate from the pulse oximetry waveform, without requiring a separate respiration sensor. It's available as an option on Connex 360.
Can I switch SpO2 brands after purchasing a monitor?
The SpO2 technology is built into the specific monitor configuration you purchase, so it's worth confirming which brand you need before ordering rather than assuming it can be changed afterward.
