Masimo LNCS, RD-Set & Rainbow Compatible Sensors Hub

Brand Hub · Sensor selection by connector generation
Author: Lin Wei, Senior Product Engineer  ·  Reviewed by: Dr. Chen Qiang, Clinical Application Manager  ·  Last updated: 22 May 2026

Critical disclosure — read first

MedLinket is not a Masimo licensee. MedLinket does not manufacture, license or replicate any portion of Masimo's SET (Signal Extraction Technology) algorithm, Rainbow multi-parameter signal processing, or any other Masimo proprietary algorithm.

What MedLinket manufactures: cables and sensors that are mechanically and electrically compatible with Masimo connector standards (LNCS, RD-Set, and their variants), and that transmit raw optical photoplethysmogram (red and infrared) signals to a host monitor or Masimo OEM module.

The signal processing — SET signal extraction, low-perfusion detection, motion-artifact rejection and Rainbow multi-wavelength interpretation — runs entirely on the licensed Masimo SET board inside the host monitor.

In plain terms: if your monitor has a Masimo SET board (licensed by Masimo to your monitor OEM), a MedLinket cable plugs into that licensed board and delivers the optical waveform — the SET algorithm in the board does the rest. MedLinket does not, and cannot, reproduce SET-level performance independently.

Quick answer. Masimo's connector family has evolved across several generations, and Masimo SET is licensed into virtually every major patient-monitor OEM. To select the right compatible sensor, answer three questions: which Masimo connector your monitor or standalone unit uses (LNCS, M-LNCS, or RD-Set); the patient type; and whether you need single-parameter SpO2 or multi-parameter Rainbow.

This hub covers SpO2-only LNCS-compatible and RD-Set-compatible sensors — it does not cover Rainbow multi-parameter sensors (SpHb, SpCO, SpMet), which require Masimo's licensed Rainbow board and a Rainbow-specific sensor that MedLinket does not manufacture. Jump to the compatible sensor list.

A three-step diagram showing that a compatible SpO2 sensor delivers the optical waveform, while the licensed host module performs Masimo SET signal processing. Signal path for compatible SpOâ‚‚ sensors Sensor delivers waveform data; SET processing remains in the licensed host module. 1 Compatible SpOâ‚‚ sensor LNCS / M-LNCS / RD-Set sensor for optical signal delivery. No Masimo SET algorithm inside the sensor. 2 Raw optical PPG waveform Red / infrared PPG sent through the patient cable. 3 Licensed SET host module Signal extraction and artifact handling run inside the monitor. Performance depends on the licensed board and sensor fit. SpOâ‚‚ 98% Procurement note: order by connector family and verified host configuration.

Masimo connector generations explained

Connector Pins Years common Notes
LNOP 8-pin 1998–2008 First-generation Masimo connector; mostly obsolete
LNCS 9-pin 2006–present Most common — most fleet decisions involve LNCS
M-LNCS 9-pin variant 2015–present Backward compatible with most LNCS sensors
RD-Set 20-pin 2017–present Required for Rainbow multi-parameter; not interchangeable with LNCS
Rainbow Varied 2008–present Multi-parameter SpO2 + SpHb + SpCO + SpMet
Most important practical distinction: LNCS sensors fit LNCS ports; RD-Set sensors fit RD-Set ports. They are not cross-compatible. A Masimo Radical-7 with an RD-Set port will not accept an LNCS sensor without a specific Masimo adapter cable.

How to identify your Masimo connector

  1. Look at the SpO2 port: LNCS 9-pin is a round 9-pin connector with a distinctive purple keyway; RD-Set 20-pin is a larger rectangular connector; M-LNCS looks visually identical to LNCS 9-pin and is physically interchangeable with LNCS most of the time.
  2. Check the existing sensor cable — Masimo OEM cable labels indicate "LNCS," "RD" or "M-LNCS."
  3. Check the product documentation — for OEM monitors with Masimo SET, the SpO2 configuration line on the original quote specifies "Masimo SET with LNCS" or "Masimo SET with RD-Set."
A B2B medical accessory selection diagram showing how to choose the sensor family by host connector type before selecting patient category and sensor style. Connector-first sensor selection Confirm the host connector before choosing patient size or sensor style. 1 Verify host SpOâ‚‚ technology Check the port, cable label, service manual or original quote. LNCS / M-LNCS host 9-pin round connector for SET-enabled hosts. Select LNCS sensor family RD-Set host 20-pin rectangular connector on selected platforms. Select RD-Set sensor family Other Nellcor or OEM-native SpOâ‚‚ Use the sensor family specified for that technology. Do not order LNCS / RD-Set

Compatible sensors by connector — direct links

The range below is the directly-stocked LNCS / M-LNCS family — the dominant Masimo connector in clinical use. All deliver the raw optical photoplethysmogram to your host's licensed Masimo SET board. Confirm your connector generation first (see above); for an RD-Set 20-pin port, see the note at the foot of this section. Browse everything in the Masimo compatible sensors collection.

LNCS reusable & short-cable sensors

All short sensors
OEM cross-reference Patient / type
Masimo LNCS (1864) Adult finger, reusable / short
LNOP DCI (1269) Adult finger, short cable

LNCS / M-LNCS disposable sensors by patient

All disposable SpO2
OEM cross-reference Patient Style
Masimo 1859 Adult Non-woven adhesive
Masimo 4000 Adult Adhesive
Masimo 1860 Pediatric Non-woven adhesive
Masimo 4001 Pediatric Adhesive
Masimo 2328 Infant Adhesive
Masimo 4002 Infant Adhesive
Masimo 2514 Neonate / adult Adhesive
Masimo 4003 Neonate / adult Adhesive
Masimo 4003 Neonate / adult Non-adhesive wrap
LNCS Neo Neonate / adult Non-adhesive wrap
M-LNCS Neo (2516) Neonate / adult Non-adhesive wrap

Masimo SpO2 adapter / patient cables

All SpO2 cables
OEM cross-reference Configuration
M-LNC-10 (2525) Masimo patient cable, 14-pin, 8 ft
0012-00-1653 Masimo SpO2 adapter cable
RD-Set 20-pin ports. For Masimo Radical-7 / Root and other RD-Set 20-pin hosts, confirm the connector on the unit faceplate and request a configuration review — RD-Set sensors are specified per unit, and an LNCS sensor will not fit an RD-Set port without a Masimo adapter cable. MedLinket RD-Set / LNCS-compatible sensors transmit single-parameter SpO2 only and do not include the Rainbow wavelength set required for SpHb / SpCO / SpMet.

Which monitor platforms use Masimo SET?

Masimo SET is licensed into virtually every major patient-monitor OEM. When a monitor is ordered with the Masimo SET configuration, it has a Masimo SET board and can accept MedLinket LNCS-compatible sensors:

Monitor OEM / platform Masimo SET connector Platform hub
Philips IntelliVue MX series LNCS 9-pin (when specified with Masimo SET) Philips MX hub
Philips IntelliVue MP series LNCS 9-pin (when specified) Philips MP hub
GE CARESCAPE B series LNCS 9-pin (when specified) GE CARESCAPE B hub
GE Dash series LNCS 9-pin (when specified) GE Dash hub
Mindray BeneVision N series LNCS 9-pin (when specified) Mindray BeneVision N hub
Dräger Vista 120 / 120s LNCS 9-pin (less common; OxiMax more common) Dräger Infinity hub
Nihon Kohden Life Scope, BSM-6000, SVM LNCS 9-pin (less common; NK native more common) Nihon Kohden hub
Masimo Radical-7, Radical-95, Rad-87 LNCS 9-pin or RD-Set 20-pin this page
Masimo Root RD-Set 20-pin this page

To use a MedLinket LNCS-compatible sensor on any of these hosts, the host must have been ordered with Masimo SET — not Nellcor, not the OEM-native technology. See the relevant platform hub for SpO2 technology identification specific to that monitor.

Sensor selection decision matrix

Patient type / scenario Recommended sensor Why
Adult, fixed bedside (ICU, OR) LNCS adult finger clip reusable 200-cycle reusable economy; finger is the standard site
Adult, mobile or transport LNCS adult disposable adhesive Lower cleaning burden; single patient
Adult, finger inaccessible LNCS multi-site Y sensor reusable Allows ear or toe positioning
Pediatric (10–40 kg) LNCS pediatric finger clip reusable Pediatric-sized spring tension
Infant (3–10 kg) LNCS infant soft tip reusable or adhesive wrap Reusable for fixed ward; wrap for repositioning
Neonate (under 3 kg) LNCS neonate silicone wrap reusable or Ultra-Soft disposable Rotate site and replace sensor on each 2-hourly rotation
Low perfusion (cardiac arrest, vasopressor) LNCS adult silicone soft tip reusable Soft tip improves signal contact at low PI

On low-perfusion and motion-artifact performance: Masimo SET's signal extraction in the host module is what produces low-perfusion SpO2 capability and motion-artifact rejection. A MedLinket compatible sensor provides the optical signal; the SET board provides the algorithm. Sensor fit and placement still matter — a sensor that does not sit firmly on the patient will not give SET the clean signal it needs, and a loose or damaged sensor degrades any algorithm's performance.

Reading path by clinical scenario

Adult ICU (any host with Masimo SET)

LNCS adult finger-clip reusable plus an LNCS extension cable for the monitor-to-bedside distance; replace at 200 cleaning cycles or at signs of wear.

Cardiac surgery OR (Philips MX, GE B850, Mindray N22, etc. with Masimo SET)

LNCS multi-site Y sensor reusable for cases with an inaccessible finger, or LNCS adult soft-tip reusable for low-perfusion robustness, plus an LNCS extension cable. For tested compatibility evidence see the Masimo LNCS on GE CARESCAPE test.

PACU and step-down

LNCS adult disposable adhesive (high turnover lowers the value of cleaning labour), with one reusable per bay as a backup for sensitive patients.

NICU

LNCS neonate silicone wrap reusable for long-stay patients, or the LNCS Neo disposable for 2-hourly single-patient rotation. The clinical rotation protocol is the same on any platform — see the LNCS Neo neonate SpO2 sensor page.

Standalone Masimo Radical-7 / Rad-87 / Root

Verify the connector first — a Radical-7 may be LNCS or RD-Set depending on the year of purchase, and the Root is typically RD-Set. Choose the LNCS or RD-Set sensor range accordingly.

Common procurement pitfalls

  1. Ordering "Masimo-compatible" without specifying the connector. Identify LNCS vs M-LNCS vs RD-Set before ordering.
  2. Buying LNCS for an OEM monitor that has Nellcor or OEM-native SpO2, not Masimo SET. The LNCS connector will not physically fit a Nellcor or OEM-native port. Confirm the host monitor's SpO2 technology on the corresponding platform hub.
  3. Expecting Rainbow multi-parameter measurement from an LNCS-compatible sensor. SpHb, SpCO and SpMet require both a Rainbow-licensed host and a Rainbow-equipped sensor. For Rainbow multi-parameter, purchase the OEM Rainbow sensor from Masimo.
  4. Mixing M-LNCS and LNCS sensors expecting full interchange. Backward compatibility holds most of the time but can fail on edge cases — when in doubt, photograph the connector.
  5. Buying RD-Set sensors for an LNCS host, or vice versa. The two are not mechanically interchangeable without a Masimo adapter cable.
  6. Assuming SET performance from the sensor alone. SET is in the host module, not the sensor — a compatible sensor cannot recover SET-level performance on a monitor without a Masimo SET board.
  7. Cable damage at the LNCS connector. Train users to disconnect by gripping the connector, not pulling the cable — external cable damage at the strain relief is the largest field-return category.

How to get a configuration review

If you operate a fleet with mixed Masimo connector generations, mixed OEM-platform hosts running Masimo SET, or want to standardise sensor inventory across a multi-vendor environment, MedLinket's configuration team will review your inventory.

Provide your monitor models with Masimo SET, the Masimo connector generation per model, your standalone Masimo units, your patient-type breakdown and your current sensor inventory. There is no obligation to purchase.

Frequently asked questions

Does a MedLinket sensor include the Masimo SET algorithm?

No. SET runs entirely on the licensed Masimo SET board inside the host monitor. MedLinket manufactures connector-and-cable-compatible sensors that deliver the raw optical photoplethysmogram signal to that board — the algorithm, its low-perfusion performance and its motion-artifact rejection are Masimo's, in the host. MedLinket is not a Masimo licensee.

Can I get SpHb or SpCO readings with a compatible sensor?

No. Rainbow multi-parameter measurement (SpHb, SpCO, SpMet) requires both a Rainbow-licensed host board and a Rainbow-equipped sensor with the specific wavelength filter set. MedLinket does not manufacture Rainbow sensors — for Rainbow multi-parameter capability, purchase the OEM Rainbow sensor from Masimo.

Will an LNCS sensor work on a Masimo Radical-7?

It depends on the connector. A Radical-7 may use the LNCS or the RD-Set connector depending on the year of purchase. An LNCS sensor fits an LNCS port; an RD-Set port needs an RD-Set sensor or a Masimo adapter cable. Verify the connector first.

Our procurement policy requires OEM-only sensors — are these suitable?

If your policy requires OEM-only Masimo sensors, these compatible products are not the right choice. If your policy permits compatible accessories meeting equivalent manufacturing and validation standards (ISO 13485, FDA 510(k), CE, MDSAP), MedLinket's LNCS- and RD-Set-compatible sensors offer a documented, audited alternative.

Re-statement: MedLinket is not a Masimo licensee. MedLinket is not affiliated with, endorsed by or licensed by Masimo Corporation. MedLinket manufactures connector-and-cable-compatible sensors that deliver raw optical photoplethysmogram signals to a host monitor's Masimo SET board. The SET algorithm, its low-perfusion performance, its motion-artifact rejection and any Rainbow multi-parameter capability live in the licensed host board — not in the cable. MedLinket does not replicate, reproduce or modify Masimo's signal processing. "Masimo," "SET," "Signal Extraction Technology," "LNCS," "M-LNCS," "LNOP," "RD-Set," "Rainbow," "rainbow SET," "SpHb," "SpCO," "SpMet," "PVi" are trademarks of Masimo Corporation. The use of "LNCS-compatible," "Rainbow-compatible" and OEM part numbers is strictly for connector and mechanical-fit identification, consistent with Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protections. All MedLinket compatible sensors are manufactured under ISO 13485:2016 (TÜV), ISO 9001, FDA 510(k) clearance, CE marking, MDSAP and MHRA registration, with SpO2 accuracy validated to the ISO 9919:2005 protocol and 100% per-unit electrical continuity QC.

About MedLinket. Founded 2004 in Shenzhen. NEEQ-listed (stock code 833505). Over 20 years specialising in patient-monitoring accessories, with compatibility coverage for the Masimo LNCS and RD-Set connector families across all major monitor OEM platforms. MedLinket is not a Masimo licensee — it makes compatible sensors and cables, while the Masimo SET algorithm and Rainbow signal processing remain Masimo's intellectual property in the licensed host module. FDA 510(k), CE, MHRA, MDSAP, ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001 certified. Manufacturing across three production bases under Class 100,000 cleanroom standards. Serving 2,000+ hospitals across 117 countries and regions. Product liability insurance is carried across the product line, with cover up to USD 5 million; distributors may request a certificate of insurance within the policy period.