This International Standard applies to the BASIC SAFETY and ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE of PULSE OXIMETER EQUIPMENT intended for use on humans, hereafter referred to as ME EQUIPMENT. This includes any part necessary for NORMAL USE, including the PULSE OXIMETER MONITOR, PULSE OXIMETER PROBE, and PROBE CABLE EXTENDER.

These requirements also apply to PULSE OXIMETER EQUIPMENT, including PULSE OXIMETER MONITORS, PULSE OXIMETER PROBES and PROBE CABLE EXTENDERS, which have been REPROCESSED. The intended use of PULSE OXIMETER EQUIPMENT includes, but is not limited to, the estimation of arterial oxygen haemoglobin saturation and pulse rate of PATIENTS in professional healthcare institutions as well as PATIENTS in the HOME HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENT.

This International Standard is not applicable to PULSE OXIMETER EQUIPMENT intended for use in laboratory research applications nor to oximeters that require a blood sample from the PATIENT. If a clause or subclause is specifically intended to be applicable to ME EQUIPMENT only, or to ME SYSTEMS only, the title and content of that clause or subclause will say so.

The object of this particular standard is to establish particular BASIC SAFETY and ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE requirements for PULSE OXIMETER EQUIPMENT [as defined in 201.3.216] and its ACCESSORIES. NOTE ACCESSORIES are included because the combination of the PULSE OXIMETER MONITOR and the ACCESSORIES needs to be safe. ACCESSORIES can have a significant impact on the BASIC SAFETY and ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE of PULSE OXIMETER EQUIPMENT.