Patient Monitors

Philips Electronics, a leading manufacturer of portable defibrillators, is reorganizing its business to focus on medical equipment products and consumer electronics.  This follows the company’s decision to last year to sell its semi-conductor business.

As part of its commitment to its renewed focus on medical equipment, Philips has bid to take over U.S. medical services company Visicu Inc., and expects to receive approval from both shareholders and regulators. Philips hopes to close the deal in the first quarter of 2008.

With the integration of Visicu, Philips plans to expand the company’s offerings of patient monitors.

As announced in November of 2007, Philips is also in the process of completing the acquisition of US-based medical software manufactuer Emergin, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is a world leader in the manufacturing of portable defibrillators. One of their most popular products, the Philips HeartStart OnSite AED Defibrillator, is the first AED defibrillator available to commercial users without a prescription.

Welch Allyn, a leading manufacturer of frontline medical products and solutions, has donated medical equipment valued at approximately £30,000 (over $60,000) to a new simulation center which was opened at the University of Hertfordshire. This center is considered to be one of Europe’s largest and most advanced clinical simulation facilities.

The Welch Allyn donation included an EKG Monitor, a Spot Vital Signs Monitor, Harvey Elite stethoscopes, and an Integrated Diagnostic System which includes essential diagnostic instruments such as an otoscope, ophthalmoscope and thermometer.

New Kinsington, PA - On Thursday, November 15, 2007, Respironics broke ground on the development of a new $32 million plant where it will build its sleep therapy devices. The new medical equipment plant is being built in Pennsylvania at the Westmoreland Business and Research Park, located about seven miles from the company’s headquarters.  This development will include the construction of a 165,000 square foot plant facility.

Respironics is a major manufacturer in the respiratory medical device industry.  Respironics purchased Novametrix in 2002 and continues to manufacture the Novametrix product line, including the popular Respironics Novametrix Tidal Wave model 710Sp portable handheld pulse oximeter and CO2 monitor with SpO2.