Cardiac Science (Irvine, California), a maker of automatic public-access automated external defibrillators (AEDs), reported last month that it plans to merge with cardiology product maker Quinton Cardiology Systems (Bothell, Washington) in order to better leverage distribution and marketing operations. Under the agreement, each share of Cardiac Science will be exchanged for 0.10 of a share in the combined company; each Quinton share will be worth 0.77 of a share. Cardiac Science's shareholders, together with senior note holders, will own about 51% of the combined company, and Quinton's shareholders will own roughly 49%. Cardiac Science's senior note holders agreed to exchange the entire balance of principal and accrued interest, or about $61 million, as well as warrants, for $20 million in cash and $53.75 million, or about 13%, of the new holding company's common stock. The companies said that the deal was unanimously approved by the boards of both firms, and they estimated its closing in 3Q05, subject to regulatory review.

dj Orthopedics (San Diego), which specializes in rehabilitation and regeneration products for the non-operative orthopedic and spine markets, reported purchasing substantially all of the assets of Superior Medical Equipment (SME) for roughly $3.7 million, plus additional payments based on achievement of certain operating targets. SME is a provider of orthopedic soft goods, plus custom and off-the-shelf rigid bracing products, through a stock-and-bill business similar to dj Orthopedics' OfficeCare segment. SME began operations in 1996 and it has about 46 customer locations in Connecticut, where dj Orthopedics has not previously had an OfficeCare presence, it said.

Eastman Kodak (Rochester, New York) reported completing its acquisition of Orex Computed Radiography (Yokneam, Israel), a provider of compact, computed radiography systems that enable medical practitioners to acquire X-ray images digitally. The deal was first disclosed in January. Kodak paid $51.3 million in cash at closing to acquire privately held Orex, with the price subject to adjustment, based upon the final closing balance sheet which will be audited after the closing. Orex has become a wholly owned subsidiary of Kodak and operates within Kodak's Health Group. Orex manufactures computed radiography systems for specialty markets, such as orthopedics, imaging centers and dentistry.

Fisher Scientific International (Hampton, New Hampshire) reported signing a definitive agreement to sell Atos Medical (Horby, Sweden), a manufacturer of ear, nose and throat medical devices with 2004 sales totaling $35 million, to Nordic Capital for $110 million in cash. Acquired by Fisher in its 2003 transaction with Perbio Science (Stockholm, Sweden), Atos provides devices designed to rehabilitate the voice and pulmonary functions after laryngectomy for the treatment of cancer. Atos also provides other devices for the treatment of ear and sinus diseases.

Matria Healthcare (Marietta, Georgia) said it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the business of Miavita (New York), a national provider of on-line health and wellness solutions. The acquisition of Miavita is expected to be completed on April 1. Matria expects to pay about $5 million in cash at the closing with potential additional amounts to be paid under earn-out arrangements. Matria Healthcare is a provider of comprehensive disease management programs to health plans and employers.

MIV Therapeutics (MIVT; Vancouver, British Columbia), a developer of next-generation biocompatible coatings and drug delivery technologies, reported that it has executed a letter of intent to acquire Sahajanand Medical Technologies (SMT; Surat, India), one of the world's largest manufacturers of advanced coronary stents. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. Established in 1997, SMT is the largest privately held producer of coronary drug-eluting stents outside of North Amer- ica, with its stents being sold in more than 33 countries and reporting more than 25,000 implants. The companies said they planneed to enter a definitive agreement within 30 days.

Orthopedics powerhouse Stryker (Kalamazoo, Michigan) has acquired eTrauma.com (Deerfield Beach, Florida), a privately held developer of software for picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) with a focus on orthopedics imaging. The $50 million cash deal is seen as expanding Stryker's portfolio of orthopedic technologies. eTrauma.com will be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary in combination with Stryker Endoscopy's imaging business. Its PACS image management and viewing software, OfficePACS, has functionality directed toward the workflow of orthopedic practices. The 50-employee company had annual sales of $18 million in 2004. eTrauma.com has designed technology that enables medical information contained in charts and X-rays to be sent electronically, via the Internet, eliminating the need for film and paper documentation. eTrauma.com will continue to operate out of its Deerfield Beach offices and will retain its work force, said company president and CEO John Hodgeman, who will serve as general manager of the Stryker Imaging unit.

Viasys Healthcare (Conshohocken, Pennsylvania) reported acquiring Oxford Instruments Medical (Surrey, UK), the global medical division of Oxford Instruments (Woking, UK), for about $46 million ( 24 million).