Medtech titan, Medtronic, plc has announced it has acquired Scottish device company Aircraft Medical for $110m. Aircraft develops affordable, handheld high-quality video laryngoscopes used by anesthesiologists and critical care professionals to intubate patients.
Background
So-called preventable respiratory compromise is the second-most frequently occurring preventable safety adverse event and is rapidly becoming the third-most costly hospital inpatient expense in the U.S.
Aircraft Medical’s devices enable clinicians to see a patient’s vocal cords, allowing them to more quickly and effectively insert the breathing tube into the trachea. Video laryngoscopy is associated with an increased number of successful intubations, improved laryngeal views and more successful first-attempt intubations than direct laryngoscopy among patients with difficult airways. For an intubated patient, this helps maximize the chance for first-attempt success and reduces the use of multiple devices.
In a news release Medtrionic says this acquisition expands its portfolio of solutions for dealing with difficult airways and addresses the preventable issue of respiratory compromise, which consists of respiratory insufficiency, failure and arrest, dramatically increases the likelihood of adverse outcomes and cost of patient care.
Company comments
for Medtronic
“Aircraft Medical’s offerings complement our portfolio, helping us further our commitment to reducing incidents and potential complications from respiratory compromise globally. The company’s laryngoscopes will play an important role in our airways portfolio as we develop and provide meaningful innovations that improve patient outcomes,” said Steve Blazejewski, senior vice president and president of the Patient Monitoring & Recovery business, Minimally Invasive Therapies Group at Medtronic.
for Aircraft
“We are pleased to be joining the Medtronic team as we strive to provide the McGrath® video laryngoscope platform to many more patients around the world,” said Matt McGrath, founder and CEO of Aircraft Medical.
Source: Medtronic, plc
published: November 20, 2015 in: Anaesthesia, Medtronic, Mergers and Acquisitions