EDISON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 2003--GE Thermometrics and GE NovaSensor, leading providers of high quality miniature thermistors, silicon microstructures and sensors, and units of GE.
Industrial Systems and the General Electric Company (NYSE: GE), have announced two multi-year agreements with Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), a global leader in products and technologies to treat advanced cardiovascular disease, based in Irvine, California.
The agreements, combined worth more than $50 million over the next five years, will provide tiny thermistors and pressure sensors for use in the Swan-Ganz(R) thermodilution catheter and disposable blood pressure transducers produced by Edwards Lifesciences.
Used extensively in cardiac diagnostic and corrective procedures, the disposable Swan-Ganz(R) thermodilution catheter is inserted into a vein in the groin or neck of a patient and fed through the heart via the pulmonary artery. A tiny glass sealed GE thermistor is located near the tip, where the time-temperature profile is measured by the thermistor. The resulting analysis yields the cardiac output or blood volume per minute.
GE will also provide its NPC-107 pressure sensor, specifically designed for use in disposable medical applications. The GE NovaSensor device is calibrated per the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines for industry acceptability.
The sensor integrates a high-performance pressure sensor die with temperature compensation circuitry and gel protection in a small, low-cost package for use in disposable blood pressure transducers.
Edwards Lifesciences is one of GE Thermometrics and GE NovaSensor's most valued customers, said Kermit B. Hoffman, president of GE Thermometrics.
For many years, we have been a major global supplier of microelectronics and sensor technologies for medical, automotive, industrial, process automation and consumer applications.
We are pleased to continue our relationship with Edwards Lifesciences and will continue to deliver the highest quality thermistor and pressure sensor products available today.
GE Thermometrics and GE NovaSensor operate as part of the GE Measurement & Sensing Technologies business within GE Industrial Systems.
About GE Industrial Systems
GE Industrial Systems spans the globe as an industry leader in integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. The business brings to customers the latest technological products used to distribute, protect and control electrical power and equipment, and provides innovative product and service solutions for commercial, industrial, residential and utility applications.
For more information visit the website at http://www.geindustrial.com/presscenter/pressroom.htm.
About GE Measurement & Sensing Technologies
GE Measurement & Sensing Technologies is an industry leader in the design and manufacture of precision temperature, humidity and pressure sensors, field calibrators and measurement instrumentation.
With operations around the world, GE Measurement & Sensing Technologies develops technologies and solutions using thermal validation, dew point measurement, gas flow measurement, control circuit protection, liquid level detection, and microstructure design for products and services in applications such as environmental, marine, meteorology, aerospace, defense, medical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, automotive, industrial, commercial, petrochemical, power generation and transportation.
About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is a leader in advanced cardiovascular disease treatments and the number-one heart valve company in the world.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards focuses on four main cardiovascular disease states: heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and congestive heart failure. The company's global brands, which are sold in over 80 countries, include Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Swan-Ganz and Fogarty.
Additional company information can be found at www.edwards.com.
Edwards Lifesciences is a trademark of Edwards Lifesciences
Corporation. Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Swan-Ganz and
Fogarty are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation, registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
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CONTACT: GE Industrial Systems
Terry Dunn, 860/747-7397
[email protected]
or
GE Measurement & Sensing Technologies
Gary Pacilio, 678/627-0930