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AVOX manufactures two devices that utilize patented light-scattering technology to make direct measurements in whole blood. The AVOXimeter® 1000E is specifically designed for the cardiac catheterization lab, and is the leading stand-alone POC oximeter in U.S. hospitals today. The portable AVOXimeter 4000 provides a fast, accurate assessment of a patient's oxygenation at the bedside. The AVOXimeter 4000 is used in routine testing in combination with a blood gas analyzer to provide a more comprehensive and complete assessment of a patient's oxygenation status in the intensive care unit (ICU), operating room (OR) and other critical care situations. It is also used in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) to confirm nitric oxide treatment side effects in newborns and in the emergency department to diagnose smoke inhalation. "Acquiring the Avox product line strengthens the position ITC has built in the hospital POC sector through our HEMOCHRON® Signature offering. In addition, we will be able to utilize idms, our proprietary data management software, to offer our IRMA TRUpoint® lood gas analyzer, HEMOCHRON® Signature and the AVOXimeter 4000 as a unique and cost effective modular system that provides a comprehensive and complete solution for our customers," noted Larry Cohen, president of ITC. Cohen added that this transaction will leverage ITC's sales efforts among current customer call points, including the catheterization lab, OR, ICU and NICU. Under the agreement, AVOX's three founders will remain as consultants or employees during the transition period. ITC plans to continue manufacturing the Avox devices at the existing facility in San Antonio, with a consolidation of those activities into ITC's Edison, New Jersey manufacturing facility occurring during 2007. "We are delighted to have ITC acquire AVOX," said Dr. Pete Shepherd, founder and president of AVOX. "We know that ITC's POC focus, combined with their product development and distribution strengths, will allow Avox products and technology to build on their established market leadership positions. I look forward to working with the ITC team to ensure a smooth transition," he added. International Technidyne Corporation (ITC) is a world leader in the fields of hemostasis management and point-of-care testing with over 35 years of knowledge and experience. ITC develops, manufactures and markets products in five distinct categories: HEMOCHRON point-of-care coagulation instruments and reagents; IRMA TRUpoint Blood Analysis System for blood gas and electrolyte testing; skin incision products including tenderfoot® Tenderlett® and Surgicutt® Hgb Pro Professional Hemoglobin Testing System® and the ProTime® Microcoagulation System for prothrombin time testing at home and for professional use. ITC is a subsidiary of Thoratec Corporation, a world leader in therapies to address advanced stage heart failure. The company's product line includes the Thoratec® VAD (Ventricular Assist Device) and HeartMate® LVAS (Left Ventricular Assist System) with more than 10,000 devices implanted in patients suffering from heart failure. Thoratec is headquartered in Pleasanton, California.