GE Healthcare (NYSE:GE) announced an extended relationship with Australia’s Nanosonics, putting $7.5 million into the company’s ultrasound disinfection technology.
The pair of companies have been working together since 2006 to develop technologies to improve ultrasound sterilization systems, according to a press release.
"Hospital acquired infections have increased by 36% in the last 20 years and are consuming more healthcare dollars each year," Nanosonics managing director Ron Weinberger said in prepared remarks. "In the ultrasound market, sonographers see over 10 patients a day, resulting in an increased need to disinfect the ultrasound transducer thoroughly between patients."
Nanosonics’ Trophon EPR ultrasound transducer disinfecting system won FDA approval in 2011 and is on the market in the U.S. , Canada and Europe, according to the release.
The system promises to reduce disinfection time, allowing more patients to receive scans, and can be used in the same room as the ultrasound machine. The Trophon device also breaks down residual disinfectants into water and oxygen, which is safer for patients, sonographers and the environment.
"Nanosonics has built an attractive business with an extraordinary product," GE Healthcare Australia and New Zealand president Michael Ackland said in prepared remarks. "We believe the continued collaboration with Nanosonics will help serve our healthcare customers better, complementing GE’s suite of ultrasound technologies, software and services. By expanding our sales footprint in Japan as well as in the existing locations such as the US, Canada and Europe, GE will help customers improve their overall quality in ultrasound processes."
In a separate release, GE also noted an extended sales relationship with Vasomedical Inc., developer of diagnostic imaging products. The contract, originally signed in May 2010 for a 3-year term, was extended to 5 years, during which time Vasomedical is the exclusive U.S. sales representatives for certain GE Healthcare diagnostics imaging products.
