Stryker (NYSE:SYK) said yesterday that it agreed to acquire Swiss surgical smoke evacuation firm SafeAir for an undisclosed amount.
Root, Switzerland-based SafeAir’s “smoke pen” device is a disposable diathermy pencil with an integrated smoke evacuation function that connects with a smoke evacuator to pull the smoke from cauterization procedures directly from its source.
Surgical smoke conveys roughly the same mutagenic and carcinogenic risks as cigarette smoke, plus the risk that it could carry bacteria or virus cells and damage the respiratory tract and the lungs.
“The acquisition of SafeAir AG is highly complementary to the surgical business of Stryker’s instruments division and strengthens our smoke evacuation portfolio in both the U.S. and Europe,” medsurg & neurotechnology president Timothy Scannell said in prepared remarks. “This acquisition aligns with Stryker’s focus of providing solutions that result in a higher quality of care and level of safety for both healthcare professionals and patients.”
Kalamazoo, Mich.-based Stryker said it expects the deal to close during the fourth quarter.
