Stryker to Acquire Image Guided Technologies
IGT's optical localizer is a series of infrared cameras that compute the position and orientation of a point or object in 3-dimensional space. IGT manufactures the localizer component of Stryker's recently released Surgical Navigation System. The Stryker Surgical Navigation System utilizes information from pre-operative CT or MR images to track the movement of surgical instruments and enable surgeons to find or avoid critical anatomical landmarks.
"Stryker and IGT have worked closely together to bring the Stryker Surgical Navigation System to market," commented John Brown, Stryker's chairman and president. "The acquisition of IGT will enhance our ability to bring innovative new products to the field of image guided surgery."
Stryker expects the acquisition to be completed during the quarter ending September 30, 2000. IGT will become part of Stryker's Leibinger Division.
IGT manufactures products for real-time, precise, free-hand, localization of points in 3D space including specially designed surgical instruments. In medical applications, its FlashPoint system determines the position of specially designed surgical instruments relative to a patient's anatomy and CT or MR images during image guided surgical procedures. In industrial applications, such as parts inspection and motion tracking, the company's Pixsys localizer measures the position or shape of objects in 3D space. IGT's Springfield Surgical Instruments subsidiary is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of general and minimally invasive surgical instruments.
Stryker manufactures specialty surgical and medical products, including orthopaedic reconstructive, trauma, spinal and craniomaxillofacial implants, powered surgical instruments, endoscopic systems, patient care, and handling equipment.