GE completes deal for IGS firm

Visualization Technology is now part of GE Medical Systems. The deal to acquire the developer of image-guided surgery (IGS) products, announced earlier this year (SCAN 2/20/02), is the second such acquisition by GE. The first, involving Surgical Insights of Evanston, IL, closed in February. Visualization Technology is a pioneer in electromagnetic-based IGS. Its innovative technology allows continuous navigation during surgical procedures regardless of the patient's position or the location of surgical instruments.

The new business, called GE Medical Systems Navigation and Visualization, will develop and market IGS products incorporating an open platform that works in conjunction with all manufacturers' intraoperative tools, instruments, devices, and implants. This new business combines the VTI and Surgical Insights product offerings, along with future IGS offerings as they are added to the GE Medical Systems product line. The first product offering from this new business will be the OEC FluoroTrak 9800 Plus, an integrated surgery imaging solution, which will be available this summer.