Universal Medical buys vascular firms

Universal Medical Systems of Clearwater, FL, has acquired threefirms that manufacture Pulse Volume Recorder, a device used todiagnose lower extremity arterial disease. UMSI purchased LifeSciences and two related companies, Biometrix New Hampshire andBiometrix Connecticut, for cash and about $650,000 in preferredstock.

Biometrix is developing Telepulse, a next-generation vasculardiagnostic system that includes a telemedicine capability by allowingattending physicians to transmit data for interpretation by aradiologist or vascular surgeon. The product has been clearedby the Food and Drug Administration and should be introduced inthe second half of 1996.