MAQUET Cardiovascular Announces Acquisition of the Avalon Elite® Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter and Complimentary Vascular Access Kits from Avalon Laboratories

RASTATT, GERMANY and RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, Calif., May 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- MAQUET Cardiopulmonary, a business unit of MAQUET Cardiovascular and a leader in extracorporeal life support (ECLS) systems, today announced that they have signed an agreement with Avalon Laboratories to acquire its Avalon Elite^® Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter and complimentary vascular access kits for use during ECLS.

"It was our Cardiopulmonary business unit which started a paradigm shift in moving extracorporeal life support into routine medical practice, most notably through the introduction of new products such as CARDIOHELP," said Christian Keller, President and Chief Executive Officer of MAQUET Cardiovascular.  "Through the acquisition of the most advanced double lumen cannula we finally provide our customers a complete range of best in class products from tip to tip."

"The acquisition of the Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter complements our existing cardiopulmonary product line and strengthens our position as a leading global provider of ECLS technologies," said Dr. Wolfgang Rencken, President and Chief Executive Officer of MAQUET Cardiopulmonary AG. "This product acquisition is just another example of our commitment to providing our customers with the most innovative and highest quality products available to treat critically ill patients."

"MAQUET's growing leadership in the cardiopulmonary space makes our Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter the ideal acquisition to further expand the number of patients globally who can benefit from this device," said Michael Janish, Chief Executive Officer of Avalon Laboratories.

The patented Avalon Elite^® Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter is indicated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for simultaneous venous drainage and reinfusion of blood via the internal jugular vein during extracorporeal life support procedures. The catheter is designed to increase the efficiency of blood gas exchange by draining blood from both the upper and lower body while simultaneously re-infusing it directly into the heart. The catheter is also designed to minimize recirculation and maximize blood flow while providing a less invasive solution for the patient.  The Avalon Elite^® Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the CE Mark from the European Medicines Agency.

The Avalon Elite^® Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter rounds out MAQUET`s cannula product line which also includes the state-of-the-art HLS single lumen cannula line and conventional double lumen pediatric cannulae.  The Avalon Elite^® product range will be available via the MAQUET global sales and distribution channels as well as through existing Avalon distributors and will be sold under the Trademark Avalon Elite^®.

"With the addition of the Avalon Elite^® catheter line, we now offer the customers and patients we serve with a full range of minimally invasive venous or arterial cannulation techniques for ECLS," said Dr. Wolfgang Rencken.  "The Avalon Elite^® Bi-Caval Dual Lumen Catheter is a state of the art ECLS technology that sets the standard for new MAQUET catheter offerings in the future and will play an integral role in new cardiopulmonary offerings from MAQUET." 

About MAQUET
As a trusted partner for hospitals and clinicians since 1838, MAQUET is a global leader in medical systems that advance surgical interventions, cardiovascular procedures and critical care. MAQUET develops and designs innovative products and therapeutic applications for the operating room, hybrid OR/cath lab, intensive care unit and patient transport within acute care hospitals, improving outcomes and quality of life for patients.

Cardiovascular specialties include intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation (IABC) therapy for cardiac assist; coronary artery bypass surgery; aortic and peripheral vascular surgery; and extracorporeal circulation.

The Critical Care portfolio includes market-leading intensive care ventilators and anesthesia machines.

MAQUET also equips Surgical Workplaces with critical infrastructure such as flexible room design for OR and ICU; OR tables; lights and ceiling supply units; and OR integration for image data management.

MAQUET is a subsidiary of the publicly listed Swedish Getinge Group. In 2011, MAQUET generated nearly 1.4 billion Euro which is more than half of the Group's annual revenue of 2.4 billion Euros. The GETINGE Group has 13,000 employees worldwide, including around 6,000 MAQUET employees in 40 international sales and service organizations, as well as a network of more than 280 sales representatives. For more information please visit www.maquet.com and www.getingegroup.com.

SOURCE MAQUET Cardiovascular