Stryker agrees Patient Safety Technologies acquisition

Stryker has announced the acquisition of Patient Safety Technologies, creator of the Safety-Sponge System and SurgiCount 360 compliance software.

The $120 million (73.18 million pounds) deal will give Stryker full control over the company, which conducts its business through its wholly owned subsidiary, SurgiCount Medical.

Its Safety-Sponge and SurgiCount 360 offerings are used to help prevent retained foreign objects in the operating room through the use of barcoded sponges and towels, an integrated barcode scanner and compliance tracking software, thereby improving patient safety and reducing healthcare costs.

The Safety-Sponge System will now become part of Stryker's instruments division portfolio, enhancing its range of products designed to optimise the perioperative experience.

Timothy Scannell, group president for MedSurg and Neurotechnology at Stryker, said: "We are committed to providing solutions that result in a higher quality of care and level of safety for both patients and healthcare professionals."

Last month, the company expanded its capabilities further by completing its $1.65 billion takeover of Mako Surgical Corp.