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History Philips Medical Systems

Our Company History

Philips Medical Systems has long provided the equipment and technologies that are on the cutting-edge of the healthcare market.  Founded in 1896 when Philips manufactured the first x-ray tubes for medical applications to 1998 when Philips launched a Healthcare Services group dedicated to the advancement of healthcare technology that meets the specialized needs of clinicians as well as patients, Philips Medical Systems is well positioned to transform the healthcare possibilities of tomorrow into the realities of today.

 

After launching a Healthcare Services group in 1998, Philips Electronics invested heavily in its medical business segment in order to further enhance its product portfolio.  In October of that year, Philips Electronics acquired ATL Ultrasound of Bothell, Washington, an innovator in all digital ultrasound systems, including a broad product range comprised of both high-definition and compact systems.  In recent years, product innovations have resulted in advanced signal processing such as tissue harmonic imaging; 3D; and panoramic imaging.

 

To expand our presence in nuclear medicine, Philips acquired ADAC Laboratories of Milpitas, California, on December 18, 2000.  Today, Philips Medical offers hospitals, research facilities and outpatient centers with the most advanced NM technology available in the healthcare market --including gantry-free nuclear medicine gamma cameras, SPECT and PET systems, computers and clinical software. 

 

On August 1, 2001, Philips acquired Agilent Technologies’ Healthcare Solutions Group of Andover, Massachusetts.  The purchase of Agilent’s former healthcare business transformed Philips into the number two medical equipment provider in the world.  Key products include diagnostic cardiology, ultrasound imaging, patient monitoring, automated external defibrillators, point of care diagnostic systems, related supplies, and professional services and support.

 

Just a few months later on October 19, 2001, Philips completed a three-year acquisition strategy through its purchase of Marconi Medical Systems of Cleveland, Ohio -- a medical imaging innovator since 1915. Key products include leading multi-slice CT systems as well as advanced applications in cardiology, oncology and PET/CT imaging.

 

The Growth Continues
In August, 5, 2005 Philips announced it had completed the acquisition of a 100% stake in Stentor, Inc., a leading provider of picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) used for storing, managing, and distributing digital radiology images throughout hospitals and healthcare facilities. From its headquarters in Brisbane, California, the Stentor site has become the global headquarters of Philips' overall PACS business. By merging with Stentor, Philips can offer hospitals and other customers a complete package of state-of-the-art medical scanners along with Stentor's best-in-class PACS products to handle the large volumes of imaging data generated by medical scanners. As a result of this acquisition, Philips now ranks globally as the number two supplier of PACS.

 

On April 27, 2006, Philips completed its acquisition of Witt Biomedical Corporation, the largest independent supplier of hemodynamic monitoring and clinical reporting systems used in cardiology catheterization laboratories (Cath Labs), where heart patients undergo a catheterization procedure, in which a small tube or catheter is inserted in an artery in the arm or leg to reach the heart for diagnosis and treatment. Due to the growing digitization of hospitals, cardiologists are increasingly demanding that Cath Labs be fully integrated into a hospital's IT infrastructure. Hemodynamic monitors measure and monitor a patient’s ECG (electrocardiogram), blood pressure and other vital signs associated with a Cath Lab procedure. Clinical reporting systems record and document the entire Cath Lab procedure.

 

Through this acquisition, Philips and Witt both expect to offer customers an integrated suite of best-in-class technologies for the Cath Lab department, leading to increased sales in cardiovascular x-ray, cardiology picture archiving and communication systems (PACS), and in hemodynamic monitoring and reporting systems. Witt Biomedical has been integrated into the Cardiovascular X-ray business unit of Philips Medical Systems. 

 

In addition to these strategic acquisitions, Philips continues to enhance its offerings through select affiliations.