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Conmed snaps up Viking Systems. Sunshine Heart’s C-Pulse heart assist device is approved in Europe. KCI patent appeal puts ball back in S&N’s court. More news briefs.

Minimally invasive surgical equipment maker ConMed Corp. will expand its surgical imaging business through the acquisition of Viking Systems Inc. for $22.5 million under a definitive agreement announced Aug. 14. Conmed will pay $0.27 per share for Viking – a 42% premium over the firm’s Aug. 13 stock price close of $0.19. Viking’s lead product is the Viking 3D-HD three dimensional, high definition vision system, which employs a flat screen monitor and “passive glasses,” for use by surgeons during complex minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Viking generated sales of $2.2 million in the second quarter, down 11% from the same quarter last year. Conmed says it will launch a tender offer to acquire the Viking shares by Aug. 27. The firm aims to complete the transaction by year-end.

The Viking 3D-HD system “represents a strategic addition to our general surgical imaging franchise,” said Conmed CEO Joseph J. Corasanti....

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