Christie has acquired all of the assets of Luminetx, a medical biosciences technology company. The acquisition includes technology and intellectual property for the vascular imaging system, VeinViewer, a device to utilize patented technologies to locate subcutaneous veins and project a real-time image of their location onto the surface of the skin.
Christie will create a new medical products business operating under Christie Medical Holdings (Christie Medical).
The VeinViewer system uses near infrared light to detect a patient’s veins through the skin and sophisticated image processing technology to project a map of the vasculature on top of the skin.
The benefits of this technology include improved peripheral vascular access resulting in fewer intravenous (or IV) sticks, less time to start an IV, improved patient comfort and reduced healthcare operating costs. It is estimated that nine out of every ten procedures within a hospital start with IV access and there are over one billion vein punctures performed annually in the US alone.
George Pinho, president of Christie Medical, said: “We’re excited by the potential of this acquisition. Christie’s goal is to diversify into emerging markets and we have an unique opportunity to enter the medical imaging industry.
“Christie will leverage its core competencies in image projection, optical and mechanical design, and expertise in DLP technology to help Christie Medical further penetrate markets in medical visualization. Our combined teams will create exciting growth opportunities, through our collective capabilities and complementary technologies.”