An eye on visualisation

UK-based surgical technology specialist Gyrus Group is set to double in size following news that it plans to buy US medical device company ACMI for £275m.

Gyrus — whose key customers are ear, nose and throat surgeons, gynaecologists and urologists — will look to capitalise on ACMI’s work in visualisation software and its 40 per cent hold on the US urological endoscope market, worth an estimated £110m a year.

The company said the deal would increase its product range in gynaecology and urology, and provide a platform to expand into general surgery.

In May ACMI, which is controlled by US private equity firm Fox Paine, claimed to have developed the world’s smallest digital camera and video sensor, a combination that is smaller than a matchstick, which will be incorporated into advanced endoscopic medical devices. ACMI was also the first company to develop digital endoscopes.

This is the third time that Gyrus has doubled in size. In 2000 the company acquired of US-based Everest Medical. Then the following year the group entered the head and neck surgery market by simultaneously acquiring the ENT division of Smith & Nephew and Somnus Medical Technologies.