GE Marquette Medical Systems and Critikon Sign Agreement to Form Global Alliance / Companies Join to Support a $2.2 Billion Global Patient Monitoring Market

Tampa, Fla. and Milwaukee (PROTEXT) - Critikon Company LLC andGE Marquette Medical Systems (NYSE: GE) announced today that thecompanies have agreed to form a global alliance to jointlydevelop and distribute patient monitoring equipment and suppliesused in medical clinics and hospitals. In addition, Critikon willutilize GE Marquette's global service network to enhance thetechnical support it provides to customers. The alliance will join Critikon's strong line of DINAMAP(R)monitoring systems for sub-acute care with GE Marquette'srespected offering of acute care monitoring and informationsystems including the recently introduced Solar(R) 9500 andDash(R) patient monitors. Together through the alliance, Critikonand GE Marquette will be uniquely suited to support enterprise-wide network solutions for healthcare organizations around theworld. "From routine office visits to critical care situations, ouralliance with Critikon will support healthcare professionals withbest-in-class patient monitoring and information systems," saidDr. Fred Robertson, president and CEO, GE Marquette. "We arepleased to provide a technology and service solution thatsupports the entire continuum of care." The alliance structure announced today will be implementedthrough a series of agreements to be negotiated between GEMarquette and Critikon. These implementation agreements will bedesigned to provide Critikon access to GE Marquette's Unity(TM)Network, Apex telemetry, Clinical Information Center (CIC) andDash products, which provide hospitals with advanced clinical andnetworking capabilities. In return, GE Marquette will gain accessto Critikon's DINAMAP technology and supplies, the industry'sgold standard for non-invasive blood pressure monitoring. "This agreement signifies both companies' commitment toserving healthcare organizations with world-class, leading-edgeproducts that share a common data communications package," saidGordie Nye, president and CEO of Critikon. "Our goal is tosupport a full range of patient monitoring needs and helphealthcare professionals provide the most effective and efficientpatient care." Critikon Company LLC is a leading provider of non-invasiveblood pressure monitor devices (DINAMAP Monitors) and bloodpressure cuffs. Critikon offers a full range of vital signsmonitors and central station systems for use in the sub-acutesegment of the hospital and non-hospital markets. Additionalinformation about Critikon and its products can be found on thecompany's web site at http://www.critikon.com GE Marquette Medical Systems is a leading global provider ofmedical diagnostic equipment and services including diagnosticcardiology, patient monitoring and clinical information systems.GE Marquette, a GE Medical Systems Company, is headquartered inMilwaukee, Wis. Additional information about GE Marquette and itsproducts can be found on the company's web site athttp://www.gemedicalsystems.com GE Medical Systems is a $6 billion business, employing nearly20,000 people worldwide. ots Original Text Service: GE MarquetteMedical Systems Internet: http://www.newsaktuell.de Contact:Jennifer Christiansen of GE Marquette Medical Systems (USA) 414-362-2544, pager 888-970-1313, or Mike Genau of Critikon CompanyLLC (USA) 813-887-2103 Web site: http://www.critikon.com Website: http://www.gemedicalsystems.com

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