Company Profile

In Sept 2009, Aspect Medical was acquired by Covidein plc. Aspect Medical System’s (NASDAQ: ASPM) was initially focused to development of technology that could measure a then unknown element of patient status – the direct effect of drugs and disease on the brain. The firm now operates as a division of Medronics. Aspect is recognized as a pioneer and global market leader in brain monitoring, having led the way to develop proprietary technologies that directly measure these effects and ultimately improve the quality and cost effectiveness of patient care. Aspect’s premier product — Bispectral Index™ (BIS™) technology —was the first clinically proven and commercially available direct measure of the effects of anesthetics and sedatives on the brain. At present an estimated 20 million patients undergo surgery with general anesthesia or deep sedation each year in the United States, and an additional 30 million in Europe and Japan. BIS technology allows medical professionals, for the first time, to reliably gauge the precise amount of drug required by each patient, resulting in better overall patient care and fewer undesirable events. The company’s core BIS technology has been the subject of approximately 3,100 published articles and abstracts. BIS technology also has a proven track record in practical application. It has been used to assess approximately 31 million patients and is utilized in the operating room (OR), intensive care unit (ICU), and a range of other settings where sedation is given. BIS technology is installed in approximately 80 percent of hospitals listed in the July 2008 U.S News and World Report ranking of America’s Best Hospitals and in approximately 71 percent of all domestic operating rooms. In the last twelve months BIS technology was used in approximately 19 percent of all U.S. surgical procedures requiring general anesthesia or deep sedation. BIS technology is available in more than 160 countries. Aspect Medical Systems has OEM agreements with nine leading manufacturers of patient monitoring systems. BIS technology is incorporated into all of Aspect’s products, which are granted the CE mark and are distributed in the U.S. through both direct field representatives and a regional distributor network. The international division, headquartered in De Meern, The Netherlands is responsible for sales, distribution and clinical support outside the U.S. Aspect’s core products include: 1. BIS Sensors, comprised of a one-piece, disposable strip placed on the patient’s forehead to acquire the EEG signals needed for the BIS Index (adult and pediatric sensors are available) 2. The BIS VISTA™Monitoring System 3.The BIS VIEW™ Monitoring System 4.The A-2000™ BIS Monitoring System 5.The BISx™ Module and BIS Module, designed to allow easy integration of BIS technology into o