BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global supplier of healthcare products, today announced the integration of its Nellcor™ OxiMax™ oximetry system into Philips IntelliVue and M-Series patient monitors. Philips is a leading global provider of patient monitoring solutions, and the collaboration between the companies is expected to significantly increase, in all major geographies, hospitals’ and healthcare providers’ access to the industry-leading capabilities offered by both companies.

Customers will have the added flexibility of choosing the Nellcor OxiMax technology in Philips IntelliVue and M-Series patient monitors for critical care areas such as the Intensive Care, Emergency, Anesthesia and Neonatal Care departments. This enables the IntelliVue and M-Series patient monitors to be compatible with Covidien’s Nellcor OxiMax specialty sensors, including the Max-Fast™ forehead sensor for patients with poor perfusion and the SoftCare™ nonadhesive sensor line for patients with sensitive skin, including newborns. In the intensive care unit and other high-acuity areas of the hospital, Max-Fast and SoftCare sensors support effective, comfortable care for the most critical patients.

“Hospitals and clinicians are under constant pressure to improve outcomes and decrease costs. In turn, they are demanding expanded access to the technologies and medical devices they trust,” said Chris Lowery, General Manager and Vice President, Patient Monitoring, Covidien. “Covidien’s partnership with Philips gives hospitals access to advanced technology from two leading medical monitoring companies. The successful completion of this collaboration with Philips, a recognized industry leader in patient monitoring, is consistent with Covidien’s mission to provide products that help clinicians deliver safe and efficacious patient care, while simultaneously maximizing hospital efficiency.”

“Many clinicians have expressed great interest in Nellcor OxiMax technology in our IntelliVue patient monitors,” said David Russell, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Informatics and Patient Monitoring, Philips Healthcare. “This collaboration enhances our ability to provide customers in the USA, Europe and many other markets with a choice of their preferred trusted pulse oximetry technology. This partnership also underscores Philips’ commitment to providing clear, accurate information to support clinical decision-making across all areas of the hospital.”

About Covidien

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines in four segments: Medical Devices, Imaging Solutions, Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Supplies. With 2008 revenue of nearly $10 billion, Covidien has more than 41,000 employees worldwide in 59 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this communication that do not describe historical facts, including statements regarding the integration of certain Covidien and Philips products, may constitute forward-looking statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the companies’ expectations and projections. Risks and uncertainties include, among other things, general industry and medical device market conditions; technological advances and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in the research and development and regulatory processes; challenges related to product marketing, such as the unpredictability of market acceptance for new medical device products; inconsistency of treatment results among patients; the potential for product failures; potential difficulties in manufacturing new products; and governmental laws and regulations affecting domestic and foreign operations. Covidien expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements except as required to do so by law. Additional information concerning these and other risk factors can be found in press releases issued by Covidien, as well as Covidien’s public periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.