Perkin-Elmer to Sell Instruments Unit to EG

NORWALK, Conn. March 8 -- Perkin-Elmer has agreed to sell its Analytical Instruments Division to EG&G for $425 million. Perkin-Elmer will change its name to PE Corp. and transfer rights to its brand name to EG&G. PE will retain its Connecticut real estate, some of which will be leased to EG&G for Analytical Instrument operations.
Both companies' Boards of Directors have approved the transaction, which is not subject to conditions related to financing. The sale is subject to regulatory approval and other normal closing conditions.Ericsson to Supply WDM to German Telco STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 8 -- Ericsson has contracted to supply German telco operator o.tel.o with WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) systems that will increase the capacity of o.tel.o's existing infrastructure. Ericsson also supplies WDM switching infrastructure with its AXE system to European operators Telefonica, BT and Sonera. It signed its first contract with o.tel.o in 1996.Trimedyne Laser Patent Validated IRVINE, Calif., March 8 -- The US Patent and Trademark Office's re-examination of Trimedyne's patent on the use of a laser, drug injector or any other therapeutic device on the heart which is synchronized with the patient's electrocardiogram has resulted in a reissue without change. This patent is exclusively licensed to Trimedyne's 90-percent-owned subsidiary, Cardiodyne Inc.
Trimedyne requested the re-examination after a literature search uncovered two publications not considered before the patent was granted. The patent office found that the publications did not affect the validity of the patent.Firms to Develop Optical Photomask Solutions SANTA CLARA, Calif. March 8 -- Numerical Technologies, Inc. and Photronics, Inc. have agreed to develop advanced photomask solutions for subwavelength lithography by ensuring optimal integration between the integrated circuit design and reticle manufacturing processes.
The agreement links subwavelength design and photomask manufacturing for both phase shifting and optical proximity correction technologies. The semiconductor industry is looking toward such optical enhancement technologies for solutions to manufacturing subwavelength integrated circuits.Blue Sky Research Names Shugart to Board SOQUEL, Calif. March 8 -- Blue Sky Research has appointed Al Shugart to its board of directors. Shugart founded Seagate Technology, Inc., the world's largest independent manufacturer of disk drives and related components, before leaving in 1998 to form a management/consultant company. Shugart is expected to play a role in helping Blue Sky develop its patented technology and bring high-performance optical components to market.US Firm Wins Taiwan Vision Contract SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, March 9 -- Evans & Sutherland Computer Corp. will supply complete visual systems for two AH-1W helicopter-training simulators for the Government of Taiwan. The systems will enable the Taiwanese army to use the helicopter simulators for day, night, and sensor mission training with all aircraft weapon systems. System components for each simulator include a five-projector partial dome display with a 220? horizontal x 70? vertical field of view; a six-channel ESIG(R)-4530 image generator; a database, and the EaSIEST NT database modeling system.