Danaher 2011 Annual Report Download - page 9

Table of Contents
Our core lab diagnostics business is a leading manufacturer and marketer of biomedical testing instrument systems, tests and supplies that are used to
evaluate and analyze samples made up of body fluids, cells and other substances. The information generated is used to diagnose disease, monitor and guide
treatment and therapy, assist in managing chronic disease and assess patient status in the hospital, outpatient and physician office settings. The business
offers the following products:
• Our chemistry systems use electrochemical detection and chemical reactions with patient samples to detect and quantify substances of diagnostic
interest in blood and other body fluids. Commonly performed tests include glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, electrolytes, proteins and enzymes.
• Our immunoassay systems also detect and quantify chemical substances of diagnostic interest in body fluids, particularly in circumstances
where more specialized diagnosis is required. Commonly performed immunoassay tests assess thyroid function, screen and monitor for cancer
and cardiac risk and provide important information in fertility and reproductive testing.
• Our cellular analysis business includes hematology, flow cytometry and coagulation products. The business’ hematology systems use principles
of physics, optics, electronics and chemistry to separate cells of diagnostic interest and then quantify and characterize them, allowing clinicians to
study formed elements in blood (such as red and white blood cells and platelets). The business’ flow cytometry products rapidly sort, identify,
categorize and characterize multiple types of cells in suspension, allowing clinicians to determine cell types and characteristics and analyze
specific cell populations based on molecular differences. The business also distributes coagulation products, which rely on clotting, chromogenic
and immunologic technologies to provide the detailed information that clinicians require to diagnose bleeding and clotting disorders and to monitor
anticoagulant therapy.
• We also offer systems and workflow solutions that allow laboratories to automate a number of steps from the pre-analytical through post-
analytical stages including sample barcoding/information tracking, centrifugation, aliquotting, storage and conveyance. These systems along with
the analyzers above are controlled through laboratory level software that enables laboratory managers to monitor samples, results and lab
efficiency.
Typical users of the business’ core lab diagnostics products include hospitals, physician’s offices, veterinary laboratories, reference laboratories and
pharmaceutical clinical trial laboratories.
Our acute care diagnostics business is a leading worldwide provider of instruments and related consumables and services that are used in both laboratory and
point-of-care environments to rapidly measure critical parameters, including blood gases, electrolytes, metabolites and cardiac markers. Typical users of these
products include hospital central laboratories, intensive care units, hospital operating rooms and hospital emergency rooms.
Our pathology diagnostics business is a leading histology company in the anatomical pathology market, offering a comprehensive suite of instrumentation and
related consumables used across the entire workflow of a pathology laboratory. Our pathology diagnostics products include tissue embedding, processing and
slicing (microtomes) instruments and related reagents and consumables; chemical and immuno-staining instruments, reagents, antibodies and consumables;
slide coverslipping and slide/cassette marking instruments; and imaging instrumentation including slide scanners, microscopes, cameras and associated
software. Typical users of these products include pathologists, lab managers and researchers.
Customers in the diagnostics industry select products based on a number of factors, including product quality and reliability, the scope of tests that can be
performed, the accuracy and speed of the product, the product’s ability to enhance productivity, total cost of ownership and access to a highly qualified
service and support network as well as the other factors described under “—Competition.” Our diagnostics business generally markets its products under the
BECKMAN COULTER, LEICA BIOSYSTEMS, RADIOMETER and SURGIPATH brands. Manufacturing facilities are located in North America,
Europe, Asia and Australia. The businesses sell to customers primarily through direct sales personnel and to a lesser extent through independent distributors.
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Source: DANAHER CORP /DE/, 10-K, February 24, 2012 Powered by Morningstar® Document Research℠
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