Exclusive agreement with the Esaote Group for the InView™ Hand-Held Ultrasound System paves the way for future product development.

READING, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arrow International (NASDAQ: ARRO), the world’s leading provider of central venous catheter (CVC) products, has announced that it will distribute in the U.S. and Canada on an exclusive basis a new Hand-Held Ultrasound System for vascular access produced by Esaote, a leading worldwide manufacturer of medical diagnostic equipment based in Italy.

The InView Ultrasound System will complement the broadening range of access products recently introduced by Arrow; the Maximal Barrier Precautions CVC and Pressure Injectable PICC Kits. The InView’s unique feature set and robust design will provide clinicians with a cost effective, easy to use ultrasound guidance system to assist in the placement of vascular catheters.

“The addition of the InView Ultrasound System to our venous access product range is a step in broadening our product portfolio to include the tools clinicians require for the accurate placement of CVCs and PICCs,” said Rick Eagle, Vice President, Venous Access, Arrow International. “Esaote has a strong technology base in diagnostic ultrasound. There are many joint marketing opportunities that our companies are evaluating.”

"The collaboration with Arrow International into the venous access market is a strategic step for increasing the capacity of the Esaote Group to develop ultrasound units dedicated to innovative clinical applications, which can improve and simplify the clinician’s daily activities" said Claudio Andreucci, Ultrasound & ECG Manager of the Esaote Group. “Future developments based on this collaboration should surely open brilliant opportunities.”

About Arrow

Arrow International, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of clinically advanced, disposable catheters and related products for critical and cardiac care. The Company’s products are used primarily by anesthesiologists, critical care specialists, surgeons, emergency and trauma physicians, cardiologists, interventional radiologists and other healthcare providers. Arrow International’s news releases and other company information can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.arrowintl.com.

About Esaote

The Esaote Group develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of non-invasive diagnostic Ultrasound, musculoskeletal MRI, ECG and IT systems. The Company’s products are used primarily by Radiologists, Cardiologists, OB/GYN, Orthopedic specialists, Interventional Radiologists and other healthcare providers. Information concerning Esaote and its products are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.esaote.com