Norfolk, Va.-based CIRS, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Bridgeport, Conn.-based ATS Laboratories, Inc. The merger brings together both company’s technologies, providing greater choice in ultrasonic tissue-mimicking materials while maintaining high levels of quality and customer service.

ATS Laboratories, Inc.—a privately held corporation established in 1978—designs and manufactures tissue-mimicking phantoms for the routine performance monitoring, training, and in-process production testing of ultrasound imaging systems. Although CIRS’ and ATS Laboratories’ ultrasound products are similar, they use different tissue mimicking materials, company officials reveal.

Bringing the companies together, they maintain, just makes good business sense. “The incorporation of ATS into CIRS will transpire over the next few weeks,” adds Ted Lynch, CIRS’ ultrasound manager. “It should be a smooth transition for both ATS customers and their distribution network. ATS products will be readily available with little or no delay in filling customer orders.”

Early next year, CIRS will manufacture and deliver ATS products from Norfolk, Va.