Waters Corporation has announced the acquisition of Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry (REIMS) technology from MediMass. The REIMS technology represents all of the assets of MediMass substantially and includes patent applications, software, databases and REIMS expertize.

"While showing promise across many applications, REIMS technology significantly strengthens Waters' technology position within Health Sciences," said Mr Rohit Khanna, VP, Worldwide Marketing and Informatics, Waters Division.  He added, "This technology acquisition along with our recent agreement with Prosolia, for exclusive rights to Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) technology in clinical applications are key components in our burgeoning Heath Sciences initiative. Both direct-from-sample ion source technologies are strategic discriminators as we look to grow the impact of mass spectrometry throughout the Health Sciences Continuum."

REIMS is the enabling technology for "Intelligent Knife" or "iKnife," a device in the conceptual stages of development that could potentially be used for real-time diagnostics in surgery. Waters is committed to exploring the viability of this application in accordance with all applicable regulatory requirements, the company stated in a press release.