Related party transactions

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2012

Related party transactions

21. Related party transactions:

On July 25, 2011, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its 25% interest in a China-based affiliate for $2,500. The book value of the interest in the China-based affiliate was written down to $0 in fiscal year 2006, and the Company, upon final approval of the transaction by the Chinese government and receipt of the proceeds, recorded a gain on sale of other investments of $2,500 in fiscal year 2012.

At July 31, 2011, the Company had a net advance payments and deferred revenue balance of $474 from its China-based affiliate. Sales to this China-based affiliate for fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010 were approximately $0, $2,808, and $1,289, respectively.

In April 2010, the Company invested $1,900 in a start-up company with proprietary technology expected to be utilized in the Company’s Ultrasound segment. The Company has received $1,547, $2,438, and $438 of engineering services from this start-up Company during fiscal years 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.