Asset Impairments and Restructuring	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Asset Impairments and Restructuring	3. Asset Impairments and Restructuring During the third quarter of 2012, the company recorded an asset impairment charge of $13.2 million ($8.0 million after tax). This charge relates to the write-down of certain core technologies associated with a non-strategic product in the company’s vascular product group. During the second quarter of 2012, the company recorded asset impairment charges of $9.0 million ($5.8 million after tax). The charges in the second quarter reflect impairments of assets not related to operations. These asset impairment charges were recorded to other (income) expense, net. During the second half of 2011, the company initiated certain restructuring actions in order to improve its overall cost structure and enhance operational effectiveness. These actions included the realignment of certain sales functions in the United States. At September 30, 2012, the remaining liability related to these restructuring actions was $1.0 million, which reflects cash payments made in 2012 of $4.8 million and a reversal of $1.6 million of restructuring costs. The company expects activities under these restructuring actions to be substantially complete by the end of 2012.

Asset Impairments and Restructuring

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

3. Asset Impairments and Restructuring

During the third quarter of 2012, the company recorded an asset impairment charge of $13.2 million ($8.0 million after tax). This charge relates to the write-down of certain core technologies associated with a non-strategic product in the company’s vascular product group. During the second quarter of 2012, the company recorded asset impairment charges of $9.0 million ($5.8 million after tax). The charges in the second quarter reflect impairments of assets not related to operations. These asset impairment charges were recorded to other (income) expense, net.

During the second half of 2011, the company initiated certain restructuring actions in order to improve its overall cost structure and enhance operational effectiveness. These actions included the realignment of certain sales functions in the United States. At September 30, 2012, the remaining liability related to these restructuring actions was $1.0 million, which reflects cash payments made in 2012 of $4.8 million and a reversal of $1.6 million of restructuring costs. The company expects activities under these restructuring actions to be substantially complete by the end of 2012.