THERMEDICS INC
10-K, 1998-03-18
MISC INDUSTRIAL & COMMERCIAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                   ------------------------------------------
                                    FORM 10-K

  (mark one)
  [ X ] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended January 3, 1998
  [   ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
        Exchange Act of 1934

                          Commission file number 1-9567

                                 THERMEDICS INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
  Massachusetts                                                     04-2788806
  (State or other jurisdiction of                             (I.R.S. Employer
  incorporation or organization)                           Identification No.)

  470 Wildwood Street, P.O. Box 2999
  Woburn, Massachusetts                                             01888-1799
  (Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)
       Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (617) 622-1000

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

        Title of each class        Name of each exchange on which registered
    ----------------------------   -----------------------------------------
    Common Stock, $.10 par value            American Stock Exchange

          Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act:
                                      None
  Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
  required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
  of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to the
  filing requirements for at least the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [   ]

  Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
  405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
  the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
  statements incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K or any
  amendment to this Form 10-K. [   ]

  The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
  Registrant as of January 30, 1998, was approximately $234,966,000.

  As of January 30, 1998, the Registrant had 36,725,953 shares of common stock
  outstanding.
                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

  Portions of the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders for the year
  ended January 3, 1998, are incorporated by reference into Parts I and II.

  Portions of the Registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual
  Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 1, 1998, are incorporated by
  reference into Part III.
PAGE
<PAGE>
                                     PART I

    Item 1. Business

    (a) General Development of Business

        The businesses of Thermedics Inc. (the Company or the Registrant) are
    divided into two segments: Instruments and Other Equipment, and
    Biomedical Products. The Company's Instruments and Other Equipment
    segment includes Thermo Sentron Inc., which designs, develops,
    manufactures, and sells high-speed precision-weighing and inspection
    equipment for industrial production and packaging lines. Also part of the
    Instruments and Other Equipment segment is the Company's Orion laboratory
    products division, which manufactures electrode-based
    chemical-measurement products that determine the quality of a wide
    variety of substances by measuring components, such as pH, ion, dissolved
    oxygen, and conductivity levels and are used in the agricultural,
    biomedical research, food-processing, pharmaceutical, and many other
    industries. Through the Company's Thermedics Detection Inc. subsidiary,
    the Instruments and Other Equipment segment also develops, manufactures,
    and markets high-speed, on-line detection instruments used in a variety
    of industrial process applications, security applications, and laboratory
    analysis. In March and November 1996, Thermedics Detection issued shares
    of its common stock in private placements for net proceeds of $7.0
    million, and in March 1997, Thermedics Detection completed the sale of
    shares of common stock in its initial public offering for net proceeds of
    $28.1 million. The Instruments and Other Equipment segment, through the
    Company's Thermo Voltek Corp. subsidiary, also designs, manufactures, and
    markets electronic-test instruments, and a range of products related to
    power amplification, conversion, and quality.

        As part of its Biomedical Products segment, the Company's Thermo
    Cardiosystems Inc. subsidiary has developed two implantable left
    ventricular-assist systems (LVAS): a pneumatic, or air-driven, system and
    an electric version. Thermo Cardiosystems' Nimbus Medical Inc.
    subsidiary, the business of which was acquired in December 1996, has been
    involved in artificial heart technology for more than 20 years and has
    carried out research in two primary fields: ventricular-assist devices
    and total artificial hearts. Nimbus was instrumental in developing the
    basic technology for high-speed rotary blood pumps. On May 2, 1997,
    Thermo Cardiosystems acquired International Technidyne Corporation from
    Thermo Electron Corporation in exchange for the right to receive
    3,355,705 shares of Thermo Cardiosystems' common stock. International
    Technidyne is a leading manufacturer of near-patient, whole-blood
    coagulation testing equipment and related disposables and also
    manufacturers premium-quality, single-use skin-incision devices. The
    3,355,705 shares of Thermo Cardiosystems' common stock issuable in the
    merger will not be issued until the listing of such shares for trading
    upon the American Stock Exchange has been approved by Thermo
    Cardiosystems' shareholders. Because the Company is the majority
    shareholder and intends to vote its shares in favor of such listing, the
    approval is assured. In addition, as part of its Biomedical Products
    segment, the Company also develops, manufactures, and markets enteral
    nutrition-delivery systems and a line of medical-grade polymers used in
    medical disposables and nonmedical, industrial applications, including
    safety glass and automotive coatings.

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<PAGE>
        The Company was incorporated in 1983 under the laws of Massachusetts
    as a wholly owned subsidiary of Thermo Electron. Prior to that time, the
    business of the Company was conducted by the R & D/New Business Center of
    Thermo Electron. As of January 3, 1998, Thermo Electron owned 21,141,471
    shares of the Company's common stock, representing 58% of such stock
    outstanding. Thermo Electron provides analytical and monitoring
    instruments; biomedical products including heart-assist devices,
    respiratory-care equipment, and mammography systems; paper recycling and
    papermaking equipment; alternative-energy systems; industrial process
    equipment; and other specialized products. Thermo Electron also provides
    industrial outsourcing, particularly in environmental-liability
    management, laboratory analysis, and metallurgical processing, and
    conducts advanced-technology research and development.

        Thermo Electron intends, for the foreseeable future, to maintain at
    least 50% ownership of the Company. This may require Thermo Electron to
    purchase additional shares of the Company's common stock (or debentures
    convertible into common stock) from time to time, as the number of the
    Company's outstanding shares increases. These or any other purchases may
    be made either in the open market or directly from the Company. See Notes
    4 and 7 to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 1997*
    Annual Report to Shareholders for a description of the Company's
    outstanding stock options and convertible debentures. During 1997, Thermo
    Electron purchased 852,264 shares of the Company's common stock in the
    open market for $17.4 million. Additionally, during 1997, Thermo Electron
    purchased in the open market 50,400 shares, 186,500 shares, and 426,900
    shares of the common stock of Thermo Cardiosystems, Thermo Voltek, and
    Thermo Sentron, respectively, for $1.4 million, $1.8 million, and $4.8
    million, respectively.

        On February 5, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors voted to issue
    4,880,533 shares of its common stock to Thermo Electron in exchange for
    100% of the stock of TMO TCA Holdings Inc., which is the beneficial owner
    of 3,355,705 shares of Thermo Cardiosystems' common stock. The issuance
    of the 3,355,705 shares of Thermo Cardiosystems common stock is subject
    to the approval by Thermo Cardiosystems' shareholders for the acquisition
    of International Technidyne from Thermo Electron. The Company's issuance
    of the 4,880,533 shares of its common stock to Thermo Electron is subject
    to approval by the Company's shareholders. However, because Thermo
    Electron is the majority shareholder and intends to vote its shares in
    favor of the transaction, approval is assured. The shares of common stock
    will be exchanged at their respective fair market values as of February
    5, 1998.

    Forward-looking Statements

        Forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the
    Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, are made throughout this Annual
    Report on Form 10-K. For this purpose, any statements contained herein
    that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be

    * References to 1997, 1996, and 1995 herein are for the fiscal years
      ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996, and December 30, 1995,
      respectively.

                                        3PAGE
<PAGE>
    forward-looking statements. Without limiting the foregoing, the words,
    "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "seeks," "estimates," and
    similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
    There are a number of important factors that could cause the results of
    the Company to differ materially from those indicated by such
    forward-looking statements, including those detailed under the heading
    "Forward-looking Statements" in the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to
    Shareholders, which statements are incorporated herein by reference.

    (b) Financial Information About Industry Segments

        Financial information concerning the Company's industry segments is
    summarized in Note 14 to Consolidated Financial Statements in the
    Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders, which information is
    incorporated herein by reference.

    (c) Description of Business

    Instruments and Other Equipment

        Precision-weighing and Inspection Equipment. Thermo Sentron serves
    two principal markets: packaged goods and bulk materials. Thermo
    Sentron's products for the packaged-goods market include a broad range of
    checkweighing equipment and metal detectors that can be integrated at
    various stages in production lines for process control and quality
    assurance. These products are sold primarily to customers in the
    food-processing, pharmaceutical, mail-order, and other industries.
    Products in Thermo Sentron's bulk-material line include conveyor belt
    scales, solid level-measurement and conveyor-monitoring systems, sampling
    systems, and small-capacity feeders. These products are sold primarily to
    customers in the mining and material-processing industries, as well as
    electric utilities, chemical, and other manufacturing companies. In
    February 1997, the Company acquired the business of RCC Industrial
    Electronics Pty. Limited (RCCI), an Australia-based manufacturer of
    in-motion checkweighers for the food and pharmaceutical industries. In
    July 1997, the Company acquired Westerland Engineering Ltd., a United
    Kingdom-based manufacturer of process-weighing and control equipment.

        During 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Company derived revenues of $78.7
    million, $70.0 million, and $67.5 million, respectively, from its
    precision-weighing and inspection equipment.

        Laboratory Products. To expand its product quality assurance
    offerings, the Company acquired Orion in December 1995. Orion
    manufactures electrode-based chemical-measurement products that determine
    the quality of a wide variety of substances by measuring components, such
    as pH, ion, dissolved oxygen, and conductivity levels. Orion's products
    are used in the agricultural, biomedical research, food-processing,
    pharmaceutical, and many other industries. Pure water monitors, also
    marketed under the Orion name, use ion-selective technology to monitor
    parameters required for the control of high-purity water systems in power
    generation and other industrial applications. Other products include Cahn
    microweighing and moisture balances and Lear/Fischer filtration/moisture

                                        4PAGE
<PAGE>
    analysis products, all marketed under the Orion brand name. Orion also
    markets consumable products for its earlier instruments line.

        During 1997 and 1996, the Company derived revenues from laboratory
    products of approximately $53.1 million and $50.9 million, respectively.

        Process Detection Instruments. Thermedics Detection designs,
    manufactures, and markets high-speed on-line trace (parts-per-trillion)
    measurement, detection, and rejection equipment that uses particle- and
    vapor-detection and other technologies for product quality and
    productivity applications. The Alexus(R) system detects trace amounts of
    constituents that affect product quality in refillable plastic soft
    drink, water and other beverage containers. In 1996, the Company began
    selling its high-speed X-ray imaging system, marketed under the brand
    name InScan(TM), which uses high-speed X-ray imaging technology to
    determine accurate fill volume, net volume, and package integrity of
    containers for the beverage, food, and other industries. In 1996, the
    Company also introduced a high-speed gas chromatography instrument,
    marketed under the brand name Flash-GC(TM), which analyzes chemical
    samples at speeds 20 to 50 times faster than conventional gas
    chromatography. Thermedics Detection's Moisture Systems division,
    acquired in 1996, designs, manufactures, and markets equipment that uses
    near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to measure moisture and other product
    constituents, including fats, proteins, oils, flavorings, solvents,
    adhesives, and coatings, in a variety of manufacturing processes. These
    systems are used across the food, pharmaceutical, chemical,
    petrochemical, tobacco, forest products, paper converting, plastics,
    textiles, corrugating, and other industries.

        During 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Company derived revenues of
    approximately $37.8 million, $34.0 million, and $18.5 million,
    respectively, from its process detection instrument business. 

        Security Instruments. Also through Thermedics Detection, the Company
    designs, manufactures, and markets security instruments that use trace
    particle- and vapor-detection techniques for forensics, search and
    screening applications under the direction of police, border police,
    transportation authorities, and carriers. The Company's principal
    security instrument is the EGIS(R) system, a highly sensitive particle-
    and vapor-detection system for screening people, baggage, packages,
    freight, and electronic equipment such as personal computers for the
    presence of a wide range of explosives, including plastic explosives that
    have proven difficult to detect using conventional methods. The EGIS
    system is designed for stand-alone use in the detection of explosives in
    carry-on items and on personnel, and can be used in conjunction with
    enhanced X-ray and other advanced imaging systems to provide a
    comprehensive explosives-detection system for checked luggage. Initially
    developed with internal funds and contract funding from the Federal
    Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Department of State, more than
    200 EGIS units have been deployed to date. The EGIS system is currently
    operational in 24 countries and is in use in carry-on and checked-luggage
    screening at more than 45 international airports. EGIS is also used in
    government buildings and embassies, and at border crossings and other

                                        5PAGE
<PAGE>
    locations where there is a high degree of concern for security. The EGIS
    system has assisted in identifying explosives used in terrorist bombings,
    including those in the Federal Building in Oklahoma City and the World
    Trade Center in New York, as well as in Israel, Buenos Aires, and the
    United Kingdom. In March 1996, the Company supplied the U.S. government
    with eight EGIS systems to provide counter-terrorism support in Israel.
    Most recently, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the
    Federal Bureau of Investigation used EGIS systems in their attempt to
    identify the cause of the crash of TWA Flight 800.

        In September 1996, the Company entered into a development contract
    with the FAA to develop EGIS II, a lower-cost EGIS unit for use in more
    portable applications such as remote security checkpoints and
    counter-terrorism activities. In November 1996, the Company introduced
    its new SecurScan, a prototype of a walk-through trace detector designed
    to screen 10 passengers per minute, and introduced its Rampart system, a
    lower-cost unit for airport applications, in 1997. In addition, in 1997,
    the Company entered into a development contract with the British Ministry
    of Defense to develop an explosives-detection system that is even more
    sensitive than the EGIS system.

        Test Instruments and Power Products. Through its Thermo Voltek
    subsidiary, the Company designs, manufactures, and markets
    electronic-test instruments and a range of products related to power
    amplification, conversion, and quality. The Company's test instruments
    simulate pulsed electromagnetic interference, radio frequency
    interference, and changes in AC voltage, to allow manufacturers of
    electronic systems and integrated circuits to test for electromagnetic
    compatibility (EMC). These products are used in the product-development,
    design-verification, and quality-assurance stages, enabling customers to
    optimize performance, reliability, and safety in the final design, and to
    meet industry standards and regulatory requirements, including a European
    Union directive that took effect in January 1996. The Company's power
    products include radio frequency (RF) and microwave power amplifiers,
    power-conversion equipment, and high-voltage and application-specific
    power supplies. These power products are used in communications,
    broadcast, research, and medical imaging applications.  During 1997, the
    Company experienced lower demand for its EMC test products, due to the
    declining influence of IEC 801, the European Union directive on
    electromagnetic compatibility that took effect January 1, 1996, and, to a
    lesser extent, a decline in the component-reliability market for
    electrostatic discharge test equipment that resulted from a slowdown in
    capital expenditures by the semiconductor industry. Due in part to these
    developments, during 1997 the Company implemented certain operational,
    organizational, and personnel changes.

        During 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Company derived revenues of $44.6
    million, $48.5 million, and $36.3 million, respectively, from its test
    instruments and power products.

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    Biomedical Products

        Left Ventricular-assist Systems. The Company, through its Thermo
    Cardiosystems subsidiary, has developed two versions of its LVAS: an
    implantable pneumatic, or air-driven, system that can be controlled by
    either a bedside or portable console; and an electric system that
    features an internal electric motor powered by an external battery pack
    worn by the patient. Both of the Company's systems employ the Company's
    HeartMate(R) blood pump, and are designed for long-term use. This pump is
    implanted just below the diaphragm in a position that minimizes
    interference with normal circulation and other bodily functions. An inlet
    tube is inserted into the apex of the left ventricle to drain blood into
    the pump chamber. Blood is then forced out of the pump through an animal
    tissue valve and back into the aorta. The HeartMate blood pump works with
    the biological control mechanism of the natural heart to increase pumping
    capability when required for activities such as climbing stairs. The
    Company's LVAS devices are at various stages of regulatory approval.

        Air-driven LVAS. In October 1994, the FDA approved the air-driven
    system as a bridge to transplant for patients awaiting heart
    transplantation. This approval allows the Company to sell the air-driven
    LVAS to any of the nearly 900 cardiac surgery centers in the United
    States. In April 1994, the Company received the CE Mark for commercial
    sale of the air-driven LVAS in all European Community countries. In the
    air-driven LVAS, the HeartMate blood pump is coupled to an external
    console connected to the body by a tube. The Company has also developed
    the HeartPak(TM), a lightweight portable console that can be carried over
    the shoulder. The portable console received the CE Mark for commercial
    sale in European Community countries in February 1995. In July 1995, the
    FDA approved the beginning of Phase I clinical trials of the HeartPak
    portable pneumatic driver. The HeartPak is currently in Phase I clinical
    trials in the U.S. Phase I of the study is evaluating the safety of the
    system in the hospital; Phase II will evaluate the system in the home
    environment.

        Electric LVAS. The Company has also developed an electric LVAS that
    uses the HeartMate blood pump driven by an internal electric motor
    mounted in the blood pump housing. The system is connected to its
    external battery pack by wires that exit the body. Since the power source
    and control elements are worn on a battery belt, the system allows the
    patient complete mobility. In August 1995, the electric LVAS was awarded
    the CE Mark, allowing commercial sale of this system in all European
    Community countries. The electric system is used as a bridge to
    transplant in the United States and Europe, and is also implanted as an
    alternative to heart transplant in Europe. The electric LVAS may not be
    sold commercially in the United States until it has received approval
    from the FDA. The electric LVAS is currently being used in the United
    States in clinical trials for patients awaiting heart transplants. In
    June 1997, the Company submitted a PMA supplemental application to
    receive FDA approval of the electric LVAS as a bridge to transplant. This
    application is currently under review; however, no assurance can be given
    that the FDA will review this application on a timely basis or will grant
    approval once it completes its review.

                                        7PAGE
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        During 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Company derived revenues of $25.0
    million, $30.0 million, and $20.6 million, respectively, from its LVAS.

        Blood-testing Equipment and Skin-incision Devices. The Company's
    International Technidyne subsidiary manufacturers and supplies
    whole-blood coagulation testing equipment and related disposables, as
    well as skin-incision devices. International Technidyne's product lines
    offer whole-blood coagulation systems for bedside anticoagulation
    management, coagulation screening, and transfusion management. Each
    analyzes small blood samples, then processes and quickly displays
    comprehensive patient homeostasis information. Blood management of this
    type is essential as the number of invasive medical procedures, such as
    cardiopulmonary bypass surgery and angioplasty, increase. The ProTime(R)
    Microcoagulation System is designed to allow long-term oral anticoagulant
    patient self-testing. International Technidyne also manufactures a family
    of single-use skin-incision devices for drawing blood from adults,
    children, and infants. 

        Medical-grade Polymers and Enteral Nutrition-delivery Systems. The
    Company's research relating principally to the development of its LVAS
    has resulted in the development of proprietary medical-grade plastics
    marketed under the names Tecoflex(R) and Tecothane(R). Tecoflex and
    Tecothane are thermoplastic polyurethanes used in medical disposables and
    industrial products. The Company sells Tecoflex and Tecothane in bulk
    form for fabrication by the customer, and the Company also extrudes
    precision tubing to customer specifications.

        In 1993, the Company introduced Scent Seal fragrance samplers, which
    were developed from the Company's polymer technology. Scent Seal
    fragrance samplers are used to hermetically seal a fragrance rendition in
    perfume advertisements for magazines, and are an alternative to commonly
    used fragrance strips. In June 1995, Thermedics entered into an agreement
    granting Arcade, Inc., the leading manufacturer of scent-sampling
    products, an exclusive, worldwide license to manufacture and distribute
    the Company's fragrance samplers under Thermedics' patents and know-how.
    Under the license agreement, Arcade pays royalties to Thermedics on
    licensed fragrance samplers sold by Arcade, and Thermedics continues to
    provide the polymer gels needed to produce the fragrance samplers. 

        The Company's Corpak Inc. subsidiary designs, manufactures, and
    markets enteral feeding systems that introduce special nutritional
    solutions into the stomach or the small intestine through tubes entering
    the nose or stomach. Enteral therapy is used for patients who are unable
    to feed themselves but who do not require parenteral (intravenous)
    feeding. Corpak's products include bags for nutritional fluids, delivery
    pumps, associated pump sets that hook up to the pumps, and feeding tubes.
    In addition, Corpak markets a range of enteral feeding supplements.

        (ii) and (xi) New Products; Research and Development

        The Company maintains research and development capability to support
    its existing products and to develop new products. A number of programs
    are underway, funded by the Company solely or jointly with an outside

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    source. These programs include development of new products to perform
    substantially all or part of the pumping function of the left ventricle
    of the natural heart, process detection and security instruments,
    electronic test instruments, and high voltage power supply products. The
    Company also develops new grades of polymers to meet specific customer
    requirements for industrial and medical applications.

        During 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Company expended $24,270,000,
    $21,363,000, and $14,874,000, respectively, on internally sponsored
    research and development programs, and $2,890,000, $1,410,000, and
    $3,125,000, respectively, on research and development programs sponsored
    by others. As of January 3, 1998, 213 professional employees were engaged
    full-time in research and development activities.

        (iii) Raw Materials

        Certain raw materials used in the manufacture of the Company's LVAS
    are available from only one or two suppliers. The Company is making
    efforts to minimize the risks associated with sole sources and ensure
    long-term availability, including qualifying alternative materials and
    components or developing alternative sources for the materials and
    components supplied by a single source. Although the Company believes
    that it has adequate supplies of materials and components to meet demand
    for the LVAS for the foreseeable future, no assurance can be given that
    the Company will not experience shortages of certain materials or
    components in the future that could delay shipments of the LVAS.

        The cost to the Company to evaluate and test alternative materials
    and components and the time necessary to obtain FDA approval for these
    materials and components are inherently difficult to determine because
    both time and cost are dependent on at least two factors: the similarity
    of the alternative material or component to the original material or
    component, and the amount of third-party testing that may have already
    been completed on alternative materials or components. There can be no
    assurance that the substitution of alternative materials or components
    will not cause delays in the Company's LVAS development program or
    adversely affect the Company's ability to manufacture and ship LVAS to
    meet demand.

        (iv) Patents, Licenses, and Trademarks

        The Company considers its intellectual property important in the
    operation and growth of its business, and its policy is to protect this
    property through patents, license and confidentiality agreements,
    trademarks, and trade secret protection. The Company applies for and
    maintains patents in the U.S. and in foreign countries, particularly in
    the areas of biomedical materials, medical products, and analytical
    instruments. Although some of these patent rights may provide the Company
    with a competitive advantage, the Company primarily relies on its
    know-how and trade secrets. In addition, there can be no assurance that
    third parties will not assert claims against the Company that the Company
    infringes the intellectual property rights of such parties. The Company
    could incur substantial costs and diversion of management resources with

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    respect to the defense of any such claims, which could have a material
    adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, and
    results of operations. Furthermore, parties making such claims could
    secure a judgment awarding substantial damages, as well as injunctive or
    other equitable relief, which could effectively block the Company's
    ability to make, use, sell, distribute, or market its products and
    services in the U.S. or abroad. In the event that a claim relating to
    intellectual property is asserted against the Company, the Company may
    seek licenses to such intellectual property. There can be no assurance,
    however, that such licenses could be obtained on commercially reasonable
    terms, if at all. The failure to obtain the necessary licenses or other
    rights could preclude the sale, manufacture, or distribution of the
    Company's products and, therefore, could have a material adverse effect
    on the Company's business, financial condition, and results of
    operations. Thermo Cardiosystems has received correspondence from a third
    party alleging that the textured surface of the LVAS housing infringes
    certain patent rights of such third party. The third party has offered
    Thermo Cardiosystems a license, which Thermo Cardiosystems has elected
    not to accept. Although Thermo Cardiosystems believes that it has
    meritorious defenses to the claims of the third party, due to the
    inherent uncertainty of litigation, no assurance can be made that Thermo
    Cardiosystems would be successful if any litigation were to begin.

        The Company also has certain licenses to the technology resulting
    from its customer-sponsored development of the Alexus system. The
    Company's patents and agreements have varying lives ranging from one year
    to approximately twenty years, and the Company does not believe that the
    expiration or termination of any one of these patents or agreements would
    materially affect the Company's business.

        (v) Seasonal Influences

        There are no significant seasonal influences on the Company's sales
    of its products.

        (vi) Working Capital Requirements

        There are no special inventory requirements or credit terms extended
    to customers that would have a material adverse effect on the Company's
    working capital.

        (vii) Dependency on a Single Customer

        No customer represented 10% or more of the Company's total revenues
    in 1997, 1996, and 1995.


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        (viii) Backlog

        The Company's backlog of firm orders at year-end 1997 and 1996 was as
    follows:

    (In thousands)                                           1997      1996
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Instruments and Other Equipment                       $32,735   $39,000
    Biomedical Products                                     3,847     2,729
                                                          -------   -------
                                                          $36,582   $41,729
                                                          =======   =======

        Certain of these orders are cancellable by the customer upon payment
    of a cancellation charge. The Company anticipates that substantially all
    of the backlog at the end of 1997 will be shipped or completed during
    1998. The Company does not believe the size of its backlog is necessarily
    indicative of intermediate or long-term trends in its business.

        (ix) Government Contracts

        Not applicable.

        (x) Competition

    Instruments and Other Equipment

        Precision-weighing and Inspection Equipment. The Company's Thermo
    Sentron subsidiary encounters and expects to continue to encounter
    intense competition in the sale of its products. Thermo Sentron's
    principal competitors in the packaged-goods market are Ishida Scales Mfg.
    Co., Ltd. and Mettler-Toledo AG. In the more fragmented bulk-materials
    market, Thermo Sentron competes on a worldwide basis primarily with Carl
    Schenck AG and Milltronics Corporation. Thermo Sentron believes that the
    principal competitive pressures affecting the market for
    precision-weighing and inspection equipment include customer service and
    support, quality and reliability, price, accuracy, ease of use,
    distribution channels, technical features, compatibility with customers'
    manufacturing processes, and regulatory approvals.

        Laboratory Products. The Company's Orion division competes with
    several international companies. The Company competes on the basis of
    performance, service, technology, and price.

        Process Detection Instruments. The Company's process detection
    instruments compete with systems manufactured by numerous companies. The
    Company believes that these companies are generally focused on particular
    niches in the process detection systems market, only in some of which
    does the Company compete. Competition in the markets for each of the
    Company's process detection systems is based primarily on performance,
    durability, service and, to a lesser extent, price. The Company believes
    that its systems' performance and speed, as well as the Company's
    reputation for developing superior new technologies and for the
    innovative application of existing technologies to a variety of

                                       11PAGE
<PAGE>
    high-speed production environments and product quality-assurance
    problems, are competitive advantages.

        Security Instruments. In the explosives-detection market, the Company
    competes with a small number of companies, including other makers of
    chemical trace-detection instruments, and, to a lesser degree, makers of
    enhanced X-ray detectors. Competition in this market is based primarily
    on performance, including speed, accuracy, and the range of explosives
    that can be detected; ease of use; service; and price. The Company's
    principal competitor in the trace detection market is Barringer
    Technologies Inc., a Canadian firm that has placed several trace
    detectors in airport applications. 

        Test Instruments and Power Products. The Company is a leading
    supplier of EMC testing equipment. There are numerous companies worldwide
    that independently manufacture and market pulsed EMC test equipment for
    electronic products, and several more that independently manufacture and
    market component-reliability test equipment. In the market for RF power
    amplifiers and programmable power amplifiers, the Company competes with
    several companies worldwide.  In the market for high-voltage power supply
    systems of the general type manufactured and marketed by the Company, the
    Company competes with numerous companies for both contract and commercial
    sales. The Company competes in these markets primarily on the basis of
    performance, technical expertise, reputation, and price. Substantially
    all of the Company's contract and commercial revenues are subject to
    intense competitive bidding. Some of the Company's competitors have
    substantially greater financial resources than those of the Company.

    Biomedical Products

        Left Ventricular-assist Systems. The Company is aware of one other
    company that has submitted a PMA application with the FDA for an
    implantable LVAS. The Company is unaware whether this PMA application has
    been accepted for filing by the FDA. Also, the Company is aware of one
    other company that has received approval by the FDA Advisory Panel on
    Circulatory System Devices and subsequent commercial approval for its
    cardiac-assist device. This is an external device, positioned on the
    outside of the patient's chest, and is intended for short-term use in the
    hospital environment. In addition, the Company is aware that a total
    artificial heart is currently undergoing clinical trials. The requirement
    of obtaining FDA approval for commercial sale of an LVAS in the United
    States is a significant barrier to entry into the United States market
    for these devices. There can be no assurance, however, that FDA
    regulations will not change in the future, reducing the time and testing
    required for others to obtain FDA approval for commercial sale. In
    addition, other research groups and companies, some that have
    significantly greater resources than those of the Company, are developing
    cardiac systems using alternative technologies or concepts, one or more
    of which might prove functionally equivalent to, or more suitable than,
    the Company's systems. Among products that have been approved for
    commercial sale, the Company competes primarily on the basis of
    performance, service capability, and price. Competition in the market for
    medical devices is also significantly affected by the reimbursement

                                       12PAGE
<PAGE>
    policies of government and private insurers. Any product for which
    reimbursement is not available from such third-party payers will be at a
    significant competitive disadvantage.

        Blood-testing Equipment and Skin-incision Devices. International
    Technidyne's principal competitor in the market for coagulation
    monitoring instruments such as HEMOCHRON is the HemoTec division of
    Medtronic, which manufactures a whole-blood ACT instrument as well as the
    Hepcon Hemostatic Monitoring System. International Technidyne also
    competes with CDI, which is attempting to compete with HEMOCHRON.
    Boehringer Mannheim Corporation has developed a patient blood coagulation
    self-testing device similar to the ProTime, which is marketed to
    professionals. Boehringer Mannheim has also recently received FDA
    clearance for patient self-testing for this product. International
    Technidyne's incision devices compete with products offered by a number
    of companies, including Organon Teknika; Becton, Dickinson and Company;
    and Sherwood Medical Company. International Technidyne's products compete
    primarily on the basis of quality, reliability, price, and reputation.

        Medical-grade Polymers and Enteral Nutrition-delivery Systems. In the
    market for medical-grade polymers and enteral nutrition-delivery systems,
    the Company competes primarily with large pharmaceutical, medical-device,
    and chemical companies, many of which have substantially greater
    financial, technical, and human resources than those of the Company.
    Competition within these markets is intense, and is based primarily on
    price, efficacy, and technological advances.

        (xii) Environmental Protection Regulations

        The Company believes that compliance by the Company with federal,
    state, and local environmental protection regulations will not have a
    material adverse effect on its capital expenditures, earnings, or
    competitive position.

        (xiii) Number of Employees

        As of January 3, 1998, the Company's Instruments and Other Equipment
    and Biomedical Products segments employed 1,313 and 563 people,
    respectively.

    (d) Financial Information about Exports by Domestic Operations and about
        Foreign Operations

        Financial information about exports by domestic operations and about
    foreign operations is summarized in Note 14 to Consolidated Financial
    Statements in the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders, which
    information is incorporated herein by reference.

                                       13PAGE
<PAGE>
    (e) Executive Officers of the Registrant

                                     Present Title (Year First Became
        Name                   Age   Executive Officer)
        --------------------   ---   ---------------------------------------
        John T. Keiser         62    President (1998)
        Victor L. Poirier      56    Senior Vice President (1983)
        John N. Hatsopoulos*   63    Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
                                       President (1983)
        David H. Fine          55    Vice President (1993)
        Paul F. Kelleher       55    Chief Accounting Officer (1985)

        ----------
        *John N. Hatsopoulos and George N. Hatsopoulos, a director of the
         Company, are brothers.

        Each executive officer serves until his successor is chosen or
    appointed and qualified, or until earlier resignation, death, or removal.
    All executive officers have held comparable positions for at least five
    years, either with the Company or with its parent company, Thermo
    Electron. Mr. Keiser was appointed senior vice president of the Company
    in 1994. At the same time he was named president of Thermo Biomedical, a
    newly created subsidiary of Thermo Electron, and named President of the
    Company in March 1998. From 1985 until 1994, Mr. Keiser was President of
    the Eberline Instrument division of Thermo Instrument Systems Inc., a
    majority-owned public subsidiary of Thermo Electron. Dr. Fine is a
    full-time employees of the Company. Messrs. Hatsopoulos and Kelleher are
    full-time employees of Thermo Electron, and Mr. Poirier is a full-time
    employee of Thermo Cardiosystems, but they devote such time to the
    affairs of the Company as the Company's needs reasonably require.

    Item 2. Properties

        The Company believes that its facilities are in good condition and
    are adequate to meet its current needs and that other suitable space is
    readily available if any leases are not extended. The location and
    general character of the Company's properties by industry segment as of
    January 3, 1998, are as follows:

    Instruments and Other Equipment

        The Company owns approximately 81,200 square feet of office,
    engineering, laboratory, and production space primarily in New York,
    England, and Scotland, and leases approximately 607,000 square feet of
    office, engineering, laboratory, and production space principally in
    Minnesota, Massachusetts, California, Washington, Florida, Puerto Rico,
    Mexico, Italy, The Netherlands, Australia, Germany, Spain, South Africa,
    and the United Kingdom, under leases expiring from 1998 through 2010.

                                       14PAGE
<PAGE>
    Biomedical Products

        The Company owns approximately 66,000 square feet of office,
    engineering, laboratory, and production space in New Jersey and leases
    approximately 195,000 square feet of office, engineering, laboratory, and
    production space in Illinois and Massachusetts, under leases expiring in
    1998 through 2004.


    Item 3. Legal Proceedings

        Not applicable.

    Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

        Not applicable.

                                       15PAGE
<PAGE>
                                     PART II

   Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
           Matters

       Information concerning the market and market price for the
   Registrant's Common Stock, $.10 par value, and dividend policy are
   included under the sections labeled "Common Stock Market Information" and
   "Dividend Policy" in the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders
   and is incorporated herein by reference.


   Item 6. Selected Financial Data

       Information concerning the Registrant's selected financial data is
   included under the sections labeled "Selected Financial Information" and
   "Dividend Policy" in the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders
   and is incorporated herein by reference.

   Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
           Results of Operations

       The information required under this item is included under the
   heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
   Results of Operations" in the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to
   Shareholders and is incorporated herein by reference.


   Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

       The Registrant's Consolidated Financial Statements as of January 3,
   1998, are included in the Registrant's 1997 Annual Report to Shareholders
   and are incorporated herein by reference.

   Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Public Accountants on
           Accounting and Financial Disclosure

       Not applicable.

                                       16PAGE
<PAGE>
                                    PART III

    Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

        The information concerning directors required under this item is
    incorporated herein by reference from the material contained under the
    caption "Election of Directors" in the Registrant's definitive proxy
    statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
    pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after the close of
    the fiscal year. The information concerning delinquent filers pursuant to
    Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated herein by reference from the
    material contained under the heading "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
    Reporting Compliance" under the caption "Stock Ownership" in the
    Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Securities
    and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120
    days after the close of the fiscal year.


    Item 11. Executive Compensation

        The information required under this item is incorporated herein by
    reference from the material contained under the caption "Executive
    Compensation" in the Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed
    with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A,
    not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.


    Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

        The information required under this item is incorporated herein by
    reference from the material contained under the caption "Stock Ownership"
    in the Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the
    Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later
    than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.


    Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

        The information required under this item is incorporated herein by
    reference from the material contained under the caption "Relationship
    with Affiliates" in the Registrant's definitive proxy statement to be
    filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation
    14A, not later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year.

                                       17PAGE
<PAGE>
                                     PART IV

    Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

       (a,d) Financial Statements and Schedules.

             (1)The consolidated financial statements set forth in the list
                below are filed as part of this Report.

             (2)The consolidated financial statement schedule set forth in
                the list below is filed as part of this Report.

             (3)Exhibits filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference
                are set forth in Item 14(c) below.

             List of Financial Statements and Schedules Referenced in this
             Item 14

             Information incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13 filed
             herewith:

                Consolidated Statement of Income
                Consolidated Balance Sheet
                Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
                Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment
                Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
                Report of Independent Public Accountants

             Financial Statement Schedules filed herewith:

                Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

             All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable
             or not required, or because the required information is shown
             either in the financial statements or in the notes thereto.

         (b) Reports on Form 8-K

             None.

         (c) Exhibits

             See Exhibit Index on the page immediately preceding exhibits.

                                       18PAGE
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
    Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be
    signed by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

    Date: March 18, 1998            THERMEDICS INC.

                                    By: John T. Keiser
                                        ------------------------------
                                        John T. Keiser
                                        President

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
    this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of
    the Registrant and in the capacities indicated, as of March 18, 1998.

    Signature                       Title
    ---------                       -----
    By: John T. Keiser          President and Director
        -------------------------
        John T. Keiser

    By: John N. Hatsopoulos     Chief Financial Officer, Senior Vice
        -------------------------
        John N. Hatsopoulos            President, and Director

    By: Paul F. Kelleher        Chief Accounting Officer
        -------------------------
        Paul F. Kelleher

    By: Peter O. Crisp          Director
        -------------------------
        Peter O. Crisp

    By: Paul F. Ferrari         Director
        -------------------------
        Paul F. Ferrari

    By: George N. Hatsopoulos   Director
        -------------------------
        George N. Hatsopoulos

    By: John W. Wood Jr.        Chairman of the Board and Director
        -------------------------
        John W. Wood Jr.              

    By: Nicholas T. Zervas      Director
        -------------------------
        Nicholas T. Zervas
                                       19PAGE
<PAGE>
                    Report of Independent Public Accountants

    To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Thermedics Inc.:

        We have audited, in accordance with generally accepted auditing
    standards, the consolidated financial statements included in Thermedics
    Inc.'s Annual Report to Shareholders incorporated by reference in this
    Form 10-K, and have issued our report thereon dated February 12, 1998.
    Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on those
    statements taken as a whole. The schedule listed in Item 14 on page 18 is
    the responsibility of the Company's management and is presented for
    purposes of complying with the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules
    and is not part of the basic consolidated financial statements. The
    schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the
    audits of the basic consolidated financial statements and, in our
    opinion, fairly states in all material respects the consolidated
    financial data required to be set forth therein in relation to the basic
    consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.



                                            Arthur Andersen LLP



    Boston, Massachusetts
    February 12, 1998


                                       20PAGE
<PAGE>
  SCHEDULE II

                                 THERMEDICS INC.
                        Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

                                 (In thousands)


               Balance at   Provision             Accounts             Balance
                Beginning     Charged   Accounts   Written              at End
  Description     of Year  to Expense  Recovered       Off  Other (a)  of Year
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Allowance for
   Doubtful Accounts

  Year Ended
   Jan. 3, 1998   $ 4,903    $   815     $     -   $(1,406)  $  (105)  $ 4,207

  Year Ended
   Dec. 28, 1996  $ 4,244    $ 1,352     $   206   $(1,048)  $   149   $ 4,903

  Year Ended
   Dec. 30, 1995  $ 3,908    $   689     $     2   $  (720)  $   365   $ 4,244

  ---------------
  (a) Includes allowance of businesses acquired during the year as described
      in Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Registrant's 1997
      Annual Report to Shareholders and the effect of foreign currency
      translation.

                                       21PAGE
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit
    Number    Description of Exhibit
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      2.1     Asset and Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 28,
              1994, between Thermo Electron and Baker Hughes
              Incorporated (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Registrant's
              Current Report on Form 8-K relating to events occurring on
              March 16, 1994 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein
              by reference).

      2.2     Assignment and Assumption Agreement dated March 16, 1994,
              among Thermo Electron, the Registrant, and Thermo
              Instrument Systems Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the
              Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K relating to events
              occurring on March 16, 1994 [File No. 1-9567] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

      2.3     Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of November 29,
              1995, by and among the Registrant, ATI Merger Corp.,
              Analytical Technology, Inc., and, for certain limited
              purposes, Thermo Instrument Systems Inc. (filed as Exhibit
              2 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K relating
              to events occurring on November 29, 1995 [File No. 1-9567]
              and incorporated herein by reference).

      2.4     Asset and Share Purchase Agreement dated as of November
              29, 1995, by and among Thermo Instrument Systems Inc., ATI
              Acquisition Corp., Analytical Technology, Inc., and, for
              certain limited purposes, the Registrant (filed as Exhibit
              10(a) to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K
              relating to events occurring on November 29, 1995 [File
              No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

      2.5     Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of January 25, 1996,
              among Thermedics Detection Limited, Moisture Systems
              Corporation, Moisture Systems Limited, and Anacon
              Corporation (filed as Exhibit 2.5 to the Registrant's
              Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
              December 30, 1995 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated
              herein by reference). Schedules to this Agreement have
              been omitted pursuant to Rule 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.
              The Registrant hereby undertakes to furnish supplementally
              a copy of any omitted schedule to the Commission upon
              request.

      2.6     Agreement and Plan of Reorganization among Thermo
              Cardiosystems Inc., ITC Acquisition Corp., Thermo Electron
              Corporation, ITC Holdings Inc., and International
              Technidyne Corporation dated as of May 2, 1997 (filed as
              Exhibit 2.1 to Thermo Cardiosystems' Quarterly Report on
              Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 1997 [File
              No. 1-10114] and incorporated herein by reference).

                                       22PAGE
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit
    Number    Description of Exhibit
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3.1     Articles of Organization (filed as Exhibit 3(a) to the
              Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1988 [File No. 1-9567] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

      3.2     Amendment to Articles of Organization dated October 25,
              1993 (filed as Exhibit 3(c) to the Registrant's Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October
              2, 1993 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by
              reference).

      3.3     Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the
              Registrant (filed as Exhibit 3(i) to the Registrant's
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
              June 29, 1996 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by
              reference).

      3.4     Amended and Restated By-laws of the Registrant (filed as
              Exhibit 3(c) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
              10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 28, 1992 [File No.
              1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

      4.1     Fiscal Agency Agreement dated January 5, 1994, among
              Thermo Cardiosystems, Thermo Electron, and Chemical Bank
              (filed as Exhibit 4.11 to Thermo Cardiosystems' Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1,
              1994 [File No. 1-10114] and incorporated herein by
              reference).

      4.2     Fiscal Agency Agreement dated November 19, 1993, among
              Thermo Voltek, Thermo Electron, and Chemical Bank (filed
              as Exhibit 4.3 to Thermo Voltek's Annual Report on Form
              10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1994 [File No.
              1-10574] and incorporated herein by reference).

      4.3     Fiscal Agency Agreement dated as of June 3, 1996, among
              Thermedics, Thermo Electron, and Chemical Bank, as fiscal
              agent (filed as Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended June 29,
              1996 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by
              reference).

      4.4     Guarantee Reimbursement Agreement dated February 7, 1994,
              among Thermo Cardiosystems, Thermo Voltek, the Registrant,
              and Thermo Electron (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the
              Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended January 1, 1994 [File No. 1-9567] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

                                       23PAGE
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit
    Number    Description of Exhibit
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
      4.5     Fiscal Agency Agreement dated as of May 14, 1997, among
              Thermo Cardiosystems Inc., Thermo Electron Corporation,
              and Bankers Trust Company as fiscal agent relating to
              $70 million principal amount of 4 3/4% Convertible
              Subordinated Debentures due 2004 (filed as Exhibit 4 to
              Thermo Cardiosystems' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
              the quarter ended June 28, 1997 [File No. 1-10114] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

              The Registrant hereby agrees, pursuant to Item
              601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, to furnish to the
              Commission upon request, a copy of each other instrument
              with respect to other long-term debt of the Company or its
              subsidiaries.

     10.1     Amended and Restated Corporate Services Agreement between
              Thermo Electron and the Registrant dated as of January 3,
              1993 (filed as Exhibit 10(a) to the Registrant's Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2,
              1993 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by
              reference).

     10.2     Lease dated November 1983 between WGO Limited Partnership,
              as Lessor and the Registrant, as Lessee (filed as Exhibit
              10(l) to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form
              S-1 [Reg. No. 2-96962] and incorporated herein by
              reference; amendments thereto filed as Exhibit 10(l) to
              the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended December 31, 1988 [File No. 1-9567] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

     10.3     Thermo Electron Corporate Charter as amended and restated
              effective January 3, 1993 (filed as Exhibit 10(h) to the
              Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended January 2, 1993 [File No. 1-9567] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

     10.4     Lease dated August 25, 1978, between National Boulevard
              Bank of Chicago and Walpak Company (filed as Exhibit 10(p)
              to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
              fiscal year ended December 31, 1988 [File No. 1-9567] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

     10.5     Exclusive Base Technology License Agreement between Thermo
              Electron and the Registrant dated January 8, 1988 (filed
              as Exhibit 10(q) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
              Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 1988 [File
              No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

                                       24PAGE
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit
    Number    Description of Exhibit
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.6     Research and Development Contract between Thermo Electron
              and the Registrant dated January 8, 1988 (filed as Exhibit
              10(r) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
              for the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 1988 [File No.
              1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

     10.7     Exclusive License and Marketing Agreement between Thermo
              Electron and the Registrant dated January 8, 1988 (filed
              as Exhibit 10(s) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
              Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended April 2, 1988 [File
              No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

     10.8     Intellectual Property Cross-license Agreement between the
              Registrant and Thermo Cardiosystems (filed as Exhibit
              10(i) to Thermo Cardiosystems' Registration Statement on
              Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-25144] and incorporated herein by
              reference).

     10.9     Amendment No. 1 dated March 29, 1991, to Exclusive License
              and Marketing Agreement between the Registrant and Thermo
              Electron (filed as Exhibit 10(r) to the Registrant's
              Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended
              March 30, 1991 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein
              by reference).

     10.10    Management Agreement by and between Thermo Electron and
              the Registrant dated November 15, 1991 (filed as Exhibit
              10(t) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
              the fiscal year ended December 28, 1991 [File No. 1-9567]
              and incorporated herein by reference).

     10.11    Agreement dated May 26, 1993, between Thermo Cardiosystems
              and The Polymer Technology Group, Incorporated (filed as
              Exhibit 10(nn) to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on
              Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended July 3, 1993 [File
              No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

     10.12    Amended and Restated Master Repurchase Agreement dated as
              of July 2, 1996, between the Registrant and Thermo
              Electron (filed as Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant's
              Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
              December 28, 1996 [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated
              herein by reference).

     10.13    $38,000,000 Promissory Note dated as of December 11, 1995,
              issued by the Registrant to Thermo Electron (filed as
              Exhibit 10(b) to the Registrant's Current Report on Form
              8-K relating to events occurring on November 29, 1995
              [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

                                       25PAGE
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit
    Number    Description of Exhibit
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.14    $15,000,000 Promissory Note dated as of February 13, 1996,
              issued by the Company to Thermo Electron (filed as Exhibit
              10 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
              the fiscal quarter ended March 30, 1996 [File No. 1-9567]
              and incorporated herein by reference).

    10.15-17  Reserved.

     10.18    Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Registrant (filed as
              Exhibit 10(d) to the Registrant's Registration Statement
              on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-84380] and incorporated herein by
              reference). (Maximum number of shares issuable in the
              aggregate under this plan and the Registrant's
              Nonqualified Stock Option Plan is 1,931,923 shares, after
              adjustment to reflect share increases approved in 1986 and
              1992, 5-for-4 stock split effected in January 1985,
              4-for-3 stock split effected in September 1985, and
              3-for-2 stock splits effected in October 1986 and November
              1993.)

     10.19    Nonqualified Stock Option Plan of the Registrant (filed as
              Exhibit 10(e) to the Registrant's Registration Statement
              on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-84380] and incorporated herein by
              reference). (Maximum number of shares issuable in the
              aggregate under this plan and the Registrant's Incentive
              Stock Option Plan is 1,931,923 shares, after adjustment to
              reflect share increases approved in 1986 and 1992, 5-for-4
              stock split effected in January 1985, 4-for-3 stock split
              effected in September 1985, and 3-for-2 stock splits
              effected in October 1986 and November 1993.)

     10.20    Equity Incentive Plan of the Registrant (filed as Appendix
              A to the Proxy Statement dated May 10, 1993, of the
              Registrant [File No. 1-9567] and incorporated herein by
              reference). (Maximum number of shares issuable is
              1,500,000 shares, after adjustment to reflect 3-for-2
              stock split effected in November 1993.)

     10.21    Thermedics Inc. - Thermedics Detection Inc. Nonqualified
              Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.20 to Thermo
              Electron's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
              ended January 2, 1993 [File No. 1-8002] and incorporated
              herein by reference).

     10.22    Thermedics Inc. - Thermo Sentron Inc. Nonqualified Stock
              Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.51 to Thermo
              Cardiosystems' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
              year ended December 30, 1995 [File No. 1-10114] and
              incorporated herein by reference).

                                       26PAGE
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit
    Number    Description of Exhibit
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     10.23    Thermedics Inc. - Thermo Cardiosystems Inc. Nonqualified
              Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 4(b) to Thermo
              Cardiosystems' Registration Statement on Form S-8 [Reg.
              No. 33-45282] and incorporated herein by reference).

     10.24    Thermedics Inc. - Thermo Voltek Corp. Nonqualified Stock
              Option Plan.

     10.25    Directors Stock Option Plan of the Registrant (filed as
              Exhibit 10.20 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form
              10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1994 [File No.
              1-9567] and incorporated herein by reference).

     10.26    Deferred Compensation Plan for Directors of the Registrant
              (filed as Exhibit 10(g) to the Registrant's Registration
              Statement on Form S-1 [Reg. No. 33-96962] and incorporated
              herein by reference).

              In addition to the stock-based compensation plans of the
              Registrant, the executive officers of the Registrant may
              be granted awards under stock-based compensation plans of
              Thermo Electron for services rendered to the Registrant or
              to such affiliated corporations. The terms of such plans
              are substantially the same as those of the Registrant's
              Equity Incentive Plan.

     10.27    Restated Stock Holdings Assistance Plan and Form of
              Promissory Note.

     10.28    Amended and Restated Master Guarantee Reimbursement and
              Loan Agreement, dated December 10, 1997, between Thermo
              Electron and the Registrant.

     13       Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended January
              3, 1998 (only those portions incorporated herein by
              reference).

     21       Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

     23       Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

     27.1     Financial Data Schedule for the year ended January 3,
              1998.

     27.2     Financial Data Schedule for the year ended December 30,
              1995 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128 and the
              acquisition of International Technidyne Corporation).

     27.3     Financial Data Schedule for the quarter ended March 29,
              1996 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128 and the
              acquisition of International Technidyne Corporation).

                                       27PAGE
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

    Exhibit
    Number    Description of Exhibit
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     27.4     Financial Data Schedule for the quarter ended June 28,
              1996 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128 and the
              acquisition of International Technidyne Corporation).

     27.5     Financial Data Schedule for the quarter ended September
              28, 1996 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128 and
              the acquisition of International Technidyne Corporation).

     27.6     Financial Data Schedule for the year ended December 28,
              1996 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128 and the
              acquisition of International Technidyne Corporation).

     27.7     Financial Data Schedule for the quarter ended March 29,
              1997 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128).

     27.8     Financial Data Schedule for the quarter ended June 28,
              1997 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128).

     27.9     Financial Data Schedule for the quarter ended September
              27, 1997 (restated for the adoption of SFAS No. 128).





                                                        Exhibit 10.24
                                 THERMEDICS INC.

               THERMO VOLTEK CORP.  NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN


        1.   Purpose
             -------

             This Nonqualified Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is intended
        to encourage  ownership of  Common Stock,  $0.01 par  value  (the
        "Common Stock"),  of  Thermo  Voltek  Corp.    ("Subsidiary"),  a
        subsidiary  of  Thermedics  Inc.   (the  "Company"),  by  persons
        selected by the Board  of Directors (or  a committee thereof)  in
        its sole discretion, including directors, executive officers, key
        employees and consultants  of the Company  and its  subsidiaries,
        and to  provide  additional incentive  for  them to  promote  the
        success of the business of the Company and Subsidiary.  The  Plan
        is intended to be a nonstatutory stock option plan.

        2.   Effective Date of the Plan
             --------------------------

             The Plan shall become effective when adopted by the Board of
        Directors of the Company.

        3.   Stock Subject to Plan
             ---------------------

             At no time shall  the number of shares  of the Common  Stock
        then outstanding  which  are  attributable  to  the  exercise  of
        options granted under  the Plan  plus the number  of shares  then
        issuable upon the exercise  of outstanding options granted  under
        the  Plan  exceed  100,000  shares,         subject
        provisions of paragraph 11 of the Plan.  Shares to be issued upon
        the exercise of options granted under the Plan shall be shares of
        Subsidiary beneficially  owned by  the Company.   If  any  option
        expires  or  terminates  for  any  reason  without  having   been
        exercised in full, the  unpurchased shares subject thereto  shall
        again be available for options thereafter to be granted.

        4.   Administration
             --------------

             The  Plan  shall  be   administered  by  a  committee   (the
        "Committee") composed of the members of the Board of Directors of
        the Company,  no  member  of  which shall  act  upon  any  matter
        exclusively affecting  any option  granted or  to be  granted  to
        himself or herself under the Plan.  Subject to the provisions  of
        the Plan, the  Committee shall  have complete  authority, in  its
        discretion, to make the following determinations with respect  to
        each option to  be granted  by the Company:   (a)  the person  to
        receive the option (the "Optionee"); (b) the time of granting the
        option; (c) the number of shares subject thereto; (d) the  option
        price; (e) the option period; and (f) the terms of the option and
        form of option agreement (which need not be identical, but  which
        shall conform to the applicable terms and conditions of the  Plan
        and contain such other provisions as the Board of Directors deems
        advisable and not inconsistent  with the Plan).   In making  such
PAGE
<PAGE>
        determinations, the Committee may take into account the nature of
        the  services  rendered  by  the  Optionees,  their  present  and
        potential contributions to the success of the Company and/or  one
        or more  of  its subsidiaries,  and  such other  factors  as  the
        Committee in its discretion shall deem relevant.  Subject to  the
        provisions of the  Plan, the Committee  shall also have  complete
        authority to interpret the Plan, to prescribe, amend, and rescind
        rules and regulations relating to it, to determine the terms  and
        provisions of the respective option agreements (which need not be
        identical), and  to make  all other  determinations necessary  or
        advisable for the  administration of the  Plan.  The  Committee's
        determinations on the  matters referred  to in  this paragraph  4
        shall be conclusive.

        5.   Eligibility
             -----------

             An option  may be  granted  to any  person selected  by  the
        Committee in its sole discretion.

        6.   Time of Granting Options
             ------------------------

             The granting  of an  option  shall take  place at  the  time
        specified by the Committee.  Only if expressly so provided by the
        Committee shall the granting of  an option be regarded as  taking
        place at the time when a written option agreement shall have been
        duly executed and delivered  by or on behalf  of the Company  and
        the Optionee to whom such option shall be granted.  The agreement
        shall provide, among other things,  that it does not confer  upon
        an Optionee any right  to continue in the  employ of the  Company
        and/or one  or more  of  its subsidiaries  or  to continue  as  a
        director or  consultant of  the  Company, and  that it  does  not
        interfere in any way  with the right of  the Company or any  such
        subsidiary to terminate  the employment  of the  Optionee at  any
        time if the Optionee is an employee, to remove the Optionee as  a
        director of the  Company if  the Optionee  is a  director, or  to
        terminate the  services of  the  Optionee if  the Optionee  is  a
        consultant.

        7.   Option Period
             -------------

             An option  may become  exercisable  immediately or  in  such
        installments, cumulative or noncumulative,  as the Committee  may
        determine.  

        8.   Exercise of Option
             ------------------

             An option may be exercised  in accordance with its terms  by
        written notice of intent to  exercise the option, specifying  the
        number of shares  of stock with  respect to which  the option  is
        then being exercised.  The notice shall be accompanied by payment
        in the form  of cash or  shares of Subsidiary  Common Stock  (the
        "Tendered Shares") with a then current market value equal to  the
        option price of  the shares to  be purchased; provided,  however,
        that such  Tendered  Shares  shall  have  been  acquired  by  the
PAGE
<PAGE>
        Optionee more  than six  months prior  to the  date of  exercise,
        unless such  requirement is  waived in  writing by  the  Company.
        Against such payment  the Company  shall deliver or  cause to  be
        delivered to the Optionee a certificate for the number of  shares
        then being purchased, registered in  the name of the Optionee  or
        other person exercising  the option.   If any  law or  applicable
        regulation of  the Securities  and Exchange  Commission or  other
        body having  jurisdiction  in  the  premises  shall  require  the
        Company, Subsidiary  or  the  Optionee  to  take  any  action  in
        connection with  shares  being  purchased upon  exercise  of  the
        option, exercise of the option and delivery of the certificate or
        certificates for such shares shall be postponed until  completion
        of the necessary action,  which shall be  taken at the  Company's
        expense.

        9.   Transferability
             ---------------

             Except as may be  authorized by the  Committee , in its sole
        discretion, no  Option   may be transferred other than by will or
        the laws of  descent and  distribution, and  during a  Optionee's
        lifetime an option  requiring exercise  may be exercised  only by
        him or her (or in the event of incapacity, the person or  persons
        properly appointed to act on his or her behalf). The Committee   
        may, in its  discretion, determine  the extent  to which  options
        granted to an Optionee shall be transferable, and such provisions
        permitting or acknowledging  transfer shall be  set forth in  the
        written agreement evidencing the option executed and delivered by
        or on behalf of the Company and the Optionee.

        10.  Vesting, Restrictions and Termination of Options
             ------------------------------------------------

             The Committee,  in its  sole discretion,  may determine  the
        manner in which options shall vest, the rights of the Company  to
        repurchase the shares issued upon the exercise of any option  and
        the manner in which such rights  shall lapse, and the terms  upon
        which any option granted shall terminate.  The Board of Directors
        shall have the right  to accelerate the date  of exercise of  any
        installment  or  to  accelerate   the  lapse  of  the   Company's
        repurchase rights.   All of such  terms shall be  specified in  a
        written option agreement executed and  delivered by or on  behalf
        of the Company  and the  Optionee to  whom such  option shall  be
        granted.

        11.  Adjustment of Number of Shares
             ------------------------------

             Each stock option agreement shall provide that in the  event
        of any stock dividend payable in the Common Stock or any split-up
        or contraction  in  the number  of  shares of  the  Common  Stock
        occurring after  the  date of  the  agreement and  prior  to  the
        exercise in full of  the option, the number  of shares for  which
        the option may thereafter  be exercised shall be  proportionately
        adjusted and the price to be  paid for each share subject to  the
        option shall be  proportionately adjusted.   Each such  agreement
        shall also provide that in case of any reclassification or change
PAGE
<PAGE>
        of outstanding  shares of  the Common  Stock or  in case  of  any
        consolidation or  merger  of  Subsidiary  with  or  into  another
        company or in case of any  sale or conveyance to another  company
        or  entity  of  the  property   of  Subsidiary  as  a  whole   or
        substantially as a  whole, the Optionee  shall, upon exercise  of
        the option,  be entitled  to  receive shares  of stock  or  other
        securities in its  place equivalent  in kind and  value to  those
        shares which  he would  have  received if  he had  exercised  the
        option  in  full  immediately  prior  to  such  reclassification,
        change,  consolidation,  merger,  sale  or  conveyance  and   had
        continued to hold the shares subject to the option (together with
        all other  shares,  stock  and securities  thereafter  issued  in
        respect thereof)  to the  time  of the  exercise of  the  option;
        provided, that if any recapitalization is to be effected  through
        an increase  in the  par value  of the  Common Stock  without  an
        increase in  the number  of authorized  shares and  such new  par
        value will  exceed the  option price  under such  agreement,  the
        Company   shall   notify   the   Optionee   of   such    proposed
        recapitalization, and  the Optionee  shall then  have the  right,
        exercisable at any time  prior to such recapitalization  becoming
        effective, to purchase all  of the shares  subject to the  option
        which  he  has  not  theretofore  purchased  (anything  in   such
        agreement to the contrary  notwithstanding), but if the  Optionee
        fails to exercise such right before such recapitalization becomes
        effective,  the  option  price  under  such  agreement  shall  be
        appropriately  adjusted.    Each  such  agreement  shall  further
        provide that upon dissolution  or liquidation of Subsidiary,  the
        option shall  terminate, but  the  Optionee (if  at the  time  an
        employee or director of the Company and/or any one or more of its
        subsidiaries) shall  have the  right, immediately  prior to  such
        dissolution or liquidation,  to exercise the  option to the  full
        extent not theretofore exercised; that no adjustment provided for
        above shall apply to any share  with respect to which the  option
        has  been  exercised  prior  to   the  effective  date  of   such
        adjustment; and that no fraction of a share or fractional  shares
        shall be purchasable or deliverable under such agreement, but  in
        the event  any  adjustment thereunder  of  the number  of  shares
        covered by  the  option shall  cause  such number  to  include  a
        fraction of  a share,  such  fraction shall  be adjusted  to  the
        nearest smaller whole number of shares.  In the event of  changes
        in the outstanding Common Stock by reason of any stock  dividend,
        split-up, contraction, reclassification, or change of outstanding
        shares of the  Common Stock  of the nature  contemplated by  this
        paragraph 11, the number of shares of Common Stock available  for
        the purpose of the Plan as stated in paragraph 3 hereof shall  be
        correspondingly adjusted by the Committee.

        12.  Limitation of Rights in Option Stock
             ------------------------------------

             The Optionees  shall  have  no  rights  as  stockholders  in
        respect of shares as to which  their options shall not have  been
        exercised, certificates  issued  and  delivered  and  payment  as
        herein provided  made in  full,  and shall  have no  rights  with
        respect to such shares not expressly conferred by this Plan.
PAGE
<PAGE>
        13.  Stock Reserved
             --------------

             The Company  shall  at all  times  during the  term  of  the
        options reserve and keep available  such number of shares of  the
        Common Stock as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of
        this Plan and shall pay  all other fees and expenses  necessarily
        incurred by the Company in connection therewith.

        14.  Securities Laws Restrictions
             ----------------------------

             Each Optionee exercising  an option, at  the request of  the
        Company, will  be  required  to give  a  representation  in  form
        satisfactory  to  counsel  for  the  Company  that  he  will  not
        transfer, sell or otherwise dispose  of the shares received  upon
        exercise of  the  option  at  any time  purchased  by  him,  upon
        exercise of any portion  of the option, in  a manner which  would
        violate  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended,  and   the
        regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission  thereunder
        and the Company  may, if required  or at its  discretion, make  a
        notation on any certificates issued  upon exercise of options  to
        the effect that  such certificate may  not be transferred  except
        after  receipt  by   the  Company  of   an  opinion  of   counsel
        satisfactory to  it to  the effect  that such  transfer will  not
        violate such Act and such regulations.

        15.  Tax Withholding
             ---------------

             The Company shall have the right to deduct from payments  of
        any kind otherwise due to an Optionee any federal, state or local
        taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect  to
        any shares issued upon  exercise of options  under the Plan  (the
        "withholding requirements").  The  Committee will have the  right
        to require that the Optionee or other appropriate person remit to
        the Company  an  amount  sufficient to  satisfy  the  withholding
        requirements, or  make  other arrangements  satisfactory  to  the
        Committee with regard to such requirements, prior to the delivery
        of any Common Stock pursuant to exercise of an option.  If and to
        the extent that such withholding  is required, the Committee  may
        permit the Optionee or  such other person to  elect at such  time
        and in such manner as the Committee provides to have the  Company
        hold back from the shares to  be delivered, or to deliver to  the
        Company, Common Stock  having a value  calculated to satisfy  the
        withholding requirements.

        16.  Termination and Amendment of Plan
             ---------------------------------

             The Board of  Directors may at  any time, and  from time  to
        time, modify or amend the Plan in any respect, except that if  at
        any time  the approval  of  the Stockholders  of the  Company  is
        required as to such modification  or amendment under Rule  16b-3,
        the Board  of  Directors  may not  effect  such  modification  or
        amendment without such approval.
PAGE
<PAGE>
             The termination or any modification or amendment of the Plan
        shall not, without the consent of an Optionee, affect his or  her
        rights under an option  previously granted to him  or her.   With
        the consent of the Optionees affected, the Board of Directors may
        amend outstanding option agreements in a manner not  inconsistent
        with the Plan.   The Board of Directors  shall have the right  to
        amend or modify the terms and  provisions of the Plan and of  any
        outstanding  option  to  the  extent  necessary  to  ensure   the
        qualification of the Plan under Rule 16b-3.

             Notwithstanding any other provisions hereof, the Plan  shall
        terminate on December 31,  2008   and no options  shall be granted
        hereunder thereafter.

                                                        Exhibit 10.27
                                 THERMEDICS INC.
                                 ---------------
                     RESTATED STOCK HOLDING ASSISTANCE PLAN
                     --------------------------------------

        SECTION 1.   Purpose.

             The purpose of this Plan is to benefit Thermedics Inc. (the
        "Company") and its stockholders by encouraging Key Employees to
        acquire and maintain share ownership in the Company, by
        increasing such employees' proprietary interest in promoting the
        growth and performance of the Company and its subsidiaries and by
        providing for the implementation of the Stock Holding Policy.  

        SECTION 2.     Definitions.

             The following terms, when used in the Plan, shall have the
        meanings set forth below:

             Committee:   The Human Resources Committee of the Board of
        Directors of the Company as appointed from time to time.

             Common Stock:   The common stock of the Company and any
        successor thereto.

             Company:   Thermedics Inc., a Massachusetts corporation.

             Stock Holding Policy:   The Stock Holding Policy of the
        Company, as adopted by the Committee and as in effect from time
        to time.

             Key Employee:   Any employee of the Company or any of its
        subsidiaries, including any officer or member of the Board of
        Directors who is also an employee, as designated by the
        Committee, and who, in the judgment of the Committee, will be in
        a position to contribute significantly to the attainment of the
        Company's strategic goals and long-term growth and prosperity.

             Loans:   Loans extended to Key Employees by the Company
        pursuant to this Plan.

             Plan:   The Thermedics Inc. Stock Holding Assistance Plan,
        as amended from time to time.

        SECTION 3.     Administration.

             The Plan and the Stock Holding Policy shall be administered
        by the Committee, which shall have authority to interpret the
        Plan and the Stock Holding Policy and, subject to their
        provisions, to prescribe, amend and rescind any rules and
        regulations and to make all other determinations necessary or
        desirable for the administration thereof.  The Committee's
        interpretations and decisions with regard to the Plan and the
        Stock Holding Policy and such rules and regulations as may be
PAGE
<PAGE>
        established thereunder shall be final and conclusive.  The
        Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or
        reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or the Stock Holding
        Policy, or in any Loan in the manner and to the extent the
        Committee deems desirable to carry it into effect.  No member of
        the Committee shall be liable for any action or omission in
        connection with the Plan or the Stock Holding Policy that is made
        in good faith.

        SECTION 4.     Loans and Loan Limits.

             The Committee has determined that the provision of Loans
        from time to time to Key Employees in such amounts as to cause
        such Key Employees to comply with the Stock Holding Policy is, in
        the judgment of the Committee, reasonably expected to benefit the
        Company and authorizes the Company to extend Loans from time to
        time to Key Employees in such amounts as may be requested by such
        Key Employees in order to comply with the Stock Holding Policy.
        Such Loans may be used solely for the purpose of acquiring Common
        Stock (other than upon the exercise of stock options or under
        employee stock purchase plans) in open market transactions or
        from the Company.

             Each Loan shall be full recourse and evidenced by a
        non-interest bearing promissory note substantially in the form
        attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Note") and maturing in
        accordance with the provisions of Section 6 hereof, and
        containing such other terms and conditions, which are not
        inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan and the Stock
        Holding Policy, as the Committee shall determine in its sole and
        absolute discretion.

        SECTION 5.     Federal Income Tax Treatment of Loans.

             For federal income tax purposes, interest on Loans shall be
        imputed on any interest free Loan extended under the Plan.  A Key
        Employee shall be deemed to have paid the imputed interest to the
        Company and the Company shall be deemed to have paid said imputed
        interest back to the Key Employee as additional compensation.
        The deemed interest payment shall be taxable to the Company as
        income, and may be deductible to the Key Employee to the extent
        allowable under the rules relating to investment interest.  The
        deemed compensation payment to the Key Employee shall be taxable
        to the employee and deductible to the Company, but shall also be
        subject to employment taxes such as FICA and FUTA.

        SECTION 6.     Maturity of Loans.

             Each Loan to a Key Employee hereunder shall be due and
        payable on demand by the Company.  If no such demand is made,
        then each Loan shall mature and the principal thereof shall
        become due and payable on the fifth anniversary of the date of
        the Loan, provided that the Committee may, in its sole and
        absolute discretion, authorize such other maturity and repayment
PAGE
<PAGE>
        schedule as the Committee may determine.  Each Loan shall also
        become immediately due and payable in full, without demand, upon
         the occurrence of any of the events set forth in the Note;
        provided that the Committee may, in its sole and absolute
        discretion, authorize an extension of the time for repayment of a
        Loan upon such terms and conditions as the Committee may
        determine.

        SECTION 7.     Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

             The Committee may from time to time alter or amend the Plan
        or the Stock Holding Policy in any respect, or terminate the Plan
        or the Stock Holding Policy at any time.  No such amendment or
        termination, however, shall alter or otherwise affect the terms
        and conditions of any Loan then outstanding to Key Employee
        without such Key Employee's written consent, except as otherwise
        provided herein or in the promissory note evidencing such Loan.

        SECTION 8.     Miscellaneous Provisions.

             (a)  No employee or other person shall have any claim or
        right to receive a Loan under the Plan, and no employee shall
        have any right to be retained in the employ of the Company due to
        his or her participation in the Plan.

             (b)  No Loan shall be made hereunder unless counsel for the
        Company shall be satisfied that such Loan will be in compliance
        with applicable federal, state and local laws.

             (c)  The expenses of the Plan shall be borne by the Company.

             (d)  The Plan shall be unfunded, and the Company shall not
        be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make
        any other segregation of assets to assure the making of any Loan
        under the Plan.

             (e)  Except as otherwise provided in Section 7 hereof, by
        accepting any Loan under the Plan, each Key Employee shall be
        conclusively deemed to have indicated his acceptance and
        ratification of, and consent to, any action taken under the Plan
        or the Stock Holding Policy by the Company, the Board of
        Directors of the Company or the Committee.

             (f)  The appropriate officers of the Company shall cause to
        be filed any reports, returns or other information regarding
        Loans hereunder, as may be required by any applicable statute,
        rule or regulation.

        SECTION 9.     Effective Date.

             The Plan and the Stock Holding Policy shall become effective
        upon approval and adoption by the Committee.
PAGE
<PAGE>
                               EXHIBIT A TO STOCK HOLDING ASSISTANCE PLAN


                                 THERMEDICS INC.

                                 Promissory Note



        $_________                                                       
                                                Dated:____________


             For value  received, ________________,  an individual  whose
        residence is located at _______________________ (the "Employee"),
        hereby promises to  pay to  Thermedics Inc.  (the "Company"),  or
        assigns, ON DEMAND,  but in any  case on or  before [insert  date
        which  is  the  fifth  anniversary  of  date  of  issuance]  (the
        "Maturity Date"), the  principal sum  of [loan  amount in  words]
        ($_______), or such part thereof as then remains unpaid,  without
        interest.   Principal shall  be payable  in lawful  money of  the
        United States of America, in immediately available funds, at  the
        principal office of  the Company or  at such other  place as  the
        Company may  designate  from  time  to time  in  writing  to  the
        Employee. 

             Unless the Company has already made a demand for payment  in
        full of this Note,  the Employee agrees to  repay to the  Company
        from the Employee's annual cash incentive compensation  (referred
        to as  bonus), beginning  with the  first such  bonus payment  to
        occur after the date of  this Note and on  each of the next  four
        bonus payment dates  occurring prior to  the Maturity Date,  such
        amount as may be designated by the Company. Any amount  remaining
        unpaid under this Note shall be  due and payable on the  Maturity
        Date.

             This Note may be prepaid at  any time or from time to  time,
        in whole  or  in part,  without  any  premium or  penalty.    The
        Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company has advanced to
        the Employee the principal  amount of this  Note pursuant to  the
        Company's Stock Holding Assistance Plan,  and that all terms  and
        conditions of such Plan are incorporated herein by reference.  

             The unpaid principal amount of this Note shall be and become
        immediately due  and payable  without notice  or demand,  at  the
        option of  the  Company,  upon  the  occurrence  of  any  of  the
        following events:

                  (a)  the termination of the Employee's employment  with
             the Company, with or without cause, for any reason or for no
             reason;

                  (b)  the death or disability of the Employee;
PAGE
<PAGE>
                  (c)  the failure  of the  Employee to  pay his  or  her
             debts as they  become due, the  insolvency of the  Employee,
             the filing by or against the Employee of any petition  under
             the United  States Bankruptcy  Code (or  the filing  of  any
             similar  petition   under   the  insolvency   law   of   any
             jurisdiction),  or  the  making   by  the  Employee  of   an
             assignment or trust mortgage for the benefit of creditors or
             the appointment of  a receiver, custodian  or similar  agent
             with respect  to,  or  the  taking by  any  such  person  of
             possession of, any property of the Employee; or

                  (d)  the issuance of any writ of attachment, by trustee
             process or otherwise, or any restraining order or injunction
             not removed, repealed or  dismissed within thirty (30)  days
             of issuance, against or affecting the person or property  of
             the Employee or any liability or obligation of the  Employee
             to the Company.

             In case any payment  herein provided for  shall not be  paid
        when due,  the Employee  further  promises to  pay all  costs  of
        collection, including all reasonable attorneys' fees.

             No  delay  or  omission  on  the  part  of  the  Company  in
        exercising any right hereunder shall operate as a waiver of  such
        right or of any other right of the Company, nor shall any  delay,
        omission or waiver  on any  one occasion be  deemed a  bar to  or
        waiver of the  same or any  other right on  any future  occasion.
        The  Employee  hereby  waives  presentment,  demand,  notice   of
        prepayment,  protest  and  all  other  demands  and  notices   in
        connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or
        enforcement of this Note.  The undersigned hereby assents to  any
        indulgence  and  any  extension  of  time  for  payment  of   any
        indebtedness  evidenced  hereby  granted  or  permitted  by   the
        Company.  

             This Note  has been  made pursuant  to the  Company's  Stock
        Holding Assistance Plan and shall be governed by and construed in
        accordance  with,  such  Plan  and  the  laws  of  the  State  of
        Massachusetts and shall have the effect of a sealed instrument.


                                      _______________________________

                                      Employee Name: _________________


        ________________________
        Witness

        AA980750014


                                                                EXHIBIT 10.28
              AMENDED AND RESTATED MASTER GUARANTEE REIMBURSEMENT
                               AND LOAN AGREEMENT

             This AGREEMENT is entered into as of the 10th day of
        December, 1997 by and among Thermo Electron Corporation (the
        "Parent") and those of its subsidiaries that join in this
        Agreement by executing the signature page hereto (the "Majority
        Owned Subsidiaries").
                                   WITNESSETH:

             WHEREAS, the Majority Owned Subsidiaries and their
        wholly-owned subsidiaries wish to enter into various financial
        transactions, such as convertible or nonconvertible debt, loans,
        and equity offerings, and other contractual arrangements with
        third parties (the "Underlying Obligations") and may provide
        credit support to, on behalf of or for the benefit of, other
        subsidiaries of the Parent ("Credit Support Obligations"); 

             WHEREAS, the Majority Owned Subsidiaries and the Parent
        acknowledge that the Majority Owned Subsidiaries and their
        wholly-owned subsidiaries may be unable to enter into many kinds
        of Underlying Obligations without a guarantee of their
        performance thereunder from the Parent (a "Parent Guarantee") or
        without obtaining Credit Support Obligations from other Majority
        Owned Subsidiaries;

             WHEREAS, the Majority Owned Subsidiaries and their
        wholly-owned subsidiaries may borrow funds from the Parent, and
        the Parent may loan funds or provide credit to the Majority Owned
        Subsidiaries and their wholly-owned subsidiaries, on a short-term
        and unsecured basis;

             WHEREAS, certain Majority Owned Subsidiaries ("Second Tier
        Majority Owned Subsidiaries ") may themselves be majority owned
        subsidiaries of other Majority Owned Subsidiaries ("First Tier
        Majority Owned Subsidiaries");

             WHEREAS, for various reasons, Parent Guarantees of a Second
        Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary's Underlying Obligations may be
        demanded and given without the respective First Tier Majority
        Owned Subsidiary also issuing a guarantee of such Underlying
        Obligation; 

             WHEREAS, the Parent may itself make a loan or provide other
        credit to a Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary or its
        wholly-owned subsidiaries under circumstances where the
        applicable First Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary does not provide
        such credit; and

             WHEREAS, the Parent is willing to consider continuing to
        issue Parent Guarantees and providing credit, and the Majority
        Owned Subsidiaries are willing to consider continuing to provide
PAGE
<PAGE>
        Credit Support Obligations and to borrow funds, on the terms and
        conditions set forth below;

             NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and other
        good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of
        which are hereby acknowledged by each party hereto, the parties
        agree as follows:

        1.   If the Parent provides a Parent Guarantee of an Underlying
             Obligation, and the beneficiary(ies) of the Parent Guarantee
             enforce the Parent Guarantee, or the Parent performs under
             the Parent Guarantee for any other reason, then the Majority
             Owned Subsidiary that is obligated, either directly or
             indirectly through a wholly-owned subsidiary, under such
             Underlying Obligation shall indemnify and save harmless the
             Parent from any liability, cost, expense or damage
             (including reasonable attorneys' fees) suffered by the
             Parent as a result of the Parent Guarantee.  If the
             Underlying Obligation is issued by a Second Tier Majority
             Owned Subsidiary or a wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, and
             such Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary is unable to
             fully indemnify the Parent (because of the poor financial
             condition of such Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary, or
             for any other reason), then the First Tier Majority Owned
             Subsidiary that owns the majority of the stock of such
             Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary shall indemnify and
             save harmless the Parent from any remaining liability, cost,
             expense or damage (including reasonable attorneys' fees)
             suffered by the Parent as a result of the Parent Guarantee.
             If a Majority Owned Subsidiary or a wholly-owned subsidiary
             thereof provides a Credit Support Obligation for any
             subsidiary of the Parent, other than a subsidiary of such
             Majority Owned Subsidiary, and the beneficiary(ies) of the
             Credit Support Obligation enforce the Credit Support
             Obligation, or the Majority Owned Subsidiary or its
             wholly-owned subsidiary  performs under the Credit Support
             Obligation for any other reason, then the Parent shall
             indemnify and save harmless the Majority Owned Subsidiary or
             its wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable, from any
             liability, cost, expense or damage (including reasonable
             attorneys' fees) suffered by the Majority Owned Subsidiary
             or its wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable, as a result
             of the Credit Support Obligation.  Without limiting the
             foregoing, Credit Support Obligations include the deposit of
             funds by a Majority Owned Subsidiary or a wholly-owned
             subsidiary thereof in a credit arrangement with a banking
             facility whereby such funds are available to the banking
             facility as collateral for overdraft obligations of other
             Majority Owned Subsidiaries or their subsidiaries also
             participating in the credit arrangement with such banking
             facility.

        2.   For purposes of this Agreement, the term "guarantee" shall
             include not only a formal guarantee of an obligation, but
PAGE
<PAGE>
             also any other arrangement where the Parent is liable for
             the obligations of a Majority Owned Subsidiary or its
             wholly-owned subsidiaries.  Such other arrangements include
             (a) representations, warranties and/or covenants or other
             obligations joined in by the Parent, whether on a joint or
             joint and several basis, for the benefit of the Majority
             Owned Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiaries and (b)
             responsibility of the Parent by operation of law for the
             acts and omissions of the Majority Owned Subsidiary or its
             wholly-owned subsidiaries, including controlling person
             liability under securities and other laws.

        3.   Promptly after the Parent receives notice that a beneficiary
             of a Parent Guarantee is seeking to enforce such Parent
             Guarantee, the Parent shall notify the Majority Owned
             Subsidiary(s) obligated, either directly or indirectly
             through a wholly-owned subsidiary, under the relevant
             Underlying Obligation.  Such Majority Owned Subsidiary(s) or
             wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, as applicable, shall have
             the right, at its own expense, to contest the claim of such
             beneficiary.  If a Majority Owned Subsidiary or wholly-owned
             subsidiary thereof, as applicable, is contesting the claim
             of such beneficiary, the Parent will not perform under the
             relevant Parent Guarantee unless and until, in the Parent's
             reasonable judgment, the Parent is obligated under the terms
             of such Parent Guarantee to perform.  Subject to the
             foregoing, any dispute between a Majority Owned Subsidiary
             or wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, as applicable, and a
             beneficiary of a Parent Guarantee shall not affect such
             Majority Owned Subsidiary's obligation to promptly indemnify
             the Parent hereunder.  Promptly after a Majority Owned
             Subsidiary or wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, as
             applicable, receives notice that a beneficiary of a Credit
             Support Obligation is seeking to enforce such Credit Support
             Obligation, the Majority Owned Subsidiary shall notify the
             Parent.  The Parent shall have the right, at its own
             expense, to contest the claim of such beneficiary.  If the
             Parent or the subsidiary of the Parent on whose behalf the
             Credit Support Obligation is given is contesting the claim
             of such beneficiary, the Majority Owned Subsidiary or
             wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, as applicable, will not
             perform under the relevant Credit Support Obligation unless
             and until, in the Majority Owned Subsidiary's reasonable
             judgment, the Majority Owned Subsidiary or wholly-owned
             subsidiary thereof, as applicable, is obligated under the
             terms of such Credit Support Obligation to perform.  Subject
             to the foregoing, any dispute between the Parent or the
             subsidiary of the Parent on whose behalf the Credit Support
             Obligation was given, on the one hand, and a beneficiary of
             a Credit Support Obligation, on the other, shall not affect
             the Parent's obligation to promptly indemnify the Majority
             Owned Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiary, as
             applicable, hereunder.
PAGE
<PAGE>
        4.   Upon the request of a Majority Owned Subsidiary, the Parent
             may make loans and advances to the Majority Owned Subsidiary
             or its wholly-owned subsidiaries on a short-term, revolving
             credit basis, from time to time in such amounts as mutually
             determined by the Parent and the Majority Owned Subsidiary.
             The aggregate principal amount of such loans and advances
             shall be reflected on the books and records of the Majority
             Owned Subsidiary (or wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable)
             and the Parent.  All such loans and advances shall be on an
             unsecured basis unless specifically provided otherwise in
             loan documents executed at that time.  The Majority Owned
             Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as applicable,
             shall pay interest on the aggregate unpaid principal amount
             of such loans from time to time outstanding at a rate
             ("Interest Rate") equal to the rate of the Commercial Paper
             Composite Rate for 90-day maturities as reported by Merrill
             Lynch Capital Markets, as an average of the last five
             business days of such Majority Owned Subsidiary's latest
             fiscal quarter then ended, plus twenty-five (25) basis
             points.  The Interest Rate shall be adjusted on the first
             business day of each fiscal quarter of such Majority Owned
             Subsidiary pursuant to the Interest Rate formula contained
             in the preceding sentence and shall be in effect for the
             entirety of such fiscal quarter.  Interest shall be computed
             on a 360-day basis.  The aggregate principal amount
             outstanding and accrued interest thereon shall be payable on
             demand.  The principal and accrued interest may be paid by
             the Majority Owned Subsidiaries or their wholly-owned
             subsidiaries, as applicable, at any time or from time to
             time, in whole or in part, without premium or penalty.  All
             payments shall be applied first to accrued interest and then
             to principal.  Principal and interest shall be payable in
             lawful money of the United States of America, in immediately
             available funds, at the principal office of the Parent or at
             such other place as the Parent may designate from time to
             time in writing to the Majority Owned Subsidiary.  The
             unpaid principal amount of any such borrowings, and accrued
             interest thereon, shall become immediately due and payable,
             without demand, upon the failure of the Majority Owned
             Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable, to
             pay its debts as they become due, the insolvency of the
             Majority Owned Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiary, as
             applicable, the filing by or against the Majority Owned
             Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable, of
             any petition under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (or the filing
             of any similar petition under the insolvency law of any
             jurisdiction), or the making by the Majority Owned
             Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable, of
             an assignment or trust mortgage for the benefit of creditors
             or the appointment of a receiver, custodian or similar agent
             with respect to, or the taking by any such person of
             possession of, any property of the Majority Owned Subsidiary
             or its wholly-owned subsidiary, as applicable.  In case any
             payments of principal and interest shall not be paid when
PAGE
<PAGE>
             due, the Majority Owned Subsidiary or its wholly-owned
             subsidiary, as applicable, further promises to pay all cost
             of collection, including reasonable attorneys' fees.   

        5.   If the Parent makes a loan or provides other credit ("Credit
             Extension") to a Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary, the
             First Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary that owns the majority
             of the stock of such Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary
             hereby guarantees the Second Tier Majority Owned
             Subsidiary's obligations to the Parent thereunder.  Such
             guaranty shall be enforced only after the Parent, in its
             reasonable judgment, determines that the Second Tier
             Majority Owned Subsidiary is unable to fully perform its
             obligations under the Credit Extension.  If the Parent
             provides Credit Extension to a wholly-owned subsidiary of a
             Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary, the Second Tier
             Majority Owned Subsidiary hereby guarantees it wholly-owned
             subsidiary's obligations to the Parent thereunder and the
             First Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary that owns the majority
             of the stock of such Second Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary
             hereby guarantees the Second Tier Majority Owned
             Subsidiary's obligations to the Parent hereunder.  Such
             guaranty by the First Tier Majority Owned Subsidiary shall
             be enforced only after the Parent, in its reasonable
             judgment, determines that the Second Tier Majority Owned
             Subsidiary is unable to fully perform its guaranty
             obligation hereunder.  

        6.   All payments required to be made by a Majority Owned
             Subsidiary or its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as applicable,
             shall be made within two days after receipt of notice from
             the Parent. All payments required to be made by the Parent
             shall be made within two days after receipt of notice from
             the Majority Owned Subsidiary.  

        7.   This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
             accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
             Massachusetts applicable to contracts made and performed
             therein.
PAGE
<PAGE>
             IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement
        to be executed by their duly authorized officers as of the date
        first above written.


                                      THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION


                                      By:  _____________________________
                                           Melissa F.Riordan
                                      Title:    Treasurer


                                      THERMEDICS INC. 


                                      By:  _____________________________
                                           John W. Wood Jr.
                                      Title:    President




                                                                   Exhibit 13











                                 THERMEDICS INC.

                        Consolidated Financial Statements

                                      1997
PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                        Consolidated Statement of Income

    (In thousands except per share amounts)     1997        1996        1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Revenues (Note 14)                      $307,666    $292,077    $208,041
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Costs and Operating Expenses:
      Cost of revenues                       155,680     148,137     110,935
      Selling, general, and administrative
        expenses (Note 8)                     86,308      85,045      55,951
      Research and development expenses       24,270      21,363      14,874
      Nonrecurring costs (Notes 3 and 13)          -      17,637           -
                                            --------    --------    --------
                                             266,258     272,182     181,760
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Operating Income                          41,408      19,895      26,281

    Interest Income                           13,326      10,765       9,073
    Interest Expense                          (3,398)     (3,770)     (3,677)
    Gain on Issuance of Stock by
      Subsidiaries (Note 11)                  17,075      23,651       3,455
    Gain on Sale of Investments, Net
      (includes gain on sale of related-
      party investments of $428 in 1997;
      Notes 2 and 8)                             432         956         421
    Other Income                                  54           -          14
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Income Before Provision for Income 
      Taxes and Minority Interest             68,897      51,497      35,567
    Provision for Income Taxes (Note 5)       19,675      13,969      11,781
    Minority Interest Expense                  7,730       8,390       6,612
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Net Income                              $ 41,492    $ 29,138    $ 17,174
                                            ========    ========    ========

    Earnings per Share (Note 15):
      Basic                                 $   1.13    $    .80    $    .51
                                            ========    ========    ========
      Diluted                               $   1.07    $    .75    $    .48
                                            ========    ========    ========

    Weighted Average Shares (Note 15):
      Basic                                   36,700      36,417      33,660
                                            ========    ========    ========
      Diluted                                 38,911      38,202      35,036
                                            ========    ========    ========


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
    financial statements.

                                        2PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Consolidated Balance Sheet
 
    (In thousands)                                          1997        1996
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Assets
    Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                         $187,012    $ 82,800
      Short-term available-for-sale investments,
        at quoted market value (amortized cost of
        $58,144 and $64,950; includes $3,336 of 
        related-party investments in 1996;
        Notes 2 and 8)                                    58,317      65,054
      Accounts receivable, less allowances of
        $4,207 and $4,903                                 61,488      62,783
      Inventories                                         59,574      54,230
      Prepaid income taxes and expenses (Note 5)          12,769      14,713
                                                        --------    --------
                                                         379,160     279,580
                                                        --------    --------
    Property, Plant, and Equipment, at Cost, Net          21,611      21,550
                                                        --------    --------
    Long-term Available-for-sale Investments, at
      Quoted Market Value (amortized cost of
      $12,655 and $33,929; Note 2)                        12,665      33,920
                                                        --------    --------
    Other Assets (Note 5)                                 12,139       7,885
                                                        --------    --------
    Cost in Excess of Net Assets of Acquired
      Companies (Notes 3, 5, and 13)                     110,977     113,764
                                                        --------    --------
                                                        $536,552    $456,699
                                                        ========    ========

                                        3PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Consolidated Balance Sheet (continued)

    (In thousands except share amounts)                      1997       1996
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Liabilities and Shareholders' Investment
    Current Liabilities:
      Notes payable and current maturity of
        long-term obligation (Note 7)                   $  7,498    $  9,017
      Accounts payable                                    18,020      19,615
      Accrued payroll and employee benefits               12,576      11,951
      Accrued income taxes                                 6,815       5,438
      Accrued warranty costs                               3,784       3,971
      Other accrued expenses                              18,838      19,818
      Due to parent company and affiliates                 2,266       1,600
                                                        --------    --------
                                                          69,797      71,410
                                                        --------    --------
    Deferred Income Taxes and Other Deferred Items
      (Note 5)                                               177       1,382
                                                        --------    --------
    Long-term Obligations (Note 7)                       142,771      74,359
                                                        --------    --------
    Minority Interest                                     96,461      97,966
                                                        --------    --------
    Commitments and Contingency (Notes 6 and 9)

    Shareholders' Investment (Notes 4, 8, 10, and 17):
      Common stock, $.10 par value, 100,000,000
        shares authorized; 36,846,175 and 36,842,500 
        shares issued                                      3,685       3,684
      Capital in excess of par value                     113,913     138,433
      Retained earnings                                  116,034      74,542
      Treasury stock at cost, 134,172 and 166,144
        shares                                            (3,449)     (4,729)
      Cumulative translation adjustment                   (2,954)       (409)
      Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale
        investments (Note 2)                                 117          61
                                                        --------    --------
                                                         227,346     211,582
                                                        --------    --------
                                                        $536,552    $456,699
                                                        ========    ========


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
    financial statements.

                                        4PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                      Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

    (In thousands)                              1997        1996        1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Operating Activities:
      Net income                            $ 41,492    $ 29,138    $ 17,174
      Adjustments to reconcile net income
        to net cash provided by operating
        activities:
          Depreciation and amortization       10,361      10,431       6,766
          Gain on issuance of stock by
            subsidiaries (Note 11)           (17,075)    (23,651)     (3,455)
          Nonrecurring costs (Notes 3
            and 13)                                -      17,637           -
          Provision for losses on accounts
            receivable                           815       1,352         689
          Gain on sale of investments, net
            (Note 2)                            (432)       (956)       (421)
          Minority interest expense            7,730       8,390       6,612
          Increase (decrease) in deferred
            income taxes                          45        (601)        766
          Other noncash expenses                 780         938         990
          Changes in current accounts, 
            excluding the effects of
            acquisitions:
              Accounts receivable                491     (13,906)         53
              Inventories                     (5,367)       (839)    (11,675)
              Prepaid income taxes and
                expenses                        (845)         16      (2,367)
              Accounts payable                (2,042)        892       3,643
              Other current liabilities        2,906      (1,162)      2,704
          Other                                    -        (270)       (182)
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Net cash provided by operating
      activities                              38,859      27,409      21,297
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Investing Activities:
      Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
        (Note 3)                              (5,658)    (37,044)    (56,560)
      Acquisition of product lines                 -      (4,737)          -
      Purchases of property, plant, and 
        equipment                             (7,087)     (8,621)     (6,691)
      Purchases of available-for-sale
        investments                          (89,900)    (99,800)   (101,246)
      Proceeds from sale and maturities of
        available-for-sale investments       118,413     118,356     104,786
      Other                                      275        (754)        371
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Net cash provided by (used in)
      investing activities                  $ 16,043    $(32,600)   $(59,340)
                                            --------    --------    --------

                                        5PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (continued)

    (In thousands)                              1997        1996        1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Financing Activities:
      Net proceeds from issuance of Company
        and subsidiaries' common stock
        (Note 10)                           $ 29,122    $ 49,780    $  4,515
      Purchases of Company and subsidiaries'
        common stock                         (51,091)    (15,665)       (179)
      Proceeds from issuance of note payable
        to parent company (Notes 3 and 7)          -      15,000      38,000
      Repayment of notes payable to parent
        company (Notes 3 and 7)                    -     (53,000)          -
      Net proceeds from issuance of
        subordinated convertible
        obligations (Note 7)                  68,028      63,249           -
      Repayment and repurchase of long-term
        obligations                             (700)     (2,432)       (132)
      Net increase (decrease) in short-term
        borrowings                             2,699      (1,944)     (1,961)
      International Technidyne transfers 
        (to) from Thermo Electron                350      (5,567)     (2,158)
      Other                                        -        (146)        740
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Net cash provided by financing
      activities                              48,408      49,275      38,825
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Exchange Rate Effect on Cash                 902       1,303        (502)
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents    104,212      45,387         280
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning
      of Year                                 82,800      37,413      37,133
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Cash and Cash Equivalents at End
      of Year                               $187,012    $ 82,800    $ 37,413
                                            ========    ========    ========

                                        6PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (continued)

    (In thousands)                              1997        1996        1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cash Paid For:
      Interest                              $  2,467    $  5,333    $  3,328
      Income taxes                          $ 14,588    $  7,108    $  6,489

    Noncash Activities:
      Fair value of assets of acquired 
        companies                           $  9,351    $ 42,955    $ 67,394
      Cash paid for acquired companies        (6,291)    (37,445)    (56,879)
                                            --------    --------    --------
        Liabilities assumed of acquired
          companies                         $  3,060    $  5,510    $ 10,515
                                            ========    ========    ========

      Issuance of Company common stock to
        parent company in exchange for
        subsidiary common stock (Note 8)    $      -    $  4,236    $      -
                                            ========    ========    ========

      Conversions of Company and
        subsidiary convertible
        obligations (Note 7)                $  4,650    $ 31,562    $ 37,317
                                            ========    ========    ========


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
    financial statements.

                                        7PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

               Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment
 
    (In thousands)                              1997        1996        1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Common Stock, $.10 Par Value
      Balance at beginning of year          $  3,684    $  3,399    $  3,330
      Issuance of stock under employees'
        and directors' stock plans                 1          12           7
      Conversions of subordinated
        convertible debentures                     -          74          62
      Issuance of Company common stock to
        parent company in exchange for
        common stock of subsidiaries
        (Note 8)                                   -         199           -
                                            --------    --------    --------
      Balance at end of year                   3,685       3,684       3,399
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Capital in Excess of Par Value
      Balance at beginning of year           138,433     120,665     102,975
      Issuance of stock under employees'
        and directors' stock plans            (1,239)        737         378
      Tax benefit related to employees'
        and directors' stock plans                55       1,218         434
      Conversions of subordinated
        convertible debentures (Note 7)            -       7,631       6,259
      Issuance of Company common stock to
        parent company in exchange for
        common stock of subsidiaries
        (Note 8)                                   -       4,037           -
      Effect of majority-owned subsidiaries'
        equity transactions                  (23,336)      4,145       9,858
      Capital contribution from parent
        company                                    -           -         761
                                            --------    --------    --------
      Balance at end of year                 113,913     138,433     120,665
                                            --------    --------    --------

    Retained Earnings
      Balance at beginning of year            74,542      47,928      32,084
      Net income                              41,492      29,138      17,174
      International Technidyne transfers
        to Thermo Electron                         -      (2,524)     (1,330)
                                            --------    --------    --------
      Balance at end of year                 116,034      74,542      47,928
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Treasury Stock
      Balance at beginning of year            (4,729)        (42)       (310)
      Issuance of stock under employees'
        and directors' stock plans             1,572          58         268
      Purchases of Company common stock         (292)     (4,745)          -
                                            --------    --------    --------
      Balance at end of year                $ (3,449)   $ (4,729)   $    (42)
                                            --------    --------    --------

                                        8PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

         Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Investment (continued)

    (In thousands)                              1997        1996        1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cumulative Translation Adjustment
      Balance at beginning of year          $   (409)   $    (88)   $    326
      Translation adjustment                  (2,545)       (321)       (414)
                                            --------    --------    --------
      Balance at end of year                  (2,954)       (409)        (88)
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Net Unrealized Gain on Available-
      for-sale Investments
      Balance at beginning of year                61         889      (1,622)
      Change in net unrealized gain (loss)
        on available-for-sale investments
        (Note 2)                                  56        (828)      2,511
                                            --------    --------    --------
      Balance at end of year                     117          61         889
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Total Shareholders' Investment          $227,346    $211,582    $172,751
                                            ========    ========    ========


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
    financial statements.

                                        9PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    1.  Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

    Nature of Operations
        Thermedics Inc. (the Company) develops, manufactures, and markets
    precision weighing and inspection equipment, electrochemistry and
    microweighing products, product quality assurance systems, electronic
    test instruments and a range of power electronics, and security devices,
    as well as implantable heart-assist systems, whole-blood coagulation
    testing equipment, skin-incision devices, and other biomedical products. 

    Relationship with Thermo Electron Corporation
        The Company was incorporated in 1983 as a wholly owned subsidiary of
    Thermo Electron Corporation. As of January 3, 1998, Thermo Electron owned
    21,141,471 shares of the Company's common stock, representing 58% of such
    stock outstanding.

    Principles of Consolidation
        The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the
    Company; its wholly owned subsidiaries; and its majority-owned public
    subsidiaries, Thermo Cardiosystems Inc., Thermo Voltek Corp., Thermo
    Sentron Inc., and Thermedics Detection Inc. All material intercompany
    accounts and transactions have been eliminated. 

    Fiscal Year
        The Company has adopted a fiscal year ending the Saturday nearest
    December 31. References to 1997, 1996, and 1995 are for the fiscal years
    ended January 3, 1998, December 28, 1996, and December 30, 1995,
    respectively. Fiscal 1997 included 53 weeks; 1996 and 1995 each included
    52 weeks.

    Cash and Cash Equivalents
        At year-end 1997 and 1996, $175,101,000 and $74,625,000,
    respectively, of the Company's cash equivalents were invested in a
    repurchase agreement with Thermo Electron. Under this agreement, the
    Company in effect lends excess cash to Thermo Electron, which Thermo
    Electron collateralizes with investments principally consisting of
    corporate notes, commercial paper, U.S. government-agency securities,  
    money market funds, and other marketable securities, in the amount of at
    least 103% of such obligation. The Company's funds subject to the
    repurchase agreement are readily convertible into cash by the Company and
    have an original maturity of three months or less. The repurchase
    agreement earns a rate based on the 90-day Commercial Paper Composite
    Rate plus 25 basis points, set at the beginning of each quarter. At
    year-end 1997 and 1996, the Company's cash equivalents were also invested
    in U.S. government-agency discount notes and money market preferred
    stock. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates market
    value.

                                       10PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    1.  Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
        (continued)

    Inventories
        Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out
    basis) or market value and include materials, labor, and manufacturing
    overhead. The components of inventories are as follows:

    (In thousands)                                        1997         1996
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Raw materials and supplies                         $23,857      $28,210
    Work in process                                     18,218       10,719
    Finished goods                                      17,499       15,301
                                                       -------      -------
                                                       $59,574      $54,230
                                                       =======      =======

    Property, Plant, and Equipment
        The costs of additions and improvements are capitalized, while
    maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. The Company
    provides for depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method
    over the estimated useful lives of the property as follows: buildings and
    improvements, 5 to 31.5 years; machinery and equipment, 2 to 10 years;
    and leasehold improvements, the shorter of the term of the lease or the
    life of the asset. Property, plant, and equipment consists of the
    following:

    (In thousands)                                        1997         1996
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Land and buildings                                 $ 6,154      $ 5,778
    Machinery, equipment, and leasehold improvements    49,443       43,114
                                                       -------      -------
                                                        55,597       48,892
    Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization     33,986       27,342
                                                       -------      -------
                                                       $21,611      $21,550
                                                       =======      =======

    Other Assets
        Other assets in the accompanying balance sheet includes the cost of
    acquired patents, trademarks, acquired technology, and other specifically
    identifiable intangible assets. These assets are amortized using the
    straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from
    4 to 40 years. These assets were $4,400,000 and $4,146,000, net of
    accumulated amortization of $3,253,000 and $2,798,000, at year-end 1997
    and 1996, respectively.

    Cost in Excess of Net Assets of Acquired Companies
        The excess of cost over the fair value of net assets of acquired
    companies is amortized using the straight-line method over periods not
    exceeding 40 years. Accumulated amortization was $12,116,000 and
    $9,343,000 at year-end 1997 and 1996, respectively. The Company assesses

                                       11PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    1.  Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
        (continued)

    the future useful life of this asset whenever events or changes in
    circumstances indicate that the current useful life has diminished. The
    Company considers the future undiscounted cash flows of the acquired
    companies in assessing the recoverability of this asset. If impairment
    has occurred, any excess of carrying value over fair value is recorded as
    a loss.

    Foreign Currency
        All assets and liabilities of the Company's foreign subsidiaries are
    translated at year-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are
    translated at average exchange rates for the year in accordance with
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 52, "Foreign
    Currency Translation." Resulting translation adjustments are reflected as
    a separate component of shareholders' investment, titled "Cumulative
    translation adjustment." There were no material foreign currency
    transaction gains or losses in the accompanying statement of income.

    Revenue Recognition
        The Company recognizes the majority of its revenues upon shipment of
    its products. The Company provides a reserve for its estimate of warranty
    costs at the time of shipment. Revenues and profits on substantially all
    contracts are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method.
    Revenues recorded under the percentage-of-completion method were
    $8,735,000 in 1997, $6,564,000 in 1996, and $8,521,000 in 1995. The
    percentage of completion is determined by relating either the actual
    costs or actual labor incurred to date to management's estimate of total
    costs or total labor, respectively, to be incurred on each contract. If a
    loss is indicated on any contract in process, a provision is made
    currently for the entire loss. The Company's contracts generally provide
    for customer billing on a cost-plus-fixed-fee basis when certain
    milestones are attained, or monthly, as costs are incurred. Revenues
    earned on contracts in process in excess of billings are included in
    inventories in the accompanying balance sheet and were not material at
    year-end 1997 and 1996. There are no significant amounts included in the
    accompanying balance sheet that are not expected to be recovered from
    existing contracts at current contract values, or that are not expected
    to be collected within one year, including amounts that are billed but
    not paid under retainage provisions.

    Gain on Issuance of Stock by Subsidiaries
        At the time a subsidiary sells its stock to unrelated parties at a
    price in excess of its book value, the Company's net investment in that
    subsidiary increases. If at that time the subsidiary is an operating
    entity and not engaged principally in research and development, the
    Company records the increase as a gain.
        If gains have been recognized on issuances of a subsidiary's stock
    and shares of the subsidiary are subsequently repurchased by the
    subsidiary, the Company, or Thermo Electron, gain recognition does not
    occur on issuances subsequent to the date of a repurchase until such time

                                       12PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    1.  Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
        (continued)

    as shares have been issued in an amount equivalent to the number of
    repurchased shares. Such transactions are reflected as equity
    transactions, and the net effect of these transactions is reflected in
    the accompanying statement of shareholders' investment as "Effect of
    majority-owned subsidiaries' equity transactions."

    Stock-based Compensation Plans
        The Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 25,
    "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations in
    accounting for its stock-based compensation plans (Note 4). Accordingly,
    no accounting recognition is given to stock options granted at fair
    market value until they are exercised. Upon exercise, net proceeds,
    including tax benefits realized, are credited to equity.
    Income Taxes
        In accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," the
    Company recognizes deferred income taxes based on the expected future tax
    consequences of differences between the financial statement basis and the
    tax basis of assets and liabilities, calculated using enacted tax rates
    in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be
    reflected in the tax return.

    Earnings per Share
        During the fourth quarter of 1997, the Company adopted SFAS No. 128,
    "Earnings per Share" (Note 15). As a result, all previously reported
    earnings per share have been restated and the Company is required to
    report diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share have been
    computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares
    outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share have been
    computed assuming the conversion of convertible obligations and the
    elimination of the related interest expense, and the exercise of stock
    options, as well as their related income tax effects.

    Use of Estimates
        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
    accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
    assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities,
    disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
    financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
    during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
    estimates.

    Presentation
        The historical information for all periods presented has been
    restated to reflect the May 2, 1997, acquisition of International
    Technidyne Corporation by Thermo Cardiosystems from Thermo Electron,
    which has been accounted for at historical cost in a manner similar to a
    pooling of interests (Note 3).

                                       13PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    2.  Available-for-sale Investments

        In accordance with SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments
    in Debt and Equity Securities," the Company's debt and equity securities
    are considered available-for-sale investments in the accompanying balance
    sheet and are carried at market value, with the difference between cost
    and market value, net of related tax effects, recorded currently as a
    component of shareholders' investment titled "Net unrealized gain on
    available-for-sale investments." 
        The aggregate market value, cost basis, and gross unrealized gains
    and losses of short- and long-term available-for-sale investments by
    major security type, are as follows:

                                                          Gross       Gross
                                   Market      Cost  Unrealized  Unrealized
    (In thousands)                  Value     Basis       Gains      Losses
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    1997

    Government-agency securities  $55,391   $55,334    $    66      $    (9)
    Corporate bonds                11,547    11,521         26            -
    Other                           4,044     3,944        174          (74)
                                  -------   -------    -------      -------
                                  $70,982   $70,799    $   266      $   (83)
                                  =======   =======    =======      =======

    1996

    Government-agency securities  $86,403   $86,412    $     7      $   (16)
    Corporate bonds                 6,806     6,634        172            -
    Money market preferred stock    1,060     1,071          -          (11)
    Other                           4,705     4,762          -          (57)
                                  -------   -------    -------      -------
                                  $98,974   $98,879    $   179      $   (84)
                                  =======   =======    =======      =======

        Short- and long-term available-for-sale investments in the
    accompanying 1997 balance sheet include $57,356,000 with contractual
    maturities of one year or less and $13,626,000 with contractual
    maturities of more than one year through five years. Actual maturities
    may differ from contractual maturities as a result of the Company's
    intent to sell these securities prior to maturity and as a result of put
    and call options that enable either the Company, the issuer, or both to
    redeem these securities at an earlier date.
        The cost of available-for-sale investments that were sold was based
    on specific identification in determining realized gains and losses
    recorded in the accompanying statement of income. Gain on sale of
    investments, net, resulted from gross realized gains of $432,000,
    $1,086,000, and $439,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively, and gross
    realized losses of $130,000 and $18,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively,
    relating to the sale of available-for-sale investments.

                                       14PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   3.  Acquisitions

       On May 2, 1997, Thermo Cardiosystems acquired International Technidyne
   from Thermo Electron in exchange for the right to receive 3,355,705 shares
   of Thermo Cardiosystems' common stock. International Technidyne is a
   leading manufacturer of near-patient, whole-blood coagulation testing
   equipment and related disposables, and also manufactures premium-quality,
   single-use skin-incision devices.
       Because the Company, Thermo Cardiosystems, and International Technidyne
   were deemed for accounting purposes to be under control of their common
   majority owner, Thermo Electron, the transaction has been accounted for at
   historical cost in a manner similar to a pooling of interests.
   Accordingly, all historical financial information presented has been
   restated to reflect the acquisition of International Technidyne. The
   3,355,705 shares of Thermo Cardiosystems' common stock issuable in
   connection with the acquisition will not be issued until the listing of
   such shares for trading upon the American Stock Exchange has been approved
   by Thermo Cardiosystems' shareholders. Because the Company is the majority
   shareholder and intends to vote its shares in favor of such listing, the
   approval is assured and, therefore, the results of International
   Technidyne are included in the Company's results for all periods
   presented.
       Revenues and net income, as previously reported by the separate
   entities prior to the acquisition and as restated for the combined
   Company, are as follows:

   (In thousands)                                          1996       1995
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------
   Revenues:
     Historical                                        $258,085   $175,754
     International Technidyne                            33,992     32,287
                                                       --------   --------
                                                       $292,077   $208,041
                                                       ========   ========

   Net income:
     Historical                                        $ 26,831   $ 15,121
     International Technidyne                             4,672      4,210
     Minority interest expense not
       previously reported                               (2,365)    (2,157)
                                                       --------   --------
                                                       $ 29,138   $ 17,174
                                                       ========   ========

                                       15PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   3.  Acquisitions (continued)

       In addition, during 1997, two of the Company's majority-owned
   subsidiaries made acquisitions for $6,291,000 in cash.
       In December 1996, Thermo Cardiosystems acquired substantially all of
   the assets, subject to certain liabilities, of Nimbus Medical,
   Inc.(Nimbus), a research and development organization specializing in
   ventricular-assist devices and total artificial hearts, for $5,013,000 in
   cash. Nimbus is engaged strictly in research and development activities
   and, through its acquisition date, had not completed development of any
   commercial products for which it retains ownership rights. Nimbus' assets
   acquired by Thermo Cardiosystems included certain technology in
   development. The feasibility of the technology in development had not been
   conclusively established at the acquisition date and such technology had no
   future use other than in potential future generations of heart-assist
   devices or in total artificial hearts. In connection with the acquisition
   of Nimbus, Thermo Cardiosystems wrote off $4,909,000, which represents the
   portion of the purchase price allocated to technology in development based
   on estimated replacement cost.
       In January 1996, Thermedics Detection acquired the assets and certain
   liabilities of Moisture Systems Corporation and certain affiliated
   companies (collectively, Moisture Systems), and the stock of Rutter & Co.
   B.V. (Rutter) for a total purchase price of $21,668,000 in cash, which
   included the repayment of $700,000 of debt. The cost of these acquisitions
   exceeded the estimated fair value of the acquired net assets by
   $16,905,000, which is being amortized over 40 years. In connection with
   these acquisitions, the Company borrowed $15,000,000 from Thermo Electron
   pursuant to a promissory note due March 1997, and bearing interest at the
   90-day Commercial Paper Composite Rate plus 25 basis points, set at the
   beginning of each quarter. The Company repaid the $15,000,000 promissory
   note to Thermo Electron in September 1996 (Note 7). Moisture Systems and
   Rutter design, manufacture, and sell instruments that use near-infrared
   spectroscopy to measure moisture and other product components. During 1996,
   the Company's majority-owned subsidiaries made other acquisitions for
   $15,501,000 in cash.
       In December 1995, the Company acquired the Orion laboratory products
   division (Orion) of Analytical Technology, Inc. for $52,724,000 in cash,
   which included the repayment of $8,585,000 of debt. The cost of this
   acquisition exceeded the estimated fair value of the acquired net assets by
   $42,681,000, which is being amortized over 40 years. To partially finance
   this acquisition, the Company borrowed $38,000,000 from Thermo Electron
   pursuant to a promissory note due December 1996, and bearing interest at
   the 90-day Commercial Paper Composite Rate plus 25 basis points. The
   balance of the purchase price was funded from the Company's working
   capital. The Company repaid the $38,000,000 promissory note to Thermo
   Electron in September 1996 (Note 7). Orion manufactures electrochemistry,
   microweighing, process, and other instruments used to analyze the chemical
   composition of food, beverage, and pharmaceutical products and detect
   contaminants in high-purity water. In 1995, one of the Company's
   majority-owned subsidiaries made an acquisition for $3,755,000 in cash.

                                       16PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   3.  Acquisitions (continued)

       These acquisitions, excluding Thermo Cardiosystems' acquisition of
   International Technidyne, have been accounted for using the purchase method
   of accounting, and their results of operations have been included in the
   accompanying financial statements from their respective dates of
   acquisition. The aggregate cost of all of these acquisitions exceeded the
   estimated fair value of the acquired net assets by $76,845,000, which is
   being amortized over periods not exceeding 40 years. Allocation of the
   purchase price for these acquisitions was based on estimates of the fair
   value of the net assets acquired and, for acquisitions completed in 1997,
   is subject to adjustment upon finalization of the purchase price
   allocation. The Company has gathered no information that indicates the
   final allocation of purchase price will differ materially from the
   preliminary estimates.
       Based on unaudited data, the following table presents selected
   financial information on a pro forma basis, assuming the Company and Orion
   had been combined since the beginning of 1995. The effect of the
   acquisitions not included in the pro forma data was not material to the
   Company's results of operations.

   (In thousands except per share amounts)                             1995
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Revenues                                                        $251,207
   Net income                                                        19,239
   Earnings per share:
     Basic                                                              .57
     Diluted                                                            .54

       The pro forma results are not necessarily indicative of future
   operations or the actual results that would have occurred had the
   acquisition of Orion been made at the beginning of 1995.

   4.  Employee Benefit Plans

   Stock-based Compensation Plans

   Stock Option Plans
   ------------------
       The Company has stock-based compensation plans for its key employees,
   directors, and others. Two of these plans, adopted in 1983, permitted the
   grant of nonqualified and incentive stock options. These plans expired
   during 1993. Two other plans, adopted in 1993 and 1997, permit the grant of
   a variety of stock and stock-based awards as determined by the human
   resources committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the Board
   Committee), including restricted stock, stock options, stock bonus shares,
   or performance-based shares. To date, only nonqualified stock options have
   been awarded under these plans. The option recipients and the terms of
   options granted under these plans are determined by the Board Committee.
   Generally, options granted to date are exercisable immediately, but are
   subject to certain transfer restrictions and the right of the Company to
   repurchase shares issued upon exercise of the options at the exercise
   price, upon certain events. The restrictions and repurchase rights
                                       17PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   4.  Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

   generally lapse ratably over a five- to ten-year period, depending on the
   term of the option, which may range from seven to twelve years.
   Nonqualified stock options may be granted at any price determined by the
   Board Committee, although incentive stock options must be granted at not
   less than the fair market value of the Company's stock on the date of
   grant. To date, all options have been granted at fair market value. The
   Company also has a directors' stock option plan, adopted in 1991, that
   provides for the grant of stock options to outside directors pursuant to a
   formula approved by the Company's shareholders. Options awarded under this
   plan are exercisable six months after the date of grant and expire three or
   seven years after the date of grant. In addition to the Company's
   stock-based compensation plans, certain officers and key employees may also
   participate in stock-based compensation plans of Thermo Electron.
       A summary of the Company's stock option activity is as follows:

                              1997              1996               1995
                       -----------------  ----------------  -----------------
                               Weighted          Weighted            Weighted
                       Number   Average   Number  Average   Number    Average
   (Shares in              of  Exercise       of Exercise       of   Exercise
   thousands)          Shares     Price   Shares    Price   Shares      Price
   --------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Options outstanding,
     beginning of year  1,664    $14.99    1,557   $12.38    1,773     $12.14

       Granted            111     19.00      303    27.17       27      17.65

       Exercised          (63)     7.92     (137)    9.12      (74)      8.16

       Forfeited         (128)    22.75      (59)   22.42     (169)     12.57
                        -----              -----             -----
   Options outstanding,
     end of year        1,584    $14.93    1,664   $14.99    1,557     $12.38
                        =====    ======    =====   ======    =====     ======

   Options exercisable  1,584    $14.93    1,664   $14.99    1,557     $12.38
                        =====    ======    =====   ======    =====     ======
   Options available
     for grant            296                284               545
                        =====              =====             =====

                                       18PAGE
<PAGE>
   Thermedics Inc.                                   1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   4.  Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

       A summary of the status of the Company's stock options at January 3,
   1998, is as follows:

                                         Options Outstanding and Exercisable
                                         -----------------------------------
                                                                    Weighted
                                          Number  Weighted Average   Average
                                              of         Remaining  Exercise
   Range of Exercise Prices               Shares  Contractual Life     Price
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   (Shares in thousands)

   $ 4.70 - $10.96                           398         1.5 years    $ 7.13
    10.97 -  17.21                           878         7.8 years     15.22
    17.22 -  23.47                           134         7.8 years     19.07
    23.48 -  29.73                           174         5.5 years     28.10
                                           -----
   $ 4.70 - $29.73                         1,584         6.0 years    $14.93
                                           =====

   Employee Stock Purchase Program
   -------------------------------
       Substantially all of the Company's full-time U.S. employees are
   eligible to participate in an employee stock purchase program sponsored by
   the Company or its majority-owned public subsidiaries and Thermo Electron.
   Under this program, shares of the Company's or its majority-owned public
   subsidiaries', and shares of Thermo Electron's, common stock can be
   purchased at 95% of the fair market value at the beginning of the period,
   and the shares purchased are subject to a six-month resale restriction.
   Prior to November 1, 1995, the applicable shares of common stock could be
   purchased at the end of a 12-month period at 85% of the fair market value
   at the beginning of the period, and the shares purchased were subject to a
   one-year resale restriction. Shares are purchased through payroll
   deductions of up to 10% of each participating employee's gross wages.
   During 1997, 1996, and 1995, the Company issued 9,445 shares, 9,503 shares,
   and 14,552 shares, respectively, of its common stock under this program.

   Pro Forma Stock-based Compensation Expense
       In October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS
   No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-based Compensation," which sets forth a
   fair-value based method of recognizing stock-based compensation expense. As
   permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company has elected to continue to apply APB
   No. 25 to account for its stock-based compensation plans. Had compensation
   cost for awards granted in 1997, 1996, and 1995 under the Company's
   stock-based compensation plans been determined based on the fair value at

                                       19PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    4.  Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

    the grant dates consistent with the method set forth under SFAS No. 123,
    the effect on the Company's net income and earnings per share would have
    been as follows:

    (In thousands except per share amounts)    1997        1996        1995
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Net income:
      As reported                           $41,492     $29,138     $17,174
      Pro forma                              39,454      27,960      17,004
    Basic earnings per share:
      As reported                              1.13         .80         .51
      Pro forma                                1.08         .77         .51  
    Diluted earnings per share:
      As reported                              1.07         .75         .48
      Pro forma                                1.01         .72         .48

        Because the method prescribed by SFAS No. 123 has not been applied to
    options granted prior to January 1, 1995, the resulting pro forma
    compensation expense may not be representative of the amount to be
    expected in future years. Pro forma compensation expense for options
    granted is reflected over the vesting period; therefore, future pro forma
    compensation expense may be greater as additional options are granted.
        The weighted average fair value per share of options granted was
    $8.81, $11.49, and $6.50 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively. The fair
    value of each option grant was estimated on the grant date using the
    Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
    assumptions:

                                               1997        1996         1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Volatility                                  39%         39%          39%
    Risk-free interest rate                    6.2%        5.7%         6.1%
    Expected life of options              5.6 years   5.0 years    3.7 years

        The Black-Scholes option-pricing model was developed for use in
    estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting
    restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option-pricing
    models require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including
    expected stock price volatility. Because the Company's employee stock
    options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded
    options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can
    materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the
    existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of
    the fair value of its employee stock options.

    401(k) Savings Plan
        The majority of the Company's full-time U.S. employees are eligible
    to participate in Thermo Electron's 401(k) savings plan. Contributions to
    the 401(k) savings plan are made by both the employee and the Company.
    Company contributions to the 401(k) plan are based upon the level of 

                                       20PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    4.  Employee Benefit Plans (continued)

    employee contributions. For these plans, the Company contributed and
    charged to expense $1,758,000, $1,460,000, and $1,289,000 in 1997, 1996,
    and 1995, respectively. 

    5.  Income Taxes

        The components of income before provision for income taxes and
    minority interest are as follows:

    (In thousands)                                 1997      1996      1995
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Domestic                                    $63,053   $43,172   $31,857
    Foreign                                       5,844     8,325     3,710
                                                -------   -------   -------
                                                $68,897   $51,497   $35,567
                                                =======   =======   =======

        The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:

    (In thousands)                                 1997      1996      1995
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Currently payable:
      Federal                                   $13,256   $12,058   $ 9,850
      State                                       3,008     2,327     2,202
      Foreign                                     2,049     3,618     1,783
                                                -------   -------   -------
                                                 18,313    18,003    13,835
                                                -------   -------   -------
    Net deferred (prepaid):
      Federal                                       496    (3,843)   (1,633) 
      State                                         145        24      (421)
      Foreign                                       721      (215)        -
                                                -------   -------   -------
                                                  1,362    (4,034)   (2,054)
                                                -------   -------   -------
                                                $19,675   $13,969   $11,781
                                                =======   =======   =======

        The Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries receive a tax
    deduction upon exercise of nonqualified stock options by employees for
    the difference between the exercise price and the market price of the
    Company's common stock on the date of exercise. The provision for income
    taxes that is currently payable does not reflect $1,591,000, $3,520,000,
    and $3,935,000 of such benefits of the Company and its majority-owned
    subsidiaries that have been allocated to capital in excess of par value,
    directly or through the effect of majority-owned subsidiaries' equity
    transactions, in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively. The provision for
    income taxes that is currently payable also does not reflect $1,800,000
    of tax benefits used to reduce cost in excess of net assets of acquired
    companies in 1996.

                                       21PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    5.  Income Taxes (continued)

        The provision for income taxes in the accompanying statement of
    income differs from the provision calculated by applying the statutory
    federal income tax rate of 35% to income before provision for income
    taxes and minority interest due to the following:

    (In thousands)                                 1997      1996      1995
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Provision for income taxes at statutory
      rate                                      $24,114   $18,024   $12,448
    Increases (decreases) resulting from:
      Gain on issuance of stock by subsidiaries  (5,976)   (8,278)   (1,206)
      State income taxes, net of federal tax      2,057     1,534     1,163
      Amortization and write-off of cost in
        excess of net assets of acquired
        companies                                   401     3,256       232
      Reduction in valuation allowance                -      (684)     (854)
      Tax-exempt investment income                    -       (11)     (115)
      Tax benefit of foreign sales corporation     (698)     (437)     (426)
      Foreign tax rate and regulation
        differential                               (125)     (132)      485
      Nondeductible expenses                        107       228       137
      Other, net                                   (205)      469       (83)
                                                -------   -------   -------
                                                $19,675   $13,969   $11,781
                                                =======   =======   =======

        Prepaid and deferred income taxes in the accompanying balance sheet
    consist of the following:

    (In thousands)                                 1997      1996
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Prepaid (deferred) income taxes:
      Reserves and accruals                     $ 3,732   $ 4,455
      Inventory reserves                          3,869     2,234
      Depreciation and amortization               1,912       958
      Accrued compensation                        1,988     1,380
      Write-off of acquired technology (Note 3)   1,834     1,865
      Tax loss and credit carryforwards           1,180       652
      Trademarks and other intangible assets     (1,069)     (962)
      Allowance for doubtful accounts               328     1,079
      Warranty reserves                             107       934
      Other, net                                     72       264
                                                -------   -------
                                                $13,953   $12,859
                                                =======   =======

                                       22PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    5.  Income Taxes (continued)

        Thermo Voltek has federal tax net loss carryforwards, subject to the
    limitations described below. These net operating loss carryforwards will
    begin to expire in 1999. Pursuant to U.S. Internal Revenue Code Sections
    382 and 383, the utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards is
    limited to the tax benefit of a deduction of approximately $240,000 per
    year with any unused portion of this annual limitation carried forward to
    future years. As of January 3, 1998, net operating loss carryforwards
    totaled $2,500,000, including $600,000 that have not been benefited since
    they will expire unused. 
        The Company has not recognized a deferred tax liability for the
    difference between the book basis and tax basis of its investment in the
    common stock of its domestic subsidiaries (such difference relates
    primarily to unremitted earnings and gains on issuance of stock by
    subsidiaries) because the Company does not expect this basis difference
    to become subject to tax at the parent level. The Company believes it can
    implement certain tax strategies to recover its investment in its
    domestic subsidiaries tax-free. 
        A provision has not been made for U.S. or additional foreign taxes on
    $10,769,000 of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that could
    be subject to taxation if remitted to the U.S. because the Company
    currently plans to keep these amounts permanently reinvested overseas. 

    6.  Commitments

        The Company and its subsidiaries lease various office and
    manufacturing facilities under operating lease arrangements expiring from
    1998 through 2003. The accompanying statement of income includes expenses
    from operating leases of $5,470,000, $5,689,000, and $3,416,000 in 1997,
    1996, and 1995, respectively. Future minimum payments due under
    noncancellable operating leases as of January 3, 1998, are $5,345,000 in
    1998; $4,030,000 in 1999; $3,224,000 in 2000; $2,281,000 in 2001;
    $2,077,000 in 2002; and $6,506,000 in 2003 and thereafter. Total future
    minimum lease payments are $23,463,000.

                                       23PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    7.  Short- and Long-term Obligations and Other Financing Arrangements

    Long-term Obligations
        Long-term obligations of the Company are as follows:

    (In thousands except per share amounts)                 1997        1996
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Noninterest-bearing subordinated convertible
      debentures, due 2003, convertible at 
      $32.68 per share                                  $ 65,000    $ 65,000
    3 3/4% Subordinated convertible debentures,
      due 2000, convertible into shares of
      Thermo Voltek at $7.83 per share                     7,750       9,345
    4 3/4% Subordinated convertible debentures,
      due 2004, convertible into shares of
      Thermo Cardiosystems at $31.415 per share           70,000           -
    Noninterest-bearing subordinated convertible
      debentures, due 1997, convertible into shares
      of Thermo Cardiosystems at $14.49 per share              -       3,755
    Other                                                     52          14
                                                        --------    --------
                                                         142,802      78,114
    Less: Current maturity of long-term obligation            31       3,755
                                                        --------    --------
                                                        $142,771    $ 74,359
                                                        ========    ========

        The Company's convertible obligations are guaranteed on a
    subordinated basis by Thermo Electron. The Company has agreed to
    reimburse Thermo Electron in the event Thermo Electron is required to
    make a payment under its guarantee of the Company's, Thermo Voltek's, or
    Thermo Cardiosystems' obligations. 
        In lieu of issuing shares of Thermo Voltek common stock upon the
    conversion of the 3 3/4% subordinated convertible debentures due 2000,
    Thermo Voltek has the option to pay holders of the debentures cash equal
    to the weighted average market price of its common stock on the last
    trading date prior to conversion.
        During 1997, 1996, and 1995, convertible obligations of $4,650,000,
    $31,562,000, and $37,317,000, respectively, were converted into common
    stock of the Company or its subsidiaries.
        See Note 12 for fair value information pertaining to the Company's
    long-term obligations.

    Short-term Obligations and Other Financing Arrangements
        In September 1996, the Company repaid its $15,000,000 and $38,000,000
    promissory notes to Thermo Electron with proceeds from its 1996
    issuance of $65,000,000 principal amount of noninterest-bearing
    subordinated convertible debentures.
        Several of the Company's foreign subsidiaries have lines of credit
    outstanding of $5,506,000 and $5,262g,000 as of year-end 1997 and 1996,
    respectively. Amounts borrowed under these agreements are included in
    notes payable and current maturity of long-term obligation in the 

                                       24PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    7.  Short- and Long-term Obligations and Other Financing Arrangements
        (continued)

    accompanying balance sheet, and are guaranteed by either the Company or
    Thermo Electron. The weighted average interest rate on these borrowings
    was 7.4% and 6.3% at year-end 1997 and 1996, respectively. Unused lines
    of credit were $12,305,000 as of year-end 1997. In addition, included in
    notes payable and current maturity of long-term obligation in 1997 is a
    $1,961,000 promissory note relating to an acquisition by Thermo Sentron,
    bearing interest at 7.94%. The promissory note was repaid in January
    1998.

    8.  Related-party Transactions

    Corporate Services Agreement
        The Company and Thermo Electron have a corporate services agreement
    under which Thermo Electron's corporate staff provides certain
    administrative services, including certain legal advice and services,
    risk management, certain employee benefit administration, tax advice and
    preparation of tax returns, centralized cash management, and certain
    financial and other services, for which the Company paid Thermo Electron
    annually an amount equal to 1.0% of the Company's revenues in 1997 and
    1996 and 1.20% of the Company's revenues in 1995. Beginning in fiscal
    1998, the Company will pay an annual fee equal to 0.8% of the Company's
    revenues. The annual fee is reviewed and adjusted annually by mutual
    agreement of the parties. The corporate services agreement is renewed
    annually but can be terminated upon 30 days' prior notice by the Company
    or upon the Company's withdrawal from the Thermo Electron Corporate
    Charter (the Thermo Electron Corporate Charter defines the relationships
    among Thermo Electron and its majority-owned subsidiaries). In addition,
    the Company uses data processing and contract administration services of
    two majority-owned subsidiaries of Thermo Electron, and is charged based
    on actual usage. For these services, as well as the administrative
    services provided by Thermo Electron, the Company was charged $3,143,000,
    $2,953,000, and $2,529,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
    Management believes that the service fees charged by Thermo Electron and
    its subsidiaries are reasonable and that such fees are representative of
    the expenses the Company would have incurred on a stand-alone basis. For
    additional items such as employee benefit plans, insurance coverage, and
    other identifiable costs, Thermo Electron charges the Company based upon
    costs attributable to the Company.

    Research and Development Agreement
        Pursuant to a subcontract entered into in October 1993, Thermedics
    Detection performs research and development services for Thermo Coleman
    Corporation, which is the prime contractor under a contract with the U.S.
    Department of Energy. Thermo Coleman is a wholly owned subsidiary of
    Thermo Electron. Thermo Coleman paid Thermedics Detection $533,000,
    $619,000, and $829,000 for services rendered in 1997, 1996, and 1995,
    respectively.

                                       25PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    8.  Related-party Transactions (continued)

    Distribution Agreement
        Pursuant to an international distributorship agreement, Thermedics
    Detection appointed Arabian Business Machines Co. (ABM) as its exclusive
    distributor of the Company's security instruments in certain Middle
    Eastern countries. ABM is a member of The Olayan Group. Ms. Hutham S.
    Olayan, a director of Thermo Electron, is the president and a director of
    Olayan America Corporation, another member of The Olayan Group, which is
    indirectly controlled by Suliman S. Olayan, Ms. Olayan's father. Revenues
    recorded under this agreement totaled $480,000, $652,000, and $3,000 in
    1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

    Management Contract
        One of the Company's executive employees in 1997 and two of the
    Company's executive employees in 1996 allocated a portion of their
    salary, bonus, and travel expenses for the time they devote to Thermo
    Electron in connection with certain management responsibilities relating
    to Thermo Electron's wholly owned biomedical businesses. In 1997, 1996,
    and 1995, the Company was reimbursed $194,000, $707,000, and $402,000,
    respectively, under this arrangement.

    Repurchase Agreement
        The Company invests excess cash in a repurchase agreement with Thermo
    Electron as discussed in Note 1.

    Short-term Available-for-sale Investments
        As of December 28, 1996, the Company's short-term available-for-sale
    investments included $3,336,000 (amortized cost of $3,182,000) of 6 1/2%
    subordinated convertible debentures due 1997, which were purchased on the
    open market. The debentures have a par value of $3,100,000 and were
    issued by Thermo TerraTech Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Thermo
    Electron. The debentures were sold in 1997, resulting in a gain of
    $428,000, included in gain on sale of investments in the accompanying
    statement of income.

    Common Stock
        In January and April 1996, the Company issued an aggregate of
    1,987,273 shares of its common stock to Thermo Electron in exchange for
    634,049 shares of common stock of Thermo Voltek and 929,947 shares of
    common stock of Thermo Cardiosystems. The shares of common stock were
    exchanged at their respective fair market values on the dates of the
    transactions. See Note 17 for additonal information pertaining to
    related-party common stock activity.

    9.  Contingency

        Thermo Cardiosystems has received correspondence alleging that the
    textured surface of the left ventricular-assist system's (LVAS) housing
    infringed the intellectual property rights of another party. In general,
    an owner of intellectual property can prevent others from using such
    property without a license and is entitled to damages for unauthorized

                                       26PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    9.  Contingency (continued)

    past usage. The Company has investigated the bases of the allegation and,
    based on the opinion of its counsel, believes that if Thermo
    Cardiosystems were sued on these bases, it would have meritorious
    defenses.

    10. Common Stock

        At January 3, 1998, the Company had reserved 4,250,895 unissued
    shares of its common stock for possible issuance under stock-based
    compensation plans and possible issuance upon conversion of the
    noninterest-bearing subordinated convertible debentures.

    11. Transactions in Stock of Subsidiaries

        In March 1997, Thermedics Detection sold 2,671,292 shares of its
    common stock in an initial public offering at $11.50 per share, for net
    proceeds of $28,078,000, resulting in a gain of $17,075,000.
        In March 1996, Thermedics Detection sold 300,000 shares of its common
    stock in a private placement at $10.00 per share, for net proceeds of
    $3,000,000, resulting in a gain of $2,516,000. In November 1996,
    Thermedics Detection sold 383,500 shares of its common stock in a private
    placement at $10.75 per share, for net proceeds of $3,964,000, resulting
    in a gain of $3,165,000.
        In April 1996, Thermo Sentron sold 2,875,000 shares of its common
    stock in an initial public offering at $16.00 per share, for net proceeds
    of $42,335,000, resulting in a gain of $17,970,000.
        During 1995, $9,111,000 principal amount of Thermo Voltek's
    subordinated convertible debentures was converted into 1,163,098 shares
    of Thermo Voltek common stock, resulting in a gain of $3,455,000.
        During 1997, 1996, and 1995, a large portion of Thermo Cardiosystems'
    subordinated convertible obligations was converted into shares of Thermo
    Cardiosystems common stock. No gains were recorded on the conversions of
    these convertible obligations as Thermo Cardiosystems was principally
    engaged in research and development at the time the convertible
    obligations were issued.
        The Company's percentage ownership of its majority-owned subsidiaries
    at year end was as follows:

                                                         1997   1996   1995
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    Thermo Cardiosystems                                  51%    54%    52%
    Thermo Voltek                                         65%    51%    50%
    Thermo Sentron                                        71%    71%   100%
    Thermedics Detection                                  76%    94%   100%

                                       27PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    12. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

        The Company's financial instruments consist mainly of cash and cash
    equivalents, available-for-sale investments, accounts receivable, notes
    payable and current maturity of long-term obligation, accounts payable,
    due to parent company and affiliates, and long-term obligations. The
    carrying amount of these financial instruments, with the exception of
    available-for-sale investments, current maturity of long-term obligation,
    and long-term obligations, approximates fair value due to their
    short-term nature.
        Available-for-sale investments are carried at fair value in the
    accompanying balance sheet. The fair values were determined based on
    quoted market prices. See Note 2 for fair value information pertaining to
    these financial instruments.
        The fair value of long-term obligations was determined based on
    quoted market prices. The carrying amount and fair value of the Company's
    long-term obligations are as follows:

                                      1997                     1996
                              -------------------     --------------------
                              Carrying       Fair     Carrying        Fair
    (In thousands)              Amount      Value       Amount       Value
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Current maturity of
      long-term
      obligation             $      -    $      -     $  3,755    $  7,435
                             ========    ========     ========    ========

    Convertible
      obligations            $142,750    $130,201     $ 74,345    $ 62,666
    Other long-term
      obligations                  21          21           14          14
                             --------    --------     --------    --------
                             $142,771    $130,222     $ 74,359    $ 62,680
                             ========    ========     ========    ========

    13. Nonrecurring Costs

        The Company recorded nonrecurring costs of $12,728,000 in 1996 for
    the write-off of cost in excess of net assets of acquired company and
    certain other intangible assets associated with its Corpak subsidiary.
    The primary growth focus of the Company's biomedical products segment has
    become technology for improved product quality and implantable left
    ventricular-assist systems. The Company no longer expects to reinvest in
    its enteral nutrition-delivery business. The Company's analysis indicates
    that the expected future undiscounted cash flow from this business would
    be insufficient to recover the Company's investment.
        In addition, in 1996, the Company wrote off $4,909,000 of acquired
    technology associated with the acquisition of Nimbus by Thermo
    Cardiosystems (Note 3).

                                       28PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    14. Business Segments, Geographical Information, and Concentrations 
        of Risk

        The Company's principal businesses can be divided into two segments.
    The Company's Instruments and Other Equipment segment develops,
    manufactures, sells, and distributes precision equipment that weighs and
    inspects bulk materials and packaged goods; electrochemistry,
    microweighing, and other laboratory instruments; process detection
    instruments; security instruments; instruments that test electronic and
    electrical systems and components for immunity to electromagnetic
    interference; and a range of power electronics, including programmable
    power amplifiers and high-voltage power-conversion systems. The Company's
    Biomedical Products segment develops, manufactures, and sells LVAS;
    whole-blood, coagulation testing equipment, and skin-incision devices;
    and other biomedical products.
        The Company's Instruments and Other Equipment segment derived
    revenues from precision weighing and inspection equipment of $78,695,000,
    $70,027,000, and $67,474,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively, and
    from laboratory products of $53,054,000 and $50,854,000 in 1997 and 1996,
    respectively. In addition, this segment derived revenues from electronic
    test instruments and power products of $44,648,000, $48,507,000, and
    $36,326,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.
        The Company's Biomedical Products segment derived revenues from LVAS
    devices of $24,969,000, $29,970,000, and $20,593,000 in 1997, 1996, and
    1995, respectively. In addition, this segment derived revenues from
    blood-coagulation testing equipment and skin-incision devices of
    $35,873,000, $33,992,000, and $32,287,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995,
    respectively.
        Certain raw materials used in the manufacture of Thermo
    Cardiosystems' LVAS are available from only one or two suppliers. Thermo
    Cardiosystems is making efforts to minimize the risks associated with
    sole sources and ensure long-term availability, including qualifying
    certain other alternative materials and components or developing
    alternative sources for materials or components supplied by a single
    source. Although the Company believes that it has adequate supplies of
    materials and components to meet demand for the LVAS for the foreseeable
    future, no assurance can be given that the Company will not experience
    shortages of certain materials or components in the future that could
    delay shipments of the LVAS.

                                       29PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    14. Business Segments, Geographical Information, and Concentrations
        of Risk (continued)

    (In thousands)                                  1997      1996      1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Business Segment Information

    Revenues:
        Instruments and Other Equipment         $227,717  $213,138  $136,742
        Biomedical Products                       79,949    78,939    71,299
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $307,666  $292,077  $208,041
                                                ========  ========  ========
    Income before provision for income
      taxes and minority interest:
        Instruments and Other Equipment         $ 29,371  $ 22,725  $ 14,778
        Biomedical Products                       14,141      (718)   13,965
        Corporate (a)                             (2,104)   (2,112)   (2,462)
                                                --------  --------  --------
        Total operating income                    41,408    19,895    26,281
        Interest and other income, net            27,489    31,602     9,286
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $ 68,897  $ 51,497  $ 35,567
                                                ========  ========  ========
    Identifiable assets:
        Instruments and Other Equipment         $325,219  $297,141  $213,755
        Biomedical Products                      183,734   133,048   146,269
        Corporate (b)                             27,599    26,510    26,225
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $536,552  $456,699  $386,249
                                                ========  ========  ========
    Depreciation and amortization:
        Instruments and Other Equipment         $  7,115  $  7,304  $  4,040
        Biomedical Products                        3,232     3,115     2,697
        Corporate                                     14        12        29
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $ 10,361  $ 10,431  $  6,766
                                                ========  ========  ========
    Capital expenditures:
        Instruments and Other Equipment         $  3,530  $  5,185  $  2,669
        Biomedical Products                        3,539     3,436     3,999
        Corporate                                     18         -        23
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $  7,087  $  8,621  $  6,691
                                                ========  ========  ========

                                       30PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    14. Business Segments, Geographical Information, and Concentrations
        of Risk (continued)

    (In thousands)                                  1997      1996      1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Geographical Information

    Revenues:
        United States                           $245,682  $227,077  $160,016
        Europe                                    56,827    61,894    43,018
        Other                                     18,362    14,311    13,084
        Transfers among geographical areas (c)   (13,205)  (11,205)   (8,077)
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $307,666  $292,077  $208,041
                                                ========  ========  ========
    Income before provision for income 
      taxes and minority interest:
        United States                           $ 37,231  $ 12,863  $ 23,961
        Europe                                     3,461     7,366     3,170
        Other                                      2,820     1,778     1,612
        Corporate (a)                             (2,104)   (2,112)   (2,462)
                                                --------  --------  --------
        Total operating income                    41,408    19,895    26,281
        Interest and other income, net            27,489    31,602     9,286
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $ 68,897  $ 51,497  $ 35,567
                                                ========  ========  ========
    Identifiable assets:
        United States                           $445,839  $371,326  $319,712
        Europe                                    51,520    51,376    33,259
        Other                                     11,594     7,487     7,053
        Corporate (b)                             27,599    26,510    26,225
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $536,552  $456,699  $386,249
                                                ========  ========  ========
    Export revenues included in United States
      revenues above (d):
        Europe                                  $ 30,723  $ 24,769  $ 21,432
        Other                                     49,001    42,233    25,602
                                                --------  --------  --------
                                                $ 79,724  $ 67,002  $ 47,034
                                                ========  ========  ========
    ____________
    (a) Primarily general and administrative expenses.
    (b) Primarily cash, cash equivalents, and short- and long-term
        available-for-sale investments.
    (c) Transfers among geographical areas are accounted for at prices that
        are representative of transactions with unaffiliated parties.
    (d) In general, export sales are denominated in U.S. dollars.

                                       31PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    15. Earnings per Share

        Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:

    (In thousands except per share amounts)     1997        1996        1995
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Basic
    Net income                              $ 41,492    $ 29,138    $ 17,174
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Weighted average shares                   36,700      36,417      33,660
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Basic earnings per share                $   1.13    $    .80    $    .51
                                            ========    ========    ========

    Diluted
    Net income                              $ 41,492    $ 29,138    $ 17,174
    Effect of:
      Convertible obligations                      -          50         428
      Majority-owned subsidiaries'
        dilutive securities                      (39)       (441)       (651)
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Income available to common
      shareholders, as adjusted             $ 41,453    $ 28,747    $ 16,951
                                            --------    --------    --------

    Weighted average shares                   36,700      36,417      33,660
    Effect of:
      Convertible obligations                  1,989       1,346       1,055
      Stock options                              222         439         321
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Weighted average shares, as adjusted      38,911      38,202      35,036
                                            --------    --------    --------
    Diluted earnings per share              $   1.07    $    .75    $    .48
                                            ========    ========    ========

        The computation of diluted earnings per share excludes the effect of
    assuming the exercise of certain outstanding stock options because the
    effect would be antidilutive. As of January 3, 1998, there were 496,380
    of such options outstanding, with exercise prices ranging from $17.73 to
    $29.73 per share.

                                       32PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                   Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

    16. Unaudited Quarterly Information

    (In thousands except per share amounts)

    1997                       First(a)   Second        Third      Fourth
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Revenues                 $72,057     $75,996      $76,217     $83,396
    Gross profit              35,096      37,856       37,784      41,250
    Net income                21,966       5,506        6,664       7,356
    Earnings per share:
      Basic                      .60         .15          .18         .20
      Diluted                    .56         .14          .17         .19

    1996(b)                    First      Second        Third      Fourth
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    Revenues                 $68,994     $71,094      $74,202     $77,787
    Gross profit              33,185      34,121       37,668      38,966
    Net income                 5,257       9,754        6,359       7,768
    Earnings per share:
      Basic                      .15         .27          .17         .21
      Diluted                    .14         .25          .16         .20
    ____________
    (a) Results include a nontaxable gain of $17,075,000 from the issuance of
        stock by subsidiaries.
    (b) Results include nontaxable gains of $2,516,000, $17,970,000, and
        $3,165,000 in the first, second, and fourth quarters, respectively,
        from the issuance of stock by subsidiaries. 

    17. Subsequent Event

        On February 5, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors voted to issue
    4,880,533 shares of its common stock to Thermo Electron in exchange for
    100% of the stock of TMO TCA Holdings Inc., which is the beneficial
    owner of 3,355,705 shares of Thermo Cardiosystems' common stock. The
    issuance of the 3,355,705 shares of Thermo Cardiosystems common stock is
    subject to the approval by Thermo Cardiosystems' shareholders for the
    acquisition of International Technidyne from Thermo Electron (Note 3).
    The Company's issuance of the 4,880,533 shares of its common stock to
    Thermo Electron is subject to approval by the Company's shareholders.
    However, because Thermo Electron is the majority shareholder and intends
    to vote its shares in favor of the transaction, approval is assured. The
    shares of common stock will be exchanged at their respective fair market
    values as of February 5, 1998.  

                                       33PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                    Report of Independent Public Accountants

    To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Thermedics Inc.:

        We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of
    Thermedics Inc. (a Massachusetts corporation and 58%-owned subsidiary of
    Thermo Electron Corporation) and subsidiaries as of January 3, 1998, and
    December 28, 1996, and the related consolidated statements of income,
    shareholders' investment, and cash flows for each of the three years in
    the period ended January 3, 1998. These consolidated financial statements
    are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is
    to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on
    our audits.
        We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
    auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
    audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated
    financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes
    examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and
    disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing
    the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
    management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
    presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for
    our opinion.
        In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to
    above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
    Thermedics Inc. and subsidiaries as of January 3, 1998, and December 28,
    1996, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each
    of the three years in the period ended January 3, 1998, in conformity
    with generally accepted accounting principles.



                                            Arthur Andersen LLP



    Boston, Massachusetts
    February 12, 1998

                                       34PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        Forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Section 21E of the
    Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are made throughout this Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
    For this purpose, any statements contained herein that are not statements
    of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements.
    Without limiting the foregoing, the words "believes," "anticipates,"
    "plans," "expects," "seeks," "estimates," and similar expressions are
    intended to identify forward-looking statements. There are a number of
    important factors that could cause the results of the Company to differ
    materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements,
    including those detailed immediately after this Management's Discussion
    and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations under the
    heading "Forward-looking Statements."

    Overview

        The Company's business are divided into two segments: Instruments and
    Other Equipment, and Biomedical Products. The Instruments and Other
    Equipment segment includes the Company's Thermo Sentron Inc. subsidiary,
    which designs, develops, manufactures, and sells high-speed precision
    weighing and inspection equipment for industrial production and packaging
    lines; its Orion laboratory products division (Orion), which manufactures
    electrode-based chemical-measurement products that determine the quality
    of a wide variety of substances by measuring components, such as pH, ion,
    dissolved oxygen, and conductivity levels and are used in the
    agricultural, biomedical research, food-processing, pharmaceutical, and
    many other industries; its Thermedics Detection Inc. subsidiary, which
    develops, manufactures, and markets high-speed, on-line detection
    instruments used in a variety of industrial process applications,
    security applications, and laboratory analysis; and its Thermo Voltek
    Corp. subsidiary, which manufactures electronic-test instruments and a
    range of products related to power amplification, conversion, and
    quality.
        As part of its Biomedical Products segment, the Company's Thermo
    Cardiosystems Inc. subsidiary manufactures two implantable left
    ventricular-assist systems (LVAS): a pneumatic, or air-driven, system and
    an electric version. Thermo Cardiosystems' electric LVAS is being used in
    Europe as a bridge to transplant and as an alternative to medical
    therapy. According to terms set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
    (FDA), no profit can be earned from the sale of an LVAS in the U.S. until
    the FDA has approved the device for commercial sale. With the FDA's
    approval, the Company began earning a profit on the sale of its
    air-driven LVAS in 1994. Until FDA approval has been obtained, the
    Company may not earn a profit on the sale in the U.S. of other products,
    such as the electric LVAS, currently used in clinical studies. Thermo
    Cardiosystems' International Technidyne Corporation subsidiary is a
    leading manufacturer of near-patient, whole-blood coagulation testing
    equipment and related disposables and also manufactures single-use,
    premium-quality, skin-incision devices. The Company also develops and
    manufactures and markets enteral nutrition-delivery systems and a line of
    medical-grade polymers used in medical disposables and nonmedical,
    industrial applications, including safety glass and automotive coatings.
                                       35PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    Overview (continued)

        Approximately 46% of the Company's revenues in 1997 were derived from
    sales of products outside of the U.S., through export sales and sales by
    the Company's foreign subsidiaries. During 1997, the Company had exports
    from its U.S. and foreign operations to Asia of approximately 8% of total
    revenues. Exports to Asia in 1997 were primarily to Japan, China, and
    South Korea. Asia is experiencing a severe economic crisis, which has
    been characterized by sharply reduced economic activity and liquidity,
    highly volatile foreign-currency-exchange and interest rates, and
    unstable stock markets. The Company's export sales could be adversely
    affected by the unstable economic conditions in Asia. The Company expects
    an increase in the percentage of revenues derived from international
    operations. Although the Company seeks to charge its customers in the
    same currency as its operating costs, the Company's financial performance
    and competitive position can be affected by currency exchange rate
    fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and foreign currencies. Where
    appropriate, the Company uses forward contracts to reduce its exposure to
    currency fluctuations.

    Results of Operations

    1997 Compared With 1996
        Total revenues increased to $307.7 million in 1997 from $292.1
    million in 1996. Instruments and Other Equipment segment revenues
    increased to $227.7 million in 1997 from $213.1 million in 1996,
    primarily due to increases in revenues of $7.6 million, $8.7 million, and
    $2.2 million at Thermedics Detection, Thermo Sentron, and Orion,
    respectively, offset in part by a $3.9 million decrease in revenues at
    Thermo Voltek. 
        Revenues at Thermedics Detection increased to $51.3 million in 1997
    from $43.8 million in 1996. Revenues from Thermedics Detection's process
    detection instruments and related services increased to $22.4 million in
    1997 from $16.0 million in 1996, primarily as a result of the fulfillment
    of a mandated product-line upgrade from The Coca-Cola Company to its
    existing installed base and, to a lesser extent, increased shipments of
    its InScan systems, introduced in 1996. The mandated product-line upgrade
    was completed in 1997. These increases were offset in part by a decrease
    in demand from The Coca-Cola Company for new installations in 1997. As a
    result of this decrease in demand and the completion of the product-line
    upgrade, the Company anticipates that sales of Alexus systems will slow
    in 1998, which is the primary reason for the $5.1 million decrease in the
    Company's backlog in 1997. Revenues from Thermedics Detection's EGIS
    security systems and related services increased to $10.3 million in 1997
    from $7.1 million in 1996, primarily due to $3.2 million of shipments
    under a contract with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Revenues
    from Thermo Sentron increased to $78.7 million in 1997 from $70.0 million
    in 1996, primarily due to an increase of $7.2 million related to an
    increase in product demand and $4.2 million due to acquisitions. These
    increases were offset in part by a decrease of $2.7 million due to the
    impact of a stronger U.S. dollar relative to currencies in foreign 

                                       36PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    1997 Compared With 1996 (continued)
    countries in which Thermo Sentron operates. Revenues from Thermo Voltek
    decreased to $44.6 million in 1997 from $48.5 million in 1996, primarily
    due to a lower demand for EMC test products, resulting from the declining
    influence of IEC 801, the European Union directive on electromagnetic
    compatibility that took effect January 1, 1996, and, to a lesser extent,
    a decline in the component-reliability market for electrostatic discharge
    test equipment resulting from a slowdown in capital expenditures by the
    semiconductor industry. These decreases in revenues at Thermo Voltek were
    offset in part by an increase in revenues of $5.8 million due to
    acquisitions.
        Biomedical Products segment revenues increased slightly to
    $79.9 million in 1997 from $78.9 million in 1996. Revenues from Thermo
    Cardiosystems decreased to $62.8 million in 1997 from $64.0 million in
    1996, primarily due to a $6.6 million decrease in revenues from its
    air-driven LVAS, offset in part by a $1.9 million increase in revenues
    from its electric LVAS. Thermo Cardiosystems expects that revenues from
    sales of its LVAS will stabilize at approximately current levels until
    the electric system is approved in the U.S. for commercial sale. Thermo
    Cardiosystems believes that this approval could occur within the first
    six months of 1998; however, there can be no assurance that the Company
    will receive this approval within the expected time period, or at all.
    The decrease in revenues at Thermo Cardiosystems in 1997 was also offset
    in part by the inclusion of $2.0 million in revenues from an acquisition.
    In addition, revenues from International Technidyne and the Company's
    Polymer Products division increased $1.9 million and $1.8 million,
    respectively, during 1997 due to an increase in demand. 
        The gross profit margin remained constant at 49% in 1997 and 1996.
    The gross profit margin for the Instruments and Other Equipment segment
    was 48% in both 1997 and 1996. The gross profit margin at Thermedics
    Detection increased primarily due to a change in product mix to
    higher-margin revenues from The Coca-Cola Company's mandated product line
    upgrade, field service efficiencies in 1997, and a change in sales mix to
    higher-margin revenues at Moisture Systems and Rutter. To a lesser
    extent, the gross profit margin improved at Thermedics Detection due to
    the effect in 1996 of a charge for inventory obsolescence in connection
    with planned product changes. In addition, the gross profit margin
    improved at Orion in 1997, primarily due to lower overhead costs at its
    new operating location. These increases were offset in part by a decrease
    in the gross profit margin at Thermo Voltek, primarily due to a decrease
    in sales of certain higher-margin EMC test products, as well as the
    effect of a decrease in total revenues.
        The gross profit margin for the Biomedical Products segment remained
    constant at 54% in 1997 and 1996. The gross profit margin at Thermo
    Cardiosystems decreased primarily due to a shift in the sales mix to the
    lower-margin electric LVAS and, to a lesser extent, increased warranty
    costs due to a company-initiated modification of certain of its LVAS,
    completed in the first quarter of 1997. This decrease was offset by
    improved margins at International Technidyne, primarily due to
    manufacturing efficiencies. Thermo Cardiosystems announced an overall

                                       37PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    1997 Compared With 1996 (continued)
    price increase of approximately 10% in the electric LVAS product line,
    effective June 28, 1997, to help offset increased production costs.
    Thermo Cardiosystems will continue to be unable to earn a profit on sales
    of the electric LVAS in the U.S. until FDA approval of that system is
    obtained. The gross profit margin increased at the Company's Polymer
    Products division due in part to the effect of establishing certain
    inventory and related reserves in 1996.
        Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of
    revenues decreased to 28% in 1997 from 29% in 1996. Selling, general, and
    administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues decreased at
    Thermedics Detection due to $0.4 million of nonrecurring costs in 1996
    and, to a lesser extent, an increase in revenues in 1997, offset in part
    by increased selling expenses as Thermedics Detection developed a sales
    force for its InScan and Flash-GC systems. Selling, general, and
    administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues increased at Thermo
    Cardiosystems due to higher marketing expenses as a result of an increase
    in its LVAS sales force and, to a lesser extent, promotional expenses at
    International Technidyne. Selling, general, and administrative expenses
    as a percentage of revenues also increased at Thermo Voltek due to the
    effect of a decrease in revenues, and severance and related costs
    incurred as part of a continuing evaluation of its lines of business.
        Research and development expenses increased to $24.3 million in 1997
    from $21.4 million in 1996, primarily due to increased research and
    development expenses at Orion to develop new products and at Thermo
    Cardiosystems. The increase in research and development expenses at
    Thermo Cardiosystems primarily relates to a clinical trial being
    conducted to evaluate the electric LVAS as an alternative to medical
    therapy and, to a lesser extent, the inclusion of expenditures at Nimbus,
    acquired in December 1996. Thermo Cardiosystems expects research and
    development expenses to continue to increase over the life of the
    clinical trial, estimated at two to three years. There can be no
    assurance that the Company will complete this study or that it will
    receive FDA approval of the electric LVAS as an alternative to medical
    therapy during this time period, or at all.
        In 1996, the Company recorded nonrecurring expenses of $12.7 million
    for the write-off of cost in excess of net assets of acquired company and
    certain other intangible assets associated with its Corpak subsidiary. In
    addition, in connection with the December 1996 acquisition of Nimbus, the
    Company wrote off $4.9 million, which represents the portion of the
    purchase price allocated to technology in development (Note 3).
        Interest income increased to $13.3 million in 1997 from $10.8 million
    in 1996, due to higher average invested balances at Thermedics Detection
    and Thermo Sentron as a result of their initial public offerings of
    common stock in March 1997 and April 1996, respectively, and at Thermo
    Cardiosystems as a result of the issuance of $70.0 million principal
    amount of 4 3/4% subordinated convertible debentures in May 1997.
    Interest expense decreased to $3.4 million in 1997 from $3.8 million in
    1996, primarily due to the repayment of $53.0 million of notes payable to
    Thermo Electron in September 1996, conversions of subordinated
    convertible obligations, and a reduction in short-term borrowings at 

                                       38PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    1997 Compared With 1996 (continued)
    Thermo Sentron, offset in part by Thermo Cardiosystems' issuance of
    debentures.
        The Company has adopted a strategy of spinning out certain of its
    businesses into separate subsidiaries and having these subsidiaries sell
    a minority interest to outside investors. The Company believes that this
    strategy provides additional motivation and incentives for the management
    of the subsidiaries through the establishment of subsidiary-level stock
    option incentive programs, as well as capital to support the
    subsidiaries' growth. As a result of the sale of stock by subsidiaries,
    the Company recorded gains of approximately $17.1 million and
    $23.7 million in 1997 and 1996, respectively (Note 11). These gains
    represent an increase in the Company's proportionate share of the
    subsidiary's equity and are classified as "Gain on issuance of stock by
    subsidiaries" in the accompanying statement of income. The size and
    timing of these transactions are dependent on market and other conditions
    that are beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, there can be no
    assurance that the Company will be able to generate gains from such
    transactions in the future. In addition, in October 1995, the Financial
    Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an exposure draft of a Proposed
    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, "Consolidated Financial
    Statements: Policy and Procedures" (the Proposed Statement). The Proposed
    Statement would establish new rules for how consolidated financial
    statements should be prepared. If the Proposed Statement is adopted,
    there would be significant changes in the way the Company records certain
    transactions of its controlled subsidiaries. Among those changes, any
    sale of the stock of a subsidiary that does not result in a loss of
    control would be accounted for as a transaction in equity of the
    consolidated entity with no gain or loss being recorded. The exposure
    draft addresses the consolidation issues in two parts: consolidation
    procedures, which includes proposed rule changes affecting the Company's
    ability to recognize gains on issuances of subsidiary stock, and
    consolidation policy, which does not address accounting for such gains.
    During 1997, the FASB decided to focus its efforts on the consolidation
    policy part of the exposure draft and to consider resuming discussion on
    consolidation procedures after completion of the efforts on consolidation
    policy. The timing and content of any final statement are uncertain.
        The effective tax rates were 29% and 27% in 1997 and 1996,
    respectively. The effective tax rates were below the statutory federal
    income tax rate primarily due to nontaxable gains on issuance of stock by
    subsidiaries, offset in part by the impact of state income taxes and
    nondeductible amortization of cost in excess of net assets of acquired
    companies.
        Minority interest expense decreased to $7.7 million in 1997 from
    $8.4 million in 1996, primarily due to lower profits at Thermo
    Cardiosystems and Thermo Voltek, offset in part by the minority interest
    associated with Thermedics Detection and Thermo Sentron.
        The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of the year
    2000 on the processing of date-sensitive information by the Company's
    computerized information systems and on products sold as well as products
    purchased by the Company. The Company believes that its internal 

                                       39PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    1997 Compared With 1996 (continued)
    information systems and current products are either year 2000 compliant
    or will be so prior to the year 2000 without incurring material costs.
    There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will not experience
    unexpected costs and delays in achieving year 2000 compliance for its
    internal information systems and current products, which could result in
    a material adverse effect on the Company's future results of operations.
        The Company is presently assessing the effect that the year 2000
    problem may have on its previously sold products. The Company is also
    assessing whether its key suppliers are adequately addressing this issue
    and the effect this might have on the Company. The Company has not
    completed its analysis and is unable to conclude at this time that the
    year 2000 problem as it relates to its previously sold products and
    products purchased from key suppliers is not reasonably likely to have a
    material adverse effect on the Company's future results of operations.

    1996 Compared With 1995
        Total revenues increased 40% to $292.1 million in 1996 from $208.0
    million in 1995. Instruments and Other Equipment segment revenues
    increased to $213.1 million in 1996 from $136.7 million in 1995,
    primarily due to the inclusion of $73.5 million in revenues from acquired
    businesses (Note 3), principally Orion, acquired in December 1995,
    Moisture Systems and Rutter, acquired by Thermedics Detection in January
    1996 and, to a lesser extent, acquisitions by Thermo Sentron and Thermo
    Voltek. Thermedics Detection's process detection instrument sales to the
    beverage industry declined to $16.0 million in 1996 from $18.5 million in
    1995, primarily due to a decrease in product demand from Thermedics
    Detection's principal customer, which has substantially completed its
    initial deployment of Alexus systems. Revenues from Thermedics
    Detection's EGIS security systems increased to $7.1 million in 1996 from
    $4.6 million in 1995, primarily due to the sale of eight EGIS units to
    the U.S. government to provide counter-terrorism support in Israel.
    Revenues from Thermo Voltek increased $12.2 million to $48.5 million in
    1996 due in part to an increase in revenues at its Comtest subsidiary
    from sales of electrostatic-discharge test equipment and its introduction
    of a new product line in 1995. In addition, Thermo Voltek's revenues
    increased due to the inclusion of $3.0 million in revenues from Pacific
    Power Source Corporation, acquired in July 1996, and increased demand for
    electromagnetic compatibility test equipment at its Keytek division. 
        Biomedical Products segment revenues increased to $78.9 million in
    1996 from $71.3 million in 1995. Revenues from Thermo Cardiosystems
    increased $11.1 million to $64.0 million in 1996, primarily due to a $9.4
    million increase in LVAS sales and, to a lesser extent, a $1.7 million
    increase in sales of International Technidyne products. International
    Technidyne revenue growth resulted primarily from a $1.4 million increase
    in sales of skin-incision devices due to an increase in demand. These
    increases were offset in part by a decline of $4.3 million in revenues
    from Scent Seal fragrance samplers. In June 1995, the Company entered
    into an agreement with a third party granting an exclusive license to all
    of its patents and know-how relating to the Scent Seal fragrance samplers
    to a third party in consideration for royalty payments on future sales by

                                       40PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    1996 Compared With 1995 (continued)
    the licensee. The Company recorded royalty income of $426,000 in 1996 and
    $197,000 in 1995 related to this agreement.
        The gross profit margin was 49% in 1996, compared with 47% in 1995.
    The gross profit margin for the Instruments and Other Equipment segment
    increased to 48% in 1996 from 43% in 1995, primarily due to the inclusion
    of higher-margin revenues at Orion, Moisture Systems, and Rutter.
        The gross profit margin for the Biomedical Products segment increased
    to 54% in 1996 from 53% in 1995, primarily from an increase in revenues
    in Thermo Cardiosystems' LVAS product line due to higher-margin
    implementation programs, an increase in sales volume and, to a lesser
    extent, improvements in manufacturing efficiencies. These increases were
    offset in part by inventory write-offs at the Company's Corpak subsidiary
    associated with discontinued product lines. In addition, 1995 included
    lower-margin revenues from the sale of Scent Seal fragrance samplers.
        Selling, general, and administrative expenses as a percentage of
    revenues increased to 29% in 1996 from 27% in 1995, primarily due to
    higher expenses as a percentage of revenues at Orion, Moisture Systems,
    and Rutter and, to a lesser extent, $0.4 million of costs incurred by
    Thermedics Detection related to a reduction in personnel and leased space
    in response to the lower sales volume of process detection instruments to
    the beverage industry.
        Research and development expenses increased to $21.4 million in 1996
    from $14.9 million in 1995, primarily due to the inclusion of expenses
    from Orion for a full year in 1996 and, to a lesser extent, increased
    research and development expenses at Thermo Voltek and Thermedics
    Detection.
        In 1996, the Company recorded nonrecurring costs of $12.7 million for
    the write-off of cost in excess of net assets of acquired company and
    certain other intangible assets associated with its Corpak subsidiary. In
    addition, in connection with the December 1996 acquisition of Nimbus, the
    Company wrote off $4.9 million, which represents the portion of the
    purchase price allocated to technology in development (Note 3).
        Interest income increased to $10.8 million in 1996 from $9.1 million
    in 1995, primarily due to interest income earned on invested proceeds
    from the Company's May 1996 issuance of $65.0 million principal amount of
    noninterest-bearing subordinated convertible debentures and Thermo
    Sentron's April 1996 initial public offering of common stock. These
    increases were offset in part by cash used for the repayment of an
    aggregate of $53.0 million of promissory notes to Thermo Electron (Note
    3). Interest expense increased to $3.8 million in 1996 from $3.7 million
    in 1995, as a result of additional borrowings by the Company to fund
    acquisitions, largely offset by a decrease in interest expense due to
    conversions of the Company's and its subsidiaries' subordinated
    convertible obligations.
        The Company recorded gains of $23.7 million and $3.5 million in 1996
    and 1995, respectively, from issuance of stock by subsidiaries (Note 11).
        The effective tax rate was 27% in 1996, compared with 33% in 1995.
    The effective tax rate in 1996 was below the statutory federal income tax
    rate primarily due to the nontaxable gain on issuance of stock by 

                                       41PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    1996 Compared With 1995 (continued)
    subsidiaries and the elimination of the valuation allowance no longer
    required, offset in part by the nondeductible write-off of certain
    intangible assets at the Company's Corpak subsidiary, the impact of state
    income taxes, and nondeductible amortization of cost in excess of net
    assets of acquired companies. The effective tax rate in 1995 was below
    the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to nontaxable gain on
    issuance of stock by subsidiaries. 
        Minority interest expense increased to $8.4 million in 1996 from $6.6
    million in 1995 due to higher profits at the Company's Thermo Voltek
    subsidiary, and to a lesser extent, the minority interest associated with
    the Company's newly public Thermo Sentron subsidiary.

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

        Consolidated working capital was $309.4 million at January 3, 1998,
    compared with $208.2 million at December 28, 1996. Cash, cash
    equivalents, and short- and long-term available-for-sale investments were
    $258.0 million at January 3, 1998, compared with $181.8 million at
    December 28, 1996. Of the $258.0 million balance at January 3, 1998,
    $231.7 million was held by the Company's majority-owned subsidiaries and
    the remainder by the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.
        During 1997, $38.9 million of cash was provided by operating
    activities. Cash of $2.9 million, provided by an increase in other
    current liabilities, was more than offset by the use of $5.4 million of
    cash to fund an increase in inventories. The increase in inventories
    related to an order received from the FAA, which resulted in increased
    inventory purchases at Thermedics Detection. Inventories at Orion
    increased to normal operating levels from a low level at year-end 1996,
    which was due to its relocation in the fourth quarter of 1996.
        Excluding available-for-sale investment activity, the Company's
    primary investing activities during 1997 included expenditures of $5.7
    million for acquisitions (Note 3) and $7.1 million for purchases of
    property, plant, and equipment. During 1998, the Company expects to make
    capital expenditures of approximately $10.0 million. 
        During 1997, the Company's financing activities provided
    $48.4 million in cash. In March 1997, Thermedics Detection issued shares
    of its common stock in an initial public offering for net proceeds of
    approximately $28.1 million (Note 11). In addition, in May 1997, Thermo
    Cardiosystems issued and sold $70.0 million principal amount of 4 3/4%
    subordinated convertible debentures due 2004 for net proceeds of $68.0
    million (Note 7). 
        The Company intends, for the foreseeable future, to maintain at least
    50% ownership of its majority-owned subsidiaries. This may require the
    Company to purchase additional shares of common stock or, if applicable,
    convertible debentures (which are then converted) of these companies from
    time to time, as the number of these companies' outstanding shares
    increases, whether as a result of conversion of convertible notes
    orexercise of stock options issued by them, or otherwise. These or any
    other purchases may be made (i) in the open market or in negotiated 

                                       42PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                     Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    Liquidity and Capital Resources (continued)

    transactions, (ii) directly from Thermo Electron or the relevant
    subsidiary, or (iii) in the case of Thermo Voltek, pursuant to the
    conversion of all or part of its subordinated convertible notes held by
    the Company. 
        During 1997, the Company and certain of its majority-owned
    subsidiaries expended $9.1 million and $42.7 million, respectively, to
    purchase securities of the Company and certain of its majority-owned
    subsidiaries. These purchases were made pursuant to authorizations by the
    Company's and the applicable majority-owned subsidiaries' Boards of
    Directors. As of January 3, 1998, $0.8 million and $21.7 million remained
    under the Company's and its majority-owned subsidiaries' authorizations,
    respectively. In March 1998, the Company's Board of Directors authorized
    the repurchase, through March 5, 1999, of up to an additional $10.0
    million of its own securities and those of its majority-owned
    subsidiaries in private and open markets, or in negotiated transactions.
    Any such purchases are funded from working capital.
        The Company expects to continue to pursue its strategy of expanding
    its business both through the continued development, manufacture, and
    sale of new products, and through the possible acquisition of companies
    that will provide additional marketing or manufacturing capabilities and
    new products. In March 1998, Thermo Sentron reached a definitive
    agreement with Smiths Industries plc to acquire the three businesses that
    constitute the product-monitoring group of its Graseby plc division, for
    approximately $43.0 million in cash, net of cash acquired. The purchase
    price is subject to a post-closing adjustment. Graseby plc designs,
    manufactures, and distributes specialized packaged-goods equipment,
    including checkweighers, metal detectors, and thermal printers, primarily
    for use by food producers and pharmaceutical companies. The completion of
    this transaction is subject to the receipt of approvals from anti-trust
    authorities in the United States and Germany. While the Company currently
    has no other agreements to make any acquisitions, it expects that it
    would finance any acquisitions through a combination of internal funds,
    additional debt or equity financing from the capital markets, or
    short-term borrowings from Thermo Electron, although its has no agreement
    with Thermo Electron that assures funds will be available on acceptable
    terms or at all. The Company believes its existing resources are
    sufficient to meet the capital requirements of its existing operations
    for the foreseeable future.

                                       43PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

        In connection with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private
    Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company wishes to caution
    readers that the following important factors, among others, in some cases
    have affected, and in the future could affect, the Company's actual
    results and could cause its actual results in 1998 and beyond to differ
    materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made
    by, or on behalf of, the Company.

        Risks Associated With Acquisition Strategy. The Company's strategy
    includes the acquisition of businesses and technologies that complement
    or augment its existing product lines. Promising acquisitions are
    difficult to identify and complete for a number of reasons, including
    competition among prospective buyers and the need for regulatory
    approval, including antitrust approvals. There can be no assurance that
    the Company will be able to complete future acquisitions or that it will
    be able to successfully integrate any acquired business. In order to
    finance such acquisitions, it may be necessary for the Company to raise
    additional funds through public or private financings. Any equity or debt
    financing, if available at all, may be on terms which are not favorable
    to the Company and, in the case of equity financing, may result in
    dilution to the Company's stockholders.

        Risks Associated with Spin-Out of Subsidiaries. The Company has
    adopted a strategy of spinning out certain of its businesses into
    separate subsidiaries and having these subsidiaries sell a minority
    interest to outside investors. As a result of the sale of stock by
    subsidiaries, the issuance of stock by subsidiaries upon conversion of
    convertible debentures and similar transactions, the Company records
    gains that represent the increase in the Company's net investment in the
    subsidiaries. These gains have represented a substantial portion of the
    net income reported by the Company in certain periods. The size and
    timing of these transactions are dependent on market and other conditions
    that are beyond the Company's control. Accordingly, there can be no
    assurance that the Company will be able to generate gains from such
    transactions in the future.
        In addition, in October 1995, the Financial Accounting Standards
    Board (FASB) issued an exposure draft of a Proposed Statement of
    Financial Accounting Standards, "Consolidated Financial Statements:
    Policy and Procedures" (the Proposed Statement). The Proposed Statement
    would establish new rules for how consolidated financial statements
    should be prepared. If the Proposed Statement is adopted, there could be
    significant changes in the way the Company records certain transactions
    of its controlled subsidiaries. Among those changes, any sale of the
    stock of a subsidiary that does not result in a loss of control would be
    accounted for as a transaction in equity of the consolidated entity with
    no gain or loss being recorded. The exposure draft addresses the
    consolidation issues in two parts: consolidation procedures, which
    includes proposed rule changes affecting the Company's ability to
    recognize gains on issuances of subsidiary stock, and consolidation
    policy, which does not address accounting for such gains. During 1997,
    the FASB decided to focus its efforts on the consolidation policy part of

                                       44PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

    the exposure draft and to consider resuming discussion on consolidation
    procedures after completion of the efforts on consolidation policy. The
    timing and content of any final statement are uncertain.

        International Operations. Sales outside the U.S. have accounted for a
    significant percentage of the Company's total revenues. The Company
    intends to continue to expand its presence in international markets.
    International sales are subject to a number of risks, including the
    following: agreements may be difficult to enforce and receivables
    difficult to collect through a foreign country's legal system; foreign
    customers may have longer payment cycles; foreign countries may impose
    additional withholding taxes or otherwise tax the Company's foreign
    income, impose tariffs, or adopt other restrictions on foreign trade;
    fluctuations in exchange rates may affect product demand and adversely
    affect the profitability in U.S. dollars of products and services
    provided by the Company in foreign markets where payment for the
    Company's products and services is made in the local currency; U.S.
    export licenses may be difficult to obtain; and the protection of
    intellectual property in foreign countries may be more difficult to
    enforce. There can be no assurance that any of these factors will not
    have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of
    operations. During 1997, the Company had exports from its U.S. and
    foreign operations to Asia of approximately 8% of total revenues. Exports
    to Asia in 1997 were primarily to Japan, China, and South Korea. Asia is
    experiencing a severe economic crisis, which has been characterized by
    sharply reduced economic activity and liquidity, highly volatile
    foreign-currency-exchange and interest rates, and unstable stock markets.
    The Company's export sales could be adversely affected by the unstable
    economic conditions in Asia.

        Technological Change and Competition. The market for many of the
    Company's products is characterized by changing technology, evolving
    industry standards, and new product introductions. The Company's future
    success will depend, in part, upon its ability to enhance its existing
    products and to develop and introduce new products and technologies to
    meet changing customer requirements. The Company is currently devoting
    significant resources toward the enhancement of its existing products and
    the development of new products and technologies. There can be no
    assurance that the Company will successfully complete the enhancement and
    development of these products in a timely fashion, or that these products
    will compete successfully with those of the Company's competitors.
    Certain of the Company's competitors have greater resources,
    manufacturing and marketing capabilities, technical staff, and production
    facilities than those of the Company. As a result, they may be able to
    adapt more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in
    customer requirements, or to devote greater resources to the promotion
    and sale of their products than can the Company. Competition could
    increase if new companies enter the market, or if existing competitors
    expand their product lines.

                                       45PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

        Intellectual Property Rights. The Company relies upon trade secret
    protection and patents to protect its proprietary rights. There can be no
    assurance that patents will issue from any pending or future patent
    applications owned by or licensed to the Company, or that the claims
    allowed under any issued patents will be sufficiently broad to protect
    the Company's technology. In the absence of patent protection, the
    Company may be vulnerable to competitors who attempt to copy the
    Company's products or gain access to its trade secrets and know-how.
    Proceedings initiated by the Company to protect its proprietary rights
    could result in substantial costs to the Company. The Company has
    received correspondence from a third party alleging that the textured
    surface of the LVAS infringes certain patent rights of such third party.
    The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to the claims of
    the third party. However, no assurance can be given that the Company
    would be successful if litigation were commenced or that others will not
    claim that the Company infringes their intellectual property rights.
    There can be no assurance that competitors of the Company will not
    initiate litigation to challenge the validity of the Company's patents,
    or that they will not use their resources to design comparable products
    that do not infringe the Company's patents. There may also be pending or
    issued patents held by parties not affiliated with the Company that
    relate to the Company's products or technologies. The Company may need to
    acquire licenses to, or contest the validity of, any such patents. There
    can be no assurance that any license required under any such patent would
    be made available on acceptable terms, or that the Company would prevail
    in any such contest. The Company could incur substantial costs in
    defending itself in suits brought against it, or in suits in which the
    Company may assert its patent rights against others. If the outcome of
    any such litigation is unfavorable to the Company, the Company's business
    and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In
    addition, the Company relies on trade secrets and proprietary know-how
    which it seeks to protect, in part, by confidentiality agreements with
    its collaborators, employees, and consultants. There can be no assurance
    that these agreements will not be breached, that the Company would have
    adequate remedies for any breach, or that the Company's trade secrets
    will not otherwise become known or be independently developed by
    competitors.

        Uncertainty of Regulatory Approval for Biomedical Devices. Thermo
    Cardiosystems' biomedical devices, including its LVAS, are subject to
    approval by the FDA before they may be sold for profit in the United
    States. Thermo Cardiosystems is also subject to regulatory requirements
    in foreign countries in which it markets its devices. The process of
    obtaining regulatory approvals is lengthy, expensive, and inherently
    uncertain. Even after FDA approval has been obtained, such approval can
    be suspended or revoked if the FDA does not continue to be satisfied with
    the safety and efficacy of a product. Failure to comply with applicable
    regulatory requirements can result in, among other things, fines,
    suspensions of approvals, recalls of products, operating restrictions,
    and criminal prosecutions.

                                       46PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

        In October 1994, Thermo Cardiosystems received FDA approval for the
    commercial sale of its pneumatic LVAS. In April 1994, Thermo
    Cardiosystems received the CE Mark for commercial sale of the pneumatic
    LVAS in all European Union countries. Thermo Cardiosystems has developed
    the HeartPak(TM), a lightweight, portable console that can be carried
    over the shoulder and which can be used as an alternative to the larger
    external console approved for use with the pneumatic LVAS. The HeartPak
    received the CE Mark in February 1995 and is currently in Phase I
    clinical trials in the U.S. Thermo Cardiosystems' electric LVAS is
    currently in use in clinical trials in the U.S. These trials are testing
    the safety and efficacy of the device as both a bridge to transplant and
    as an alternative to transplant. The electric LVAS received the CE Mark
    in August 1995.
        In June 1997, Thermo Cardiosystems submitted a PMA supplemental
    application to receive FDA approval of its electric system for use as a
    bridge to transplant. This application is currently under review;
    however, no assurance can be given that the FDA will review this
    application on a timely basis or will grant approval once it completes
    its review. Significant design changes to Thermo Cardiosystems' LVAS,
    including use of the portable console for the pneumatic LVAS, must be
    approved pursuant to a supplement to an approved PMA application. Failure
    of Thermo Cardiosystems to obtain FDA approval for the commercial sale of
    the electric LVAS, either as a bridge to transplant or as an alternative
    to transplant, would have a material adverse effect on Thermo
    Cardiosystems' long-term growth prospects. In addition, failure of Thermo
    Cardiosystems to obtain approval for the HeartPak portable console would
    likely require patients supported by the pneumatic LVAS to remain
    hospitalized. This could materially decrease the market for the pneumatic
    LVAS.

        Uncertainty of Patient Reimbursement. The cost of implanting a
    cardiac support system is substantial. In addition, the Company's
    coagulation-testing equipment can cost several thousand dollars per
    instrument. Without the financial support of the government or
    third-party insurers, the market for Thermo Cardiosystems' devices will
    be limited. Medicare and Medicaid limit the reimbursement that U.S.
    hospitals receive for treating certain medical conditions by setting
    maximum fees that can be charged to their patients. Under these systems,
    hospitals are paid a fixed amount for treating each patient with a
    particular diagnosis. Private insurers also have initiated reimbursement
    systems designed to slow the escalation of health care costs. In
    addition, the federal government is considering, and certain state
    governments are considering or have adopted, new health care policies
    intended to curb rising health care costs. Such policies include
    rationing of government-funded reimbursement for health care services and
    imposing price controls upon providers of medical products and services.
    These policies could have the effect of limiting the availability of
    reimbursement for procedures, such as the implantation of an LVAS, that
    involve prolonged treatment of critically ill patients.
        In November 1995, the U.S. Health Care Finance Administration (HCFA)
    issued a decision that extends Medicare coverage to Thermo Cardiosystems'

                                       47PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

    HeartMate pneumatic LVAS. Several major nongovernment insurers have
    already agreed to offer coverage for the pneumatic LVAS. HCFA's coverage
    policy could also extend to the electric LVAS once approved, although
    there can be no assurance such coverage will extend to the electric LVAS.
    In addition, some major nongovernment insurers currently offer coverage
    for the electric LVAS because of its investigational device exemption
    status as a category B device (eligible for Medicare coverage and
    payment). Even though reimbursement has been established by HCFA and by
    certain nongovernment insurers for the pneumatic LVAS, the amount of
    available reimbursement may change, and reimbursement may be denied by an
    insurer under certain circumstances, including if it is determined that a
    procedure was not the most cost-effective treatment method, was
    experimental, or was used for an unapproved indication. No assurance can
    be given that additional third-party reimbursement for the pneumatic LVAS
    will be granted within a reasonable period of time, or at all. The
    unavailability of third-party reimbursement for procedures involving
    Thermo Cardiosystems' systems would have a material adverse effect on
    Thermo Cardiosystems' business.

        Uncertainty of Opinion Leader Acceptance and Support. A limited
    number of cardiac surgeons and cardiologists influences medical device
    selection and purchase decisions for a large portion of the target
    patient population. Thermo Cardiosystems will achieve its business
    objectives only if its LVAS are recommended for use by such opinion
    leaders. In addition, acceptance by these physicians of Thermo
    Cardiosystems' whole-blood coagulation monitoring systems and Coumadin
    monitors is also important to the success of Thermo Cardiosystems'
    business. Thermo Cardiosystems has developed working relationships with a
    number of leading medical centers, and its existing and proposed LVAS and
    its blood-coagulation monitoring systems have been well received by
    opinion leaders in cardiac surgery and cardiology. Moreover, since the
    inception of its work on cardiac support systems in 1966, Thermo
    Cardiosystems has relied upon surgical teams at medical institutions to
    perform clinical trials that are necessary to obtain FDA approvals. A
    continuing working relationship with those and other institutions will be
    important to the success of Thermo Cardiosystems. No assurance can be
    given that existing relationships and arrangements can be maintained or
    that new relationships will be established. Furthermore, economic,
    psychological, ethical, and other concerns may limit acceptance of heart
    assist devices in general, and there can be no assurance that markets of
    sufficient size will develop for Thermo Cardiosystems' LVAS.

        Availability of Components and Raw Materials. Thermo Cardiosystems
    relies on a number of custom-designed components and materials supplied
    by other companies to manufacture its LVAS. Thermo Cardiosystems is
    making efforts to minimize the risks associated with sole sources and
    ensure long-term availability, including qualifying alternative materials
    and components or developing alternative sources for the materials and
    components supplied by a single source. Although Thermo Cardiosystems
    believes that it has adequate supplies of materials and components to
    meet demand for its products for the foreseeable future, no assurance can

                                       48PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

    be given that Thermo Cardiosystems will not experience in the future
    shortages of certain materials or components that could delay shipments
    of its products. The cost to Thermo Cardiosystems to evaluate and test
    alternative materials and components and the time necessary to obtain FDA
    approval for these materials and components are inherently difficult to
    determine because both time and cost are dependent on at least two
    factors: the similarity of the alternative material or component to the
    original material or component, and the amount of third-party testing
    that may have already been completed on alternative materials or
    components. There can be no assurance that the substitution of
    alternative materials or components would not cause delays in Thermo
    Cardiosystems' LVAS development programs or adversely affect Thermo
    Cardiosystems' ability to manufacture and ship LVAS to meet demand.

        Limited Manufacturing and Marketing Experience of Thermo
    Cardiosystems. Prior to FDA approval of commercial sale of the pneumatic
    LVAS, Thermo Cardiosystems' LVAS business was engaged only in the
    research and development. Since that time, Thermo Cardiosystems has been
    building its manufacturing, marketing, and sales capabilities. While
    Thermo Cardiosystems has not experienced difficulties in manufacturing
    its LVAS at volume, cost, and quality levels sufficient to satisfy the
    increased demand resulting from commercial approval, no assurance can be
    given that Thermo Cardiosystems will not encounter difficulties as sales
    volumes increase or new products and/or components are approved for
    commercial sale. Thermo Cardiosystems does not have experience in the
    large-scale commercialization of LVAS medical devices. Although Thermo
    Cardiosystems has added sales and marketing staff and is expanding its
    distribution capabilities worldwide, no assurance can be given that
    Thermo Cardiosystems will be able to market and sell its LVAS
    successfully in high volumes.

        Product Liability. Thermo Cardiosystems faces an inherent business
    risk of exposure to product liability claims relating to the use of its
    products. Although Thermo Cardiosystems currently maintains product
    liability insurance against this risk, there can be no assurance that it
    will continue to be able to obtain such coverage at economically feasible
    rates, if at all, or that such coverage will be adequate in terms and
    scope to protect Thermo Cardiosystems completely in the event of a
    successful product liability claim.

        Effect of Government Regulations and Approvals on Market for Thermo
    Sentron's Products. The market for certain of Thermo Sentron's products,
    both in the United States and abroad, is subject to or influenced by
    various domestic and foreign clean air and consumer protection laws.
    Thermo Sentron designs, develops, and markets its products to meet
    customer needs created by existing and anticipated regulations, and any
    changes in these regulations may adversely affect consumer demand for
    Thermo Sentron's products. In addition, the marketing of certain of
    Thermo Sentron's products is dependent upon the receipt of regulatory and
    other approvals, including industry association approvals of the design,
    construction, and accuracy of Thermo Sentron's products. Delays in

                                       49PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

    obtaining, or the failure to obtain, any such approvals could have a
    material adverse effect on Thermo Sentron's business and results of
    operations.

        Effect of Electrical Standards on Demand for Thermo Voltek's
    Products. Demand for Thermo Voltek's EMC testing products and services is
    driven to a large extent by mandatory government standards and voluntary
    industry standards relating to electromagnetic compatibility. In
    particular, demand for many of Thermo Voltek's products results from
    efforts by manufacturers to comply with IEC 801, an EU directive that
    became effective on January 1, 1996. As the number of noncomplying
    manufacturers is reduced over time, demand for Thermo Voltek's products
    is likely to be adversely affected. In addition, if new EMC standards
    requiring new testing capabilities are enacted less frequently or if EMC
    standards become less strict or not strictly enforced, demand for Thermo
    Voltek's products could be adversely affected.

        Dependence of Explosives-Detection Market on Government Regulation
    and Airline Industry. Sales of Thermedics Detection's explosives-
    detection systems for use in airports has been and will continue to be
    dependent on governmental initiatives to require, or support, the
    screening of checked luggage, carry-on items, and personnel with advanced
    explosives-detection equipment. Substantially all of such systems have
    been installed at airports in countries other than the United States in
    which the applicable government or regulatory authority overseeing the
    operations of the airport has mandated such screening. Such mandates are
    influenced by many factors outside of the control of Thermedics
    Detection, including political and budgetary concerns of governments,
    airlines, and airports. Of the more than 600 commercial airports
    worldwide, more than 400 are located in the United States. Accordingly,
    Thermedics Detection believes that the size of the market for
    explosives-detection equipment is, and will increasingly be,
    significantly influenced by United States government regulation. In the
    United States, the Aviation Security Act of 1990 directed the Federal
    Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop a standard for
    explosives-detection systems and required airports in the United States
    to deploy systems meeting this standard in 1993. The Company beleives the
    FAA is of the opinion that, to date, no system has demonstrated that it
    meets all FAA standards under realistic airport operating conditions. As
    a result, the FAA has not mandated the installation of automated
    explosives-detection systems, and only a limited number of these systems
    have been deployed in the United States. The FAA first certified a
    computed X-ray tomography system for checked luggage in December 1994.
    Thermedics Detection's systems are trace detectors for which no FAA
    certification process for checked baggage, carry-on, or personal
    screening exists to date. Currently, Thermedics Detection is seeking FAA
    approval for Thermedics Detection's EGIS and Ramport systems for use by
    airlines in screening carry-on electronic items and luggage searches,
    however, there can be no assurance that such FAA approvals will be
    obtained. Each airline must seek this approval for each application.
    Although the FAA has provided significant funding to Thermedics Detection

                                       50PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

    in connection with the development of its explosives-detection
    technology, there can be no assurance that any of Thermedics Detection's
    systems will ever meet this or any other United States certification
    standard. Any product utilizing a technology ultimately recommended or
    required by the FAA will have a significant competitive advantage in the
    market for explosives-detection devices. Unless the FAA takes action with
    respect to a particular explosives-detection product or technology,
    airlines will not be required to purchase or upgrade their security
    systems, including upgrading existing metal-detection equipment. Earnings
    of U.S. air carriers tends to fluctuate significantly from time to time.
    Any depression in the financial condition of such carriers would likely
    result in lower capital spending for discretionary items. Moreover, there
    can be no assurance that additional countries will mandate the
    implementation of effective explosives screening for airline baggage,
    carry-on items or personal, or that, if mandated, Thermedics Detection's
    systems will meet the certification or other requirements of the
    applicable government authority. Even if Thermedics Detection's systems
    were to meet the applicable requirements, there can be no assurance that
    Thermedics Detection would be able to market its systems effectively.
        In October 1996, the United States enacted legislation which includes
    a $144.2 million allocation to purchase explosives-detection systems and
    other advanced security equipment, including trace detection equipment
    such as the systems manufactured by Thermedics Detection, for carry-on
    and checked baggage screening. The FAA has made purchases of, or placed
    orders for the purchase of, security equipment under this legislation,
    including an order to purchase $5.8 million of Thermedics Detection's
    EGIS systems. There can be no assurance, however, that this legislation
    will not be modified to reduce the funding for advanced explosives
    equipment, that the necessary appropriations will be made to fund further
    purchases of advanced explosives-detection equipment contemplated by the
    legislation, that trace-detection equipment such as the systems
    manufactured by Thermedics Detection will be mandated, or that, even if
    further appropriations are made and such equipment is mandated, any of
    Thermedics Detection's explosives-detection systems will be purchased for
    installation at any airports in the United States. Further, there can be
    no assurance that the U.S. will mandate the widespread use of these
    systems after completion of the initial purchases.

        Significance of Certain Customers to Thermedics Detection. Sales of
    process detection instruments and related services to bottlers licensed
    by The Coca-Cola Company (Coca-Cola Bottlers) were $13,194,000,
    $10,641,000, and $9,974,000 in 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively. In
    1997, Thermedics Detection completed the fulfillment of a mandated
    product-line upgrade for The Coca-Cola Bottlers. Although the Company
    anticipates that Thermedics Detection will continue to derive revenues
    from the sale of upgrades and new systems to new plants, as well as
    services to the Coca-Cola Bottlers, the Company does not expect that
    revenues derived from these customers will continue at a rate comparable
    to prior years. Further, the Company intends to continue to develop and
    introduce new process detection products for the food, beverage, and
    other markets; however, there can be no assurance that Thermedics

                                       51PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                           Forward-looking Statements

    Detection will be successful in the introduction of new process detection
    products or that any sales of these products will be sufficient to
    maintain a rate of growth equivalent to prior years.

        Potential Impact of Year 2000 on Processing of Date-sensitive
    Information. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of
    the year 2000 on the processing of date-sensitive information by the
    Company's computerized information systems and on products sold as well
    as products purchased by the Company. The Company believes that its
    internal information systems and current products are either year 2000
    compliant or will be so prior to the year 2000 without incurring material
    costs. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will not
    experience unexpected costs and delays in achieving year 2000 compliance
    for its internal information systems and current products, which could
    result in a material adverse effect on the Company's future results of
    operations.
        The Company is presently assessing the effect that the year 2000
    problem may have on its previously sold products. The Company is also
    assessing whether its key suppliers are adequately addressing this issue
    and the effect this might have on the Company. The Company has not
    completed its analysis and is unable to conclude at this time that the
    year 2000 problem as it relates to its previously sold products and
    products purchased from key suppliers is not reasonably likely to have a
    material adverse effect on the Company's future results of operations.

                                       52PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements

                         Selected Financial Information

    (In thousands except
    per share amounts)     1997(a)     1996(b)    1995(c)     1994(d)  1993
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Statement of Income
      Data:
    Revenues           $307,666   $292,077    $208,041    $183,753  $104,545
    Net income           41,492     29,138      17,174      12,695     7,633
    Earnings per share:
      Basic                1.13        .80         .51         .39       .25
      Diluted              1.07        .75         .48         .38       .25

    Balance Sheet Data:
    Working capital    $309,363   $208,170    $114,340    $131,578  $135,992
    Total assets        536,552    456,699     386,249     306,691   251,874
    Long-term
      obligations       142,771     74,359      45,201      82,551    59,130
    Shareholders'
      investment        227,346    211,582     172,751     136,783   122,186

    ------------
    (a)Reflects a nontaxable gain of $17.1 million from the issuance of
       stock by subsidiaries and the May 1997 issuance of $70.0 million
       principal amount of 4 3/4% subordinated convertible debentures by
       Thermo Cardiosystems.
    (b)Reflects the January 1996 acquisition of Moisture Systems and Rutter,
       the May 1996 issuance of $65.0 million principal amount of
       noninterest-bearing subordinated convertible debentures, and
       nontaxable gains of $23.7 million from the issuance of stock by
       subsidiaries.
    (c)Reflects the December 1995 acquisition of Orion.
    (d)Reflects the January 1994 issuance of $33.0 million principal amount
       of noninterest-bearing subordinated convertible debentures by Thermo
       Cardiosystems and the March 1994 acquisition of Ramsey Technology,
       Inc.

                                       53PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements


    Common Stock Market Information
        The Company's common stock is traded on the American Stock Exchange
    under the symbol TMD. The following table sets forth the high and low
    sale prices of the Company's common stock for 1997 and 1996, as reported
    in the consolidated transaction reporting system.

                                       1997                  1996
                                -------------------   ------------------
    Quarter                        High         Low      High        Low
    --------------------------------------------------------------------
    First                      $21 1/4     $16 5/8    $30 1/2    $23 1/4
    Second                      19 7/16     15         31 7/8     24 5/8
    Third                       19 7/8      15 1/8     31 1/8     20 1/8
    Fourth                      20 1/2      15 1/16    26 3/8     17 5/8

        As of January 30, 1998, the Company had 2,358 holders of record of
    its common stock. This does not include holdings in street or nominee
    names. The closing market price on the American Stock Exchange for the
    Company's common stock on January 30, 1998, was $15 1/4 per share.
        Common stock of the Company's majority-owned public subsidiaries is
    traded on the American Stock Exchange: Thermo Cardiosystems Inc. (symbol
    TCA), Thermo Voltek Corp. (symbol TVL), Thermo Sentron Inc. (symbol TSR),
    and Thermedics Detection Inc. (symbol TDX).

    Shareholder Services
        Shareholders of Thermedics Inc. who desire information about the
    Company are invited to contact John N. Hatsopoulos, Chief Financial
    Officer, Thermedics Inc., 81 Wyman Street, P.O. Box 9046, Waltham,
    Massachusetts 02254-9046, (781) 622-1111. A mailing list is maintained to
    enable shareholders whose stock is held in street name, and other
    interested individuals, to receive quarterly reports, annual reports, and
    press releases as quickly as possible. Distribution of printed quarterly
    reports is limited to the second quarter report only. All material will
    be available from Thermo Electron's Internet site
    (http://www.thermo.com/subsid/tmd1.html).

    Stock Transfer Agent
        BankBoston is the stock transfer agent and maintains shareholder
    activity records. The agent will respond to questions on issuance of
    stock certificates, change of ownership, lost stock certificates, and
    change of address. For these and similar matters, please direct inquiries
    to:

        BankBoston
        c/o Boston EquiServe Limited Partnership
        P.O. Box 8040
        Boston, Massachusetts 02266-8040
        (617) 575-3120

                                       54PAGE
<PAGE>
    Thermedics Inc.                                 1997 Financial Statements


    Dividend Policy
        The Company has never paid cash dividends and does not expect to pay
    cash dividends in the foreseeable future because its policy has been to
    use earnings to finance expansion and growth. Payment of dividends will
    rest within the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors and will
    depend upon, among other factors, the Company's earnings, capital
    requirements, and financial condition.

    Form 10-K Report
        A copy of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
    January 3, 1998, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
    may be obtained at no charge by writing to John N. Hatsopoulos, Chief
    Financial Officer, Thermedics Inc., 81 Wyman Street, P.O. Box 9046,
    Waltham, Massachusetts 02254-9046.

    Annual Meeting
        The annual meeting of shareholders will be held on Monday, June 1,
    1998, at 1:30 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Scottsdale, Arizona.

                                       55PAGE
<PAGE>





                                                                    Exhibit 21
                                  THERMEDICS INC.

      As of January 30, 1998, the Registrant owned the following subsidiaries:

                                                        STATE OR
                                                      JURISDICTION   PERCENT
                           NAME                            OF          OF
                                                      INCORPORATION  OWNERSHIP
           Corpak Inc.                                Massachusetts     100
              Walpak Company                          Illinois          100
           Orion Research, Inc.                       Massachusetts     100
              Advanced Sensor Technology              Massachusetts     100
              Orion Research Limited                  United            100
                                                      Kingdom
              Orion Research Puerto Rico, Inc.        Delaware          100
              Russell pH Limited                      Scotland          100

           Thermedics Detection Inc.                  Massachusetts      75.83
              Detection Securities Corporation        Massachusetts     100
              Moisture Systems Corporation Ltd.       United            100
                                                      Kingdom
              Rutter & Co.                            Netherlands       100
                Rutter Instrumentation S.A.R.L.       France             90
                Systech B.V.                          Netherlands        50
              ThermedeTec Corporation                 Delaware          100
                Thermedics Detection de Argentina S.A.Argentina         100
                (1% of which shares are owned
                 directly by Thermedics Detection Inc.)
                Thermedics Detection de Mexico, S.A.  Mexico            100
                 de C.V.
                Thermedics Detection GmbH             Germany           100
                Thermedics Detection Limited          United            100
                                                      Kingdom
                Thermedics Detection Scandinavia AS   Norway            100
           Thermo Sentron Inc.                        Delaware           70.95
           (additionally, 6.86% of the shares are
            owned directly by The Thermo Electron
            Companies Inc.)
              Ramsey France S.A.R.L.                  France            100
              Ramsey Ingenieros S.A.                  Spain             100
              Ramsey Italia S.R.L.                    Italy             100
                Tecno Europa Elettromeccanica S.R.L.  Italy             100
              Ramsey Technology Inc.                  Massachusetts     100
                Xuzhou Ramsey Technology Co., Limited China              50*
                                                                 Page 1PAGE
<PAGE>
                                                                    Exhibit 21
                                  THERMEDICS INC.

                                                        STATE OR
                                                      JURISDICTION   PERCENT
                           NAME                            OF          OF
                                                      INCORPORATION  OWNERSHIP
              Thermo Sentron Australia Pty. Ltd..     Australia         100
              Thermo Sentron B.V.                     Netherlands       100
              Thermo Sentron Canada Inc.              Canada            100
              Thermo Sentron GmbH                     Germany           100
              Thermo Sentron Limited                  United            100
                                                      Kingdom
                Hitech Electrocontrols Limited        United            100
                                                      Kingdom
                   Hitech Licenses Ltd.               United            100
                                                      Kingdom

                   Hitech Metal Detectors Ltd.        United            100
                                                      Kingdom
                Westerland Engineering Ltd.           United            100
                                                      Kingdom
              Thermo Sentron SEC Corporation          Massachusetts     l00
              Thermo Sentron (South Africa) Pty. Ltd. South Africa      100
           TMD Securities Corporation                 Massachusetts     100
              Thermo Cardiosystems Inc.               Massachusetts      50.64
              (additionally, 8.84% of the shares are  
               owned directly by The Thermo Electron
               Companies Inc.)
                International Technidyne Corporation  Delaware          100
                   International Technidyne           United            100
                    Corporation Limited               Kingdom
                Nimbus Inc.                           Massachusetts     100
                TCA Securities Corporation            Massachusetts     100
              Thermo Voltek Corp.                     Delaware           65.28
              (additionally, 2.69% of the shares are
               owned directly by The Thermo Electron
               Companies Inc.)
                Thermo Voltek Europe B.V.             Netherlands       100
                   Comtest Instrumentation, B.V.      Netherlands       100
                   Comtest Italia S.R.L.               Italy            100
                   Comtest Limited                    United            100
                                                      Kingdom
                     Milmega Limited                  United            100
                                                      Kingdom
                TVL Securities Corporation            Delaware          100
                UVC Realty Corp.                      New York          100
       
      * Joint Venture/Partnership                      
                                                                  Page 2

                                                                   Exhibit 23

                    Consent of Independent Public Accountants
                    -----------------------------------------

        As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
    incorporation by reference of our report for Thermedics Inc. dated
    February 12, 1998, included in or made a part of this Form 10-K, into the
    Company's previously filed Registration Statement No. 2-93746 on Form
    S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-00183 on Form S-8, Registration
    Statement No. 2-93747 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-8992 on
    Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-31621 on Form S-8, Registration
    Statement No. 33-9215 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-43707 on
    Form S-3, Registration Statement No. 33-40866 on Form S-3, Registration
    Statement No. 33-64070 on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-86972
    on Form S-8, Registration Statement No. 33-86974 on Form S-8,
    Registration Statement No. 033-65279 on Form S-8, Registration Statement
    No. 033-61435 on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-2149 on Form S-3, and
    Registration No. 333-32035 on Form S-3.



                                            Arthur Andersen LLP



    Boston, Massachusetts
    March 17, 1998



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONATAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 1998 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1998
<CASH>                                         187,012
<SECURITIES>                                    58,317
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,695
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,207
<INVENTORY>                                     59,574
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               379,160
<PP&E>                                          55,597
<DEPRECIATION>                                  33,986
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 536,552
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,797
<BONDS>                                        142,771
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,685
<OTHER-SE>                                     223,661
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   536,552
<SALES>                                        307,666
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               307,666
<CGS>                                          155,680
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  155,680
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                24,270
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   815
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,398
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 68,897
<INCOME-TAX>                                    19,675
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             41,492
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    41,492
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.13
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.07
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 1995 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-30-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-30-1995
<CASH>                                          37,413
<SECURITIES>                                    77,916
<RECEIVABLES>                                   50,813
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,244
<INVENTORY>                                     47,947
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               219,768
<PP&E>                                          40,899
<DEPRECIATION>                                  21,452
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 386,249
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          105,428
<BONDS>                                         45,201
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,399
<OTHER-SE>                                     169,352
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   386,249
<SALES>                                        208,041
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               208,041
<CGS>                                          110,935
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  110,935
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,874
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   689
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,677
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 35,567
<INCOME-TAX>                                    11,781
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             17,174
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,174
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .51
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .48
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 30, 1996 AND
IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINACIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-30-1996
<CASH>                                          48,745
<SECURITIES>                                    75,850
<RECEIVABLES>                                   59,319
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,493
<INVENTORY>                                     52,908
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               242,954
<PP&E>                                          43,988
<DEPRECIATION>                                  23,486
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 422,415
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          136,924
<BONDS>                                         32,706
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,647
<OTHER-SE>                                     185,959
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   422,415
<SALES>                                         68,994
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                68,994
<CGS>                                           35,809
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   35,809
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,974
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   202
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               1,278
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 10,659
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,332
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,257
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,257
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .15
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .14
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEUDLE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 29, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-29-1996
<CASH>                                         131,416
<SECURITIES>                                    85,823
<RECEIVABLES>                                   60,189
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,747
<INVENTORY>                                     54,011
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               337,220
<PP&E>                                          44,880
<DEPRECIATION>                                  25,031
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 504,601
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          121,118
<BONDS>                                         88,073
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,679
<OTHER-SE>                                     198,771
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   504,601
<SALES>                                        140,088
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               140,088
<CGS>                                           72,782
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   72,782
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                23,090
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   606
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,537
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,775
<INCOME-TAX>                                     5,060
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,011
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,011
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .41
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .40
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THEMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                          89,189
<SECURITIES>                                    67,262
<RECEIVABLES>                                   62,722
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,384
<INVENTORY>                                     54,468
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               280,079
<PP&E>                                          46,701
<DEPRECIATION>                                  26,689
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 452,466
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,301
<BONDS>                                         82,543
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,682
<OTHER-SE>                                     198,987
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   452,466
<SALES>                                        214,290
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               214,290
<CGS>                                          109,316
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  109,316
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                28,554
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   883
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,530
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 39,582
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,629
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,370
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,370
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .59
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .55
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-28-1996
<CASH>                                          82,800
<SECURITIES>                                    65,054
<RECEIVABLES>                                   67,686
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,903
<INVENTORY>                                     54,230
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               279,580
<PP&E>                                          48,892
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,342
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 456,699
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           71,410
<BONDS>                                         74,359
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,684
<OTHER-SE>                                     207,898
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   456,699
<SALES>                                        292,077
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               292,077
<CGS>                                          148,137
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  148,137
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                39,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 1,352
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               3,770
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 51,497
<INCOME-TAX>                                    13,969
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             29,138
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    29,138
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .80
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .75
        


</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 29, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-29-1997
<CASH>                                         130,252
<SECURITIES>                                    65,272
<RECEIVABLES>                                   63,436
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,891
<INVENTORY>                                     56,105
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               325,438
<PP&E>                                          50,560
<DEPRECIATION>                                  28,897
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 488,312
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           69,906
<BONDS>                                         73,465
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,685
<OTHER-SE>                                     225,585
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   488,312
<SALES>                                         72,057
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                72,057
<CGS>                                           36,961
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   36,961
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,584
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   202
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 269
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 26,991
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,764
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             21,966
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    21,966
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .60
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .56
        




</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 28, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-28-1997
<CASH>                                         168,344
<SECURITIES>                                    57,576
<RECEIVABLES>                                   65,426
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,851
<INVENTORY>                                     59,905
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               361,576
<PP&E>                                          52,220
<DEPRECIATION>                                  30,643
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 533,903
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           79,011
<BONDS>                                        143,464
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,685
<OTHER-SE>                                     212,085
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   533,903
<SALES>                                        148,053
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               148,053
<CGS>                                           75,101
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   75,101
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                11,811
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   285
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 983
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 39,659
<INCOME-TAX>                                     8,938
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,472
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    27,472
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .75
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .71
        



</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THERMEDICS
INC.'S QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997
AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFEENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<RESTATED> 
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-27-1997
<CASH>                                         165,419
<SECURITIES>                                    60,404
<RECEIVABLES>                                   66,802
<ALLOWANCES>                                     4,151
<INVENTORY>                                     61,505
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               365,308
<PP&E>                                          53,917
<DEPRECIATION>                                  32,385
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 535,601
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           75,983
<BONDS>                                        143,464
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,685
<OTHER-SE>                                     216,911
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   535,601
<SALES>                                        224,270
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               224,270
<CGS>                                          113,534
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  113,534
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                17,752
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   486
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,185
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 53,923
<INCOME-TAX>                                    14,391
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             34,136
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    34,136
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .93
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .88
        



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