CARDIOTRONICS SYSTEMS INC
8-K, 1996-12-10
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                _________________


                                    Form 8-K

                                 Current Report



                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934



                                December 10, 1996
                                (Date of Report)





                       CARDIOTRONICS SYSTEMS, INCORPORATED
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


                           Commission File No. 0-26656


                                    Colorado
                          (State or Other Jurisdiction
                                of Incorporation)
                                   33-0327520
                        (IRS Employer Identification No.)
                               5966 La Place Court
                           Carlsbad, California 92008
                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)


                                 (619) 431-9446
                          (Registrant's Telephone No.)




                                                          Exhibit Index Page 3


<PAGE>


Item 1.  Changes in Control of Registrant

     The Company announced that on December 10, 1996 Ballard Medical Products, a
Utah corporation  which is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange acting
through   its   wholly-owned   subsidiary,   Ballard   Acquisition   Corporation
("Ballard"),  purchased  approximately 90.1% of the outstanding capital stock of
the Company in a private stock purchase  transaction.  Ballard  purchased all of
the  preferred and common stock  holdings of Warburg,  Pincus  Investors,  L.P.,
Vertical Fund Associates, L.P. SO-Cal Partners and certain other individuals for
$3.75 per share of common stock or equivalent thereof for a total purchase price
of $11,393,854 and paid off approximately $2,700,000 in debt owed by the Company
to Warburg, Pincus Investors, L.P. and Vertical Fund Associates, L.P. As part of
the  transaction,  the Company's  outstanding  line of credit in the approximate
amount of  $5,500,000  has been paid and certain  officers and  employees of the
Company  have  received  retention  bonus  payments  and  option  payoffs in the
aggregate amount of $630,000.  Immediately following the completion of the stock
purchases,  Ballard  initiated  a short-  form  merger  of  Ballard  Acquisition
Corporation  with and into the  Company  such that the  Company  will become the
wholly-owned subsidiary of Ballard and each of the existing Company shareholders
are either to receive $3.75 per share of common stock or equivalent thereof then
held by such shareholder or to exercise his or her dissenter's rights.

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated:  December 10, 1996                   CARDIOTRONICS SYSTEMS, INC.



                                             By:/s/Tim J. Way
                                                Tim J. Way, Secretary
 
 



<PAGE>


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



        Exhibit Number                                   Description
             2.1                                     Form of Press Release
             2.2                                         Merger Agreement




<PAGE>



                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



SUBJECT:       Ballard  Medical  Products  Purchases  Over Ninety Percent of the
               Outstanding  Capital  Stock of  Cardiotronics  Systems,  Inc. and
               Commences Short-Form Merger.


CONTACT:       Tim J. Way (619) 431-9446



          CARLSBAD, CALIFORNIA, DECEMBER 10, 1996 -- Cardiotronics Systems, Inc.
          (NASDAQ--CDIO)  announced that earlier today Ballard Medical Products,
          Inc., a Utah corporation  whose common stock is publicly traded on the
          New York Stock Exchange  ("Ballard"),  acting through its wholly-owned
          subsidiary, Ballard Acquisition Corporation,  purchased 90.177% of the
          outstanding shares of capital stock of Cardiotronics  Systems, Inc. in
          a private stock  purchase  transaction.  Ballard  purchased all of the
          preferred and common stock holdings of certain  venture  investors and
          other  individuals  for $3.75 per share of common stock or  equivalent
          thereof  and paid off  approximately  $2,700,000  in debt  owed by the
          Company to the  venture  investors.  As part of the  transaction,  the
          Company's  outstanding line of credit of approximately  $5,500,000 has
          been paid and certain  officers  and  employees  of the  Company  have
          received  retention  bonus  payments and option  payoffs.  Immediately
          following the completion of the stock purchase  transactions,  Ballard
          will commence the short-form  merger of its  wholly-owned  subsidiary,
          Ballard Acquisition  Corporation,  with and into the Company such that
          the Company  will become the  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Ballard and
          each of the remaining shareholders of the Company is either to receive
          $3.75 per  outstanding  share of Company  common  stock or  equivalent
          thereof or to exercise his or her dissenter's rights.

          Additional  information  may be  obtained  from the  Company  at (619)
          431-9446.


                                MERGER AGREEMENT

     This Merger Agreement  (hereinafter  called this "Agreement"),  dated as of
the 10th day of December,  1996  ("Closing  Date") by and among Ballard  Medical
Products, a Utah corporation  ("Ballard"),  Ballard Acquisition  Corporation,  a
Colorado  corporation,  all of whose capital stock is owned  directly by Ballard
("Merger Sub"),  and  Cardiotronics  Systems,  Incorporated,  aka  Cardiotronics
Systems, Inc., a Colorado corporation ("Cardiotronics").

     Stock Purchase  Agreements have been executed by and among Ballard,  Merger
Sub, and certain stockholders of Cardiotronics, whereby Merger Sub has purchased
over ninety percent (90%) of the  outstanding  shares of  Cardiotronics  ("Stock
Purchase Agreement").

     The Boards of Directors of Ballard,  Merger Sub and  Cardiotronics  deem it
advisable for the mutual benefit of Ballard,  Merger Sub and Cardiotronics,  and
their respective shareholders,  that Ballard acquire Cardiotronics by the merger
of Merger Sub into Cardiotronics under the terms and conditions  hereinafter set
forth (the "Merger"),  and have adopted resolutions authorizing the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

     Ballard,  the sole shareholder of Merger Sub, deems it advisable and in its
best  interest  for  Ballard to acquire  Cardiotronics  by the  Merger,  and has
adopted resolutions authorizing the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

     In   consideration   of  the  premises   and  of  the  mutual   agreements,
representations,  warranties and covenants contained herein, the parties hereto,
intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   THE MERGER

     Section 1.1  Actions to be Taken.  Subject to the terms and  conditions  of
this  Agreement,  including the fulfillment (or waiver) of all conditions to the
obligations  of  the  parties  contained  herein,  at  the  Effective  Time  (as
hereinafter  defined) and pursuant to Title 7 of the Colorado  Revised  Statutes
(the "Colorado Statutes"), the following shall occur:

          (a)  Merger  Sub shall be merged  with and into  Cardiotronics,  which
     shall be the  surviving  corporation  (the  "Surviving  Corporation").  The
     separate existence and corporate  organization of Merger Sub shall cease at
     the Effective Time, and thereupon  Cardiotronics  and Merger Sub shall be a
     single corporation, the name of which shall be "Cardiotronics."

          (b) At the  Effective  Time,  the  effect  of the  Merger  shall be as
     provided in the  applicable  provisions of the Colorado  Statutes.  Without
     limiting the  generality of the foregoing,  at the Effective  Time, all the
     property,  right,  privileges,  powers and franchises of Cardiotronics  and
     Merger  Sub  shall  vest  in  the  Surviving  Corporation  and  all  debts,
     liabilities,   obligations,   restrictions,   disabilities  and  duties  of
     Cardiotronics and Merger Sub shall become

                                        1
<PAGE>

     the debts, liabilities, obligations, restrictions,  disabilities and duties
     of the Surviving Corporation.

          (c) The Articles of Incorporation of Cardiotronics shall be and remain
     the articles of incorporation of the Surviving Corporation until amended as
     provided by law.

          (d) The  By-Laws of  Cardiotronics  shall be and remain the by-laws of
     the  Surviving  Corporation  until  amended,  as  provided by law or by the
     articles of incorporation or the by-laws of the Surviving Corporation.

          (e) The  directors of Merger Sub  immediately  prior to the  Effective
     Time shall be the initial directors for the Surviving Corporation,  each to
     hold office in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and By-laws of
     the Surviving  Corporation,  and the officers of Cardiotronics  immediately
     prior to the Effective Time shall be the initial  officers of the Surviving
     Corporation,  in each  case  until  their  respective  successors  are duly
     elected or appointed and qualified.

As soon as practicable after the execution of this Agreement, Articles of Merger
or such other  documents  as are  necessary,  properly  approved and executed in
accordance with the Colorado Statutes (the "Articles of Merger"), shall be filed
with the  Secretary of State of the State of  Colorado.  The Merger shall become
effective when the Articles of Merger are so filed.  (The date and time when the
Merger  becomes  effective is referred to in this  Agreement  as the  "Effective
Time".)

     Section 1.2 Common Stock of Surviving  Corporation.  At the Effective Time,
each  issued  and  outstanding  share of  common  stock of  Merger  Sub shall be
converted into one validly issued,  fully paid and nonassessable share of common
stock of the Surviving Corporation.

     Section 1.3 Conversion or  Cancellation of  Cardiotronics  Common Stock and
Cardiotronics Preferred Stock. As of the Effective Time, by virtue of the Merger
and without any action on the part of any holder thereof:

          (a) Any shares of  Cardiotronics'  common stock,  par value $0.012 per
     share ("Cardiotronics Common Stock"), and any shares of Cardiotronics Class
     B Preferred Stock, par value $0.03 per share,  Class C preferred stock, par
     value $0.03 per share,  Class D preferred  stock, par value $0.03 per share
     and Class E preferred stock, par value $0.03 per share  (collectively,  the
     "Cardiotronics   Preferred   Stock"),   (Cardiotronics   Common  Stock  and
     Cardiotronics  Preferred  Stock being  sometimes  collectively  referred to
     herein as  "Cardiotronics  Capital  Stock")  then held in the  treasury  of
     Cardiotronics shall be canceled and retired.

          (b) Any shares of Cardiotronics Preferred Stock issued and outstanding
     immediately  prior  to  the  Effective  Time  (other  than  any  shares  of
     Cardiotronics Preferred

                                        2
<PAGE>


     Stock to be canceled  pursuant to Section  1.3(a)) shall be converted  into
     the  number of shares of  Cardiotronics  Common  Stock  into which they are
     convertible according to their rights and preferences under the Articles of
     Incorporation  of  Cardiotronics.   There  are  outstanding  no  shares  of
     Cardiotronics  Class  B  Preferred  Stock,  2,764,622  shares  of  Class  C
     Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  2,119,828  shares  of  Class D  Convertible
     Preferred  Stock and  6,680,172  shares of  Class E  Convertible  Preferred
     Stock. Each share of Cardiotronics  Preferred Stock is convertible into .25
     shares of  Cardiotronics  Common Stock for a total of  2,891,155  shares of
     Cardiotronics Common Stock.

          (c) Any shares of  Cardiotronics  Common Stock issued and  outstanding
     immediately prior to the Effective Time,

          INCLUDING  shares of  Cardiotronics  Common Stock  resulting  from the
          conversion of Cardiotronics Preferred Stock pursuant to Section 1.3(b)
          above;

          BUT EXCLUDING any shares of Cardiotronics  Common Stock to be canceled
          pursuant to Section 1.3(a) above;

          AND EXCLUDING any shares with respect to which the statutory  right of
          dissent has been perfected, as provided in Section 1.4 below;

     shall be exchanged  for Three  Dollars and  Seventy-Five  Cents ($3.75) per
     share ("Purchase Price").

     Section  1.4  Dissenting  Shares.  Each  holder of shares of  Cardiotronics
Capital Stock who has complied with all requirements for perfecting shareholders
rights of dissent,  as set forth in Article 113 of the Colorado Statutes,  shall
be entitled to such dissenters'  rights under the Colorado Statutes with respect
to such shares (the "Dissenting Shares").

     Section  1.5  Cardiotronics   Options.  At  the  Closing  Date,  each  then
outstanding option ("Cardiotronics Option") granted under the Cardiotronics 1993
Stock  Option  Plan,   1994  Stock  Option  Plan  and  1995  Stock  Option  Plan
(collectively,  the "Cardiotronics  Stock Option Plans"),  which has an exercise
price, regardless whether such option has vested or is exercisable, of less than
the Purchase  Price shall be converted into the right to receive from Merger Sub
an amount equal to the  difference  between the Purchase  Price and the exercise
price  for such  option;  provided  that such  optionholder  agrees to cancel in
writing any remaining options. All remaining  outstanding  Cardiotronics Options
granted under the Cardiotronics Stock Option Plans will remain outstanding.

     Section 1.6 Exchange of Certificates.

          (a) Exchange Agent.  As of the Effective Time,  Ballard shall deposit,
     or shall cause to be deposited, with Corporate Stock Transfer or such other
     bank or trust company

                                        3
<PAGE>


     as  may  be  designated  by  Ballard  and  is  reasonably  satisfactory  to
     Cardiotronics  (the  "Exchange  Agent"),  for the benefit of the holders of
     shares of Cardiotronics Capital Stock, for exchange in accordance with this
     Article I through the  Exchange  Agent,  cash  sufficient  to purchase  all
     outstanding shares of Cardiotronics  Capital Stock purchasable  pursuant to
     Section 1.3.

          (b)  Exchange  Procedures.   As  promptly  as  practicable  after  the
     Effective  Time,  Ballard  shall cause the  Exchange  Agent to mail to each
     holder of a certificate  or  certificates  which  immediately  prior to the
     Effective Time  represented  outstanding  shares of  Cardiotronics  Capital
     Stock (the "Certificates") (i) a letter of transmittal (which shall specify
     that  delivery  shall  be  effected,  and  risk of loss  and  title  to the
     Certificates  shall pass, only upon proper delivery of the  Certificates to
     the Exchange Agent,  and shall be in customary form) and (ii)  instructions
     for use in  effecting  the  surrender of the  Certificates  in exchange for
     cash.   Upon  surrender  to  the  Exchange  Agent  of  a  Certificate   for
     cancellation,  together with such letter of transmittal, duly executed, and
     such other documents as may be required pursuant to such instructions,  the
     holder  of such  Certificate  shall be  entitled  to  receive  in  exchange
     therefor cash equal to that number of shares of Cardiotronics  Common Stock
     formerly  represented  by such  Certificate  (after taking into account all
     shares of Cardiotronics  Common Stock then held by such holder)  multiplied
     by the Purchase  Price.  In the event of transfer of ownership of shares of
     Cardiotronics  Capital  Stock  which  transfer  is  not  registered  in the
     transfer records of  Cardiotronics,  cash equal to that number of shares of
     Cardiotronics  Common Stock multiplied by the Purchase Price may be paid to
     a transferee if the Certificate  representing  such shares of Cardiotronics
     Capital  Stock is  presented  to the  Exchange  Agent,  accompanied  by all
     documents  required to evidence  and effect such  transfer  and by evidence
     that any applicable stock transfer taxes have been paid. Until  surrendered
     as  contemplated by this Section 1.6, each  Certificate  shall be deemed at
     any time after the  Effective  Time to represent  only the right to receive
     cash upon such surrender.

          (c)  Lost  Certificates.   Notwithstanding  the  requirements  of  any
     provision  of this  Section  1.6 that  Certificates  be  deposited  with or
     surrendered to the Exchange  Agent, in the event  Certificates  have become
     destroyed,  lost or stolen, in lieu of such deposit or surrender registered
     holders of such Certificates shall furnish to the Exchange Agent,  evidence
     satisfactory to the Exchange Agent, in its discretion,  of the ownership of
     and the destruction, loss or theft of such Certificates,  and shall furnish
     to the Exchange Agent, an indemnity  satisfactory to it and to Ballard,  in
     their discretion,  and shall comply with such other reasonable  regulations
     as the Exchange Agent may prescribe.

     Section 1.7 Articles of Merger;  Other  Necessary  Documents.  The Board of
Directors  of  Cardiotronics  shall take such actions as are  necessary,  as set
forth in Colorado Business Corporation Act Section 7-111-104,  to effectuate the
Merger;  including,  but not  limited to,  causing the  Articles of Merger to be
filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Colorado and taking such other
and

                                        4
<PAGE>


further  actions as may be required by the Colorado  Statutes in connection with
such filing and in order to consummate the Merger.


                                   ARTICLE II

            REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BALLARD AND MERGER SUB

     Ballard and Merger Sub represent, warrant to, and agree with, Cardiotronics
as follows:

     Section  2.1  Corporate   Organization.   Ballard  is  a  corporation  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Utah,  Merger Sub is a corporation duly organized,  validly existing and in good
standing  under the laws of the  State of  Colorado  and each has all  requisite
corporate  power and authority to own,  operate and lease its  properties and to
conduct its business as it is now being conducted. Each of Ballard's significant
subsidiaries  (the term  "significant  subsidiary" being defined for purposes of
this Agreement in Section 8.7) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of  its  respective  jurisdiction  of
incorporation,  and Ballard  and each of its  significant  subsidiaries  is duly
qualified or licensed as a foreign  corporation in each other jurisdiction where
it owns or leases  substantial  properties,  except  where the  failure to be so
qualified or licensed would not have a material  adverse effect on the financial
condition,  properties or businesses of Ballard and its subsidiaries  taken as a
whole.  Ballard has previously  delivered to  Cardiotronics  a true and complete
copy of its Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws.

     Section 2.2 Authorization,  Execution and Delivery.  Ballard and Merger Sub
each has the corporate  power and authority to enter into this  Agreement and to
carry  out  its  obligations  hereunder.  The  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement and the other  agreements  and  documents  referred to herein to which
Ballard  or  Merger  Sub is or will  be a party  or a  signatory  (the  "Ballard
Ancillary  Agreements")  by Ballard and Merger Sub and the  consummation  of the
transactions  contemplated  hereby have been duly  authorized by the  respective
Board of Directors of Ballard and Merger Sub and no other corporate  proceedings
on the part of Ballard are  necessary to authorize  the  execution  and delivery
Agreement and the transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby.  This Agreement
has been duly and validly  executed and  delivered by Ballard and Merger Sub and
constitutes,  and upon execution and delivery  thereof as  contemplated  by this
Agreement,  the Ballard Ancillary  Agreements will constitute,  the legal, valid
and binding  agreements of Ballard and Merger Sub,  enforceable  against Ballard
and Merger Sub in accordance with its and their respective terms,  except to the
extent  that  enforceability  thereof may be limited by  applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  reorganization  or other similar laws affecting the  enforcement of
creditors'   rights   generally  and  by  principles  of  equity  regarding  the
availability  of remedies  ("Enforceability  Exceptions").  Neither  Ballard nor
Merger Sub is subject to or  obligated  under any  charter,  by-law or  contract
provision or any note, mortgage, lease, agreement, bond, indenture,  instrument,
license,  franchise or permit,  or subject to any order,  judgment,  injunction,
writ or decree, which would be breached or violated by its executing or carrying

                                        5
<PAGE>


out of this  Agreement,  except  for  breaches  or  violations,  if  any,  which
individually or in the aggregate would not have a material adverse effect on the
financial  condition,  properties or businesses of Ballard and its  subsidiaries
taken  as a whole.  Other  than in  connection  with or in  compliance  with the
provisions  and  requirements  of the Colorado  Statutes,  the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the  "Exchange  Act"),  the NYSE and the securities or blue sky laws of
the various states,  no  authorization,  consent or approval of, or filing with,
any public body or governmental  authority is necessary for the  consummation by
Ballard or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except
for such authorizations,  consents,  approvals or filings, the failure to obtain
or make  which  would  not  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  financial
condition,  properties or businesses of Ballard and its subsidiaries  taken as a
whole.

     Section 2.3  Reports;  Accuracy  of  Information.  Ballard  has  previously
furnished to  Cardiotronics  true and complete  copies of its Annual  Reports on
Form 10-K (including all amendments  thereto) filed with the SEC for each of its
fiscal years ended September 30, 1993 through September 30, 1996, inclusive, and
a true and complete  copy of its Quarterly  Reports  (including  all  amendments
thereto) on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC for each of the fiscal  quarters  ended
December 31,  1995,  March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996 (the  "Ballard  Reports").
Each of the balance sheets included in the Ballard  Reports,  as finally amended
(including any related notes and schedules),  fairly  presents the  consolidated
financial position of Ballard as of its date and the other financial  statements
included in the Ballard Reports, as finally amended (including any related notes
and schedules),  fairly present the consolidated  results of operations or other
information  included  therein  of  Ballard  for the  periods or as of the dates
therein set forth, subject,  where appropriate,  to normal year-end adjustments,
in  each  case in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles
consistently  applied during the periods  involved  (except as otherwise  stated
therein).  Ballard also has  previously  furnished to  Cardiotronics  a true and
complete copy of (i) each final  prospectus and definitive proxy statement filed
by Ballard with the SEC since September 30, 1996 and (ii) each report other than
the Ballard Reports filed by Ballard with the SEC since September 30, 1996. None
of the documents referred to in this Section 2.3 contained,  as of its date, any
untrue  statement of a material  fact or any  omission to state a material  fact
required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  in order to make the  statements
therein,  in  light  of the  circumstances  under  which  they  were  made,  not
misleading.

     Section  2.4  Absence  of  Changes.  Except as  described  in any  document
referred to in Section 2.3,  since  September 30,  1996,  there has not been any
material adverse change in the financial condition,  properties or businesses of
Ballard and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

     Section  2.5  Compliance  with Laws.  The  businesses  of  Ballard  and its
subsidiaries  are not  being  conducted  in  violation  of any  applicable  law,
ordinance,  regulation,  decree or order of any  governmental  entity  ("Laws"),
except for violations which either singly or in the aggregate do not and are not
expected  to  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  financial  condition,
properties or businesses of Ballard and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                                        6
<PAGE>



     Section 2.6 Legal Proceedings. Except for matters referred to in any of the
documents referred to in Section 2.3, (i) to the best of Ballard's knowledge, no
material  investigation  or review by any  governmental  entity with  respect to
Ballard  or any of its  subsidiaries  is  pending  or  threatened,  nor  has any
governmental  entity  indicated to Ballard an intention to conduct the same, and
(ii)  there  is no  action,  suit or  proceeding,  pending  or,  to the  best of
Ballard's knowledge, threatened against or affecting Ballard or its subsidiaries
at  law  or in  equity,  or  before  any  federal,  state,  municipal  or  other
governmental department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
which  either  singly or in the  aggregate  is likely to result in any  material
adverse change in the financial  condition,  properties or businesses of Ballard
and its subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                                   ARTICLE III

                 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF CARDIOTRONICS

     Except as set forth in the Disclosure  Memorandum to the Merger  Agreement,
dated  as  of  the  Closing  Date   ("Cardiotronics   Disclosure   Memorandum"),
Cardiotronics  represents,  warrants to, and agrees with, Ballard and Merger Sub
as follows:

     Section 3.1 Corporate  Organization.  Cardiotronics  is a corporation  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Colorado  and is duly  qualified  or licensed as a foreign  corporation  in each
other jurisdiction where it owns or leases substantial properties,  except where
the failure to be so  qualified  or licensed  would not have a material  adverse
effect on the financial condition, properties or businesses of Cardiotronics and
its subsidiaries taken as a whole ("Cardiotronics' Business"). Cardiotronics has
one subsidiary,  R2 Medical Systems,  Inc.  ("R2"),  which is a corporation duly
organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of its
jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and is duly  qualified or licensed as a foreign
corporation  in each  other  jurisdiction  where it owns or  leases  substantial
properties,  except where the failure to be so  qualified or licensed  would not
have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  financial  condition,  properties  or
businesses of Cardiotronics  and its subsidiary taken as a whole.  Cardiotronics
has no  subsidiaries  other than R2.  Cardiotronics  has no interest,  direct or
indirect, and has no commitment to purchase any interest, direct or indirect, in
any other corporation (except R2) or in any partnership,  joint venture or other
business  enterprise  or  entity.  Cardiotronics  and its  subsidiary  have  the
requisite corporate power and authority to carry on their respective business as
it is now being conducted.  Cardiotronics has previously  delivered to Ballard a
true and complete copy of its Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws.

     Section 3.2  Capitalization.  The authorized capital stock of Cardiotronics
consists of 100,000,000  shares of Cardiotronics  Common Stock, of which 476,686
shares were outstanding on November 27, 1996, and 40,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $0.03 per share  ("Cardiotronics  Preferred Stock"), of which 0
shares of Class B Preferred  Stock  ("Cardiotronics  Class B Preferred  Stock"),
2,764,622 shares of Class C Convertible Preferred Stock ("Cardiotronics

                                        7
<PAGE>


Class C Preferred  Stock"),  2,119,828  shares of Class D Convertible  Preferred
Stock  ("Cardiotronics Class D Preferred Stock") and 6,680,172 shares of Class E
Convertible  Preferred  Stock  ("Cardiotronics  Class E Preferred  Stock")  were
outstanding  on November  27,  1996.  As of  November  27,  1996,  each share of
Cardiotronics  Preferred Stock is convertible  into .25 shares of  Cardiotronics
Common Stock for a total of 2,891,155 shares of Cardiotronics  Common Stock. All
of the  outstanding  shares of  Cardiotronics  Common  Stock  and  Cardiotronics
Preferred  Stock have been validly issued and are fully paid and  nonassessable.
The  issuance  and  sale of all  Cardiotronics  Capital  Stock  has been in full
compliance with all applicable federal and state securities laws. As of November
27, 1996,  Cardiotronics  had reserved up to 11,973,369  authorized but unissued
shares of Cardiotronics  Common Stock for issuance:  (i) pursuant to outstanding
options  under the  Cardiotronics  1993 Stock  Option  Plan,  (ii)  pursuant  to
outstanding  options  under the  Cardiotronics  1994 Stock  Option  Plan,  (iii)
pursuant to outstanding  options under the Cardiotronics 1995 Stock Option Plan,
(iv) pursuant to  outstanding  underwriter's  warrants,  (v) pursuant to options
granted  to key  employees  under  their  employment  agreements  and (vi)  upon
conversion  of the  Cardiotronics  Preferred  Stock.  Except as set forth above,
Cardiotronics  does  not  have  any  shares  of  its  capital  stock  issued  or
outstanding.  Except for  options to  purchase  and rights to acquire  shares of
Cardiotronics  Common Stock granted  pursuant to the stock option plans referred
to  above,   outstanding  warrants,   options  granted  pursuant  to  employment
agreements  and  rights to acquire  shares of  Cardiotronics  Common  Stock upon
conversion of Cardiotronics  Preferred Stock (all of the shares of Cardiotronics
Common Stock issuable  pursuant to the foregoing being included in the aggregate
number of shares  reserved for  issuance as of November  27, 1996,  as set forth
above),  Cardiotronics  does not have any  outstanding  subscriptions,  options,
warrants,  rights or other agreements or commitments obligating Cardiotronics to
issue  shares of its capital  stock and there is no  authorized  or  outstanding
security of any kind  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for any  Cardiotronics
capital stock or securities. All of the shares of Cardiotronics' subsidiary, R2,
have been validly issued,  are fully paid and  nonassessable  and are owned free
and clear of all liens, charges, claims and encumbrances.

     Section 3.3  Authorization,  Execution and Delivery.  Cardiotronics has the
corporate  power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to carry out its
obligations  hereunder.  The  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement and the
other agreements and documents  referred to herein to which  Cardiotronics is or
will be a party or a signatory (the  "Cardiotronics  Ancillary  Agreements") and
the  consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  have  been  duly
authorized by its Board of Directors and, no other corporate  proceedings on the
part  of  Cardiotronics  are  necessary  to  authorize  this  Agreement  and the
transactions  contemplated  hereby or thereby.  This Agreement has been duly and
validly  executed  and  delivered by  Cardiotronics  and  constitutes,  and upon
execution  and  delivery   thereof  as  contemplated  by  this  Agreement,   the
Cardiotronics Ancillary Agreements will constitute, the legal, valid and binding
agreements of  Cardiotronics,  enforceable  against  Cardiotronics in accordance
with its and their respective terms,  subject to the Enforceability  Exceptions.
Cardiotronics  is not  subject  to or  obligated  under any  charter,  by-law or
contract provision or any note, mortgage,  lease,  agreement,  bond,  indenture,
instrument,  license,  franchise or permit,  or subject to any order,  judgment,
injunction, writ or decree, which would be breached or violated by its

                                        8
<PAGE>


executing or carrying out this Agreement  except for breaches or violations,  if
any, which  individually  and in the aggregate would not have a material adverse
effect  on  Cardiotronics'  Business.  Other  than  in  connection  with  or  in
compliance with the provisions and  requirements of the Colorado  Statutes,  the
Securities  Act, the Exchange Act, the Nasdaq SmallCap Market and the securities
or blue sky laws of the various states,  no  authorization,  consent or approval
of, or filing with, any public body or  governmental  authority is necessary for
the  consummation  by  Cardiotronics  of the  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement, except for such authorizations,  consents,  approvals or filings, the
failure to obtain or make  which  would not have a  material  adverse  effect on
Cardiotronics' Business.

     Section 3.4 Report,  Accuracy of Information.  Cardiotronics has previously
furnished to Ballard true and complete copies of its Annual Reports on Form 10-K
(including  all  amendments  thereto)  filed with the SEC for each of its fiscal
years ended December 31, 1993 through December 31, 1995,  inclusive,  and a true
and complete copy of its Quarterly Reports (including all amendments thereto) on
Form 10-Q  filed with the SEC for each of the fiscal  quarters  ended  March 31,
1996, June 30, 1996, and September 30, 1996 (the "Cardiotronics  Reports"). Each
of the balance sheets included in the Cardiotronics  Reports, as finally amended
(including any related notes and schedules),  fairly  presents the  consolidated
financial  position  of  Cardiotronics  as of its date and the  other  financial
statements included in the Cardiotronics  Reports, as finally amended (including
any related notes and  schedules),  fairly present the  consolidated  results of
operations  or other  information  included  therein  of  Cardiotronics  for the
periods or as of the dates therein set forth,  subject,  where  appropriate,  to
normal year-end adjustments,  in each case in accordance with generally accepted
accounting  principles  consistently applied during the periods involved (except
as otherwise stated  therein).  Cardiotronics  has also previously  furnished to
Ballard a true and complete  copy of (i) each final  prospectus  and  definitive
proxy statement filed by  Cardiotronics  or any of its significant  subsidiaries
with the SEC since  December  31,  1995,  and (ii) each  report  other  than the
Cardiotronics  Reports filed by  Cardiotronics  with the SEC since  December 31,
1995. None of the documents referred to in this Section 3.4 contained, as of its
date,  any  untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or any  omission  to state a
material  fact  required to be stated  therein or necessary in order to make the
statements  therein,  in light of the circumstances  under which they were made,
not misleading.

     Section 3.5 Liabilities.

          (a)  As  of  September  30,  1996,  Cardiotronics  did  not  have  any
     liabilities  or  obligations of any nature  whatsoever  (whether  absolute,
     accrued,  contingent  or otherwise  and whether due or to become  due),  in
     excess of $10,000  in any  single  instance  and  $25,000 in the  aggregate
     (including   without   limitation  any  tax  liabilities  or  deferred  tax
     liabilities, or any other debts, liabilities, or obligations relating to or
     arising out of any act, omission, transaction,  circumstance, sale of goods
     or services, state of facts, or other condition which occurred on or before
     September 30, 1996, whether or not then known, due, or payable), which were
     not accurately and fully  reflected or reserved  against in accordance with
     generally accepted accounting  principles in the September 30, 1996 Balance
     Sheet included in Cardiotronics' Form 10-Q for the quarter ending September
     30, 1996.

                                        9

<PAGE>


          (b)  As  of  December  31,  1995,   Cardiotronics  did  not  have  any
     liabilities  or  obligations  of any  nature  (whether  absolute,  accrued,
     contingent  or otherwise  and whether due or to become  due),  in excess of
     $10,000 in any single  instance  and  $25,000 in the  aggregate  (including
     without limitation any tax liabilities or deferred tax liabilities,  or any
     other debts, liabilities,  or obligations relating to or arising out of any
     act, omission, transaction,  circumstance, sale of goods or services, state
     of facts, or other condition which occurred on or before December 31, 1995,
     whether or not then known, due, or payable),  which were not accurately and
     fully reflected or reserved  against in the December 31, 1995 Balance Sheet
     included in Cardiotronics' Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1995.

          (c) All of  Cardiotronics'  liabilities  and obligations of any nature
     whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise and whether
     due or to become due),  arising  after  September 30, 1996 and in excess of
     $10,000 in any single instance and $25,000 in the aggregate,  as of October
     31, 1996 are itemized in the Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum, including
     the name, telephone number, and address of the creditor,  the nature of the
     obligation, and the balance owed.

     Section 3.6 Certain Asset Listings and Descriptions.

          (a) The Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum sets forth an accurate and
     complete list and description, as of the Closing Date, of all real property
     in which  Cardiotronics  has a leasehold or other interest or which is used
     by Cardiotronics in connection with the operation of its business, together
     with  a  description  of  each  lease,  sublease,  license,  or  any  other
     instrument  under which  Cardiotronics  claims or holds such  leasehold  or
     other   interest  or  right  to  the  use  thereof  or  pursuant  to  which
     Cardiotronics   has  assigned,   sublet  or  granted  any  rights  therein,
     identifying  the  parties  thereto,  the  rental  or other  payment  terms,
     expiration date and cancellation  and renewal terms thereof.  Cardiotronics
     has  previously  delivered to Ballard true and complete  copies of all such
     leases, subleases, licenses and other instruments.

          (b) The Cardiotronics  Disclosure  Memorandum contains an accurate and
     complete list and description,  as of November 30,  1996, of all machinery,
     tools, equipment, motor vehicles, rolling stock and other tangible personal
     property  (except  for  individual  items  having a book value of less than
     $5,000 or which do not, in the  aggregate,  have a total book value of more
     than  $10,000),  setting  forth with respect to all such listed  property a
     summary description of all leases,  liens, claims,  encumbrances,  charges,
     restrictions,  covenants and conditions  relating  thereto  identifying the
     parties  thereto,  the rental or other payment terms,  expiration  date and
     cancellation and renewal terms thereof.


                                       10
<PAGE>


          (c)  Cardiotronics  has  delivered to Ballard an accurate and complete
     list and description,  as of December 6, 1996, of Cardiotronics'  inventory
     of  finished  goods,  semi-  finished  goods,  work  in  process,  and  raw
     materials.

     Section  3.7  Absence  of Changes or  Events.  Except as  described  in any
document  referred to in Section 3.4, since December 31, 1995  Cardiotronics has
conducted its business only in the ordinary course, and there has not been:

          (a) Any material adverse change in Cardiotronics' Business;

          (b) Any material loss (whether by damage or destruction, in the nature
     of a casualty loss or otherwise,  and whether covered by insurance or not),
     affecting  any  tangible  property  or asset or any  intangible  assets  of
     Cardiotronics;

          (c) Any  entering  into of any  collective  bargaining  or other labor
     agreement,  or any actual or, to the best knowledge of  Cardiotronics,  any
     threatened  strike or other  labor  trouble  or  dispute  which  materially
     affects or might materially affect the condition  (financial or otherwise),
     properties,  business,  operations or prospects of  Cardiotronics,  nor has
     there been any labor union organizing activity;

          (d)  Any  loss  or,  to  the  best  knowledge  of  Cardiotronics,  any
     threatened loss of any permit, license,  qualification,  special charter or
     certificate  of  authority  held or enjoyed or formerly  held or enjoyed by
     Cardiotronics  which loss has had or upon occurrence  would have a material
     adverse  effect on the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),  properties,
     business, operations or prospects of Cardiotronics;

          (e) The  adoption or  rescission  of any statute,  regulation,  order,
     ordinance or other law, which  materially  adversely  affects the condition
     (financial or otherwise),  properties, business, operations or prospects of
     Cardiotronics;

          (f)  Any  material  indebtedness,  liability  or  obligation  (whether
     absolute,  accrued,  contingent or otherwise)  incurred by Cardiotronics or
     any transaction  entered into by Cardiotronics,  other than in the ordinary
     course of business and consistent  with past practice,  or any guarantee by
     Cardiotronics  of any  indebtedness,  liability or  obligation of any other
     person;

          (g) Any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend or other
     distribution in respect of any of the capital stock or other  securities of
     Cardiotronics;

          (h) Any material  obligation,  liability,  lien or  encumbrance  paid,
     discharged or satisfied by or on behalf of Cardiotronics other than current
     liabilities reflected on the

                                       11
<PAGE>


     December  31, 1995 Balance  Sheet and current  liabilities  incurred  since
     December 31, 1995 in the ordinary  course of business and  consistent  with
     past practices;

          (i)  Any  material  mortgage,  lien,  pledge,  charge  or  encumbrance
     affecting  the  properties  of  Cardiotronics  (except  liens  for  current
     property taxes not yet due and payable) created,  suffered or assumed by or
     on behalf of Cardiotronics;

          (j) Any sale,  transfer or other  disposition of any material tangible
     asset of  Cardiotronics or any cancellation or compromise of any debt to or
     claim of  Cardiotronics,  except in the  ordinary  course of  business  and
     consistent with past practice, nor has there been any disposition of any of
     Cardiotronics'  material intangible or intellectual  properties,  assets or
     rights,  nor has  there  been any  waiver or  cancellation  of any right of
     substantial value;

          (k) Any loan made or increased by Cardiotronics, including any loan to
     any officer, director,  employee or agent of Cardiotronics or to any member
     of any of their families;

          (l) Any material capital expenditure,  addition or improvement made or
     committed to be made by or on behalf of Cardiotronics;

          (m) Any material  failure on the part of  Cardiotronics  to operate in
     the ordinary course so as to preserve its Business  organization intact, to
     retain the  services of its  employees  and to preserve  its  goodwill  and
     relationships  with  customers,  suppliers,  creditors  and  others  having
     business relationships with it;

          (n) Any material  write-off as  uncollectible of any notes or accounts
     receivable, or any portions thereof;

          (o) Any material  failure to maintain the financial  books and records
     of  Cardiotronics  in  the  usual,  regular  and  ordinary  manner  and  in
     accordance  with  good  business  practice  or any  material  change in any
     accounting principle or practice of Cardiotronics;

          (p)  Any  notice  received  by  Cardiotronics  of  termination  of any
     material contract, lease, or other agreement;

          (q) Any  change  by  Cardiotronics  in its  banking  or  safe  deposit
     arrangements;

          (r)  Any  institution,   settlement,   or  agreement  to  settle,  any
     litigation,  action,  or proceeding  before any court or governmental  body
     relating to  Cardiotronics'  Business or assets which would have a material
     adverse  effect on the  business,  operations  or  financial  condition  of
     Cardiotronics;


                                       12
<PAGE>


          (s) Any material failure to replenish  Cardiotronics'  inventories and
     supplies  in a normal  and  customary  manner  consistent  with  its  prior
     practice and prudent  business  practices;  nor has there been any purchase
     commitment in excess of the normal,  ordinary,  and usual  requirements  of
     Cardiotronics'  Business;  nor has there been any change in  Cardiotronics'
     selling,  pricing,  advertising,  or personnel practices  inconsistent with
     prior practice and prudent business practices; or

          (t) Any  agreement or  commitment  by  Cardiotronics  to do any of the
     foregoing  items set forth in paragraphs (c), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), (k),
     (l), (n), (q), (r) or (s).

     Section 3.8 Title to Assets and Properties; Condition.

          (a) Cardiotronics owns or leases or otherwise has the right to use all
     of its  assets and  properties,  which are  presently  being used in or are
     reasonably  necessary to carry on its business and  operations as presently
     conducted,  and  such  assets,  properties  and  agreements  are all of the
     assets,  properties  and  agreements  which  are used in or are  reasonably
     necessary to carry on its business and  operations as presently  conducted.
     All assets and  properties  leased or owned are  located in  Cardiotronics'
     offices in Carlsbad, California.

          (b) Each lease or agreement under which  Cardiotronics  is a lessee of
     any  property,  real or  personal,  owned by a third  party is a valid  and
     continuing agreement without any default of Cardiotronics thereunder or, to
     the best knowledge of Cardiotronics,  of the other party thereto,  and this
     Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will
     not cause any default under any such lease or agreement.

          (c)  Cardiotronics  has good and marketable  title to all property and
     assets  which it owns,  free and clear of all  mortgages,  liens,  pledges,
     charges,  claims,  encumbrances  or  restrictions  of any  kind  whatsoever
     (whether accrued,  absolute,  contingent,  or otherwise),  except liens for
     current  property  taxes  not yet due and  payable  and  liens  that do not
     materially  interfere  with the  ability of  Cardiotronics  to conduct  its
     business or qualify as "material" liens.

          (d)  Cardiotronics  has not  received  any notice of  violation of any
     regulation,  ordinance,  law,  order or other  requirement  relating to the
     property,  real or personal, or Cardiotronics'  Business.  Cardiotronics is
     unaware of any changes in any such  regulation,  ordinance,  law,  order or
     other   requirement   affecting  any  such  property  or  any  condemnation
     proceeding,  pending or threatened, which might prohibit Cardiotronics from
     continuing its present use of such property or from using such property for
     the purpose for which it was acquired,  or which might curtail or interfere
     with the present or proposed use of such property.

          (e) The furniture, fixtures, leaseholds,  equipment and other personal
     property of Cardiotronics are in good operating condition and repair.

                                       13
<PAGE>



     Section 3.9 Accounts Receivables.  The Cardiotronics  Disclosure Memorandum
contains an accurate and complete list of all receivables of Cardiotronics as of
December  6,  1996.  All  receivables  of  Cardiotronics   (including   accounts
receivable,  loans  receivable,  and  advances)  have arisen from and  represent
arms-length, bona fide transactions made in the ordinary course of business. The
receivables of Cardiotronics are good and collectible (net of applicable reserve
for bad debts).

     Section 3.10 Taxes. Cardiotronics has filed all federal Tax returns and all
state and foreign tax returns  required to be filed,  and has paid,  or has made
adequate  provision or set up an adequate accrual or reserve for the payment of,
all Taxes  required to be paid in respect of all periods for which  returns have
been made or are due, and has established an adequate accrual or reserve for the
payment of all Taxes payable in respect of the period  subsequent to the last of
said periods  required to be so accrued or reserved (except in either case in an
amount not material),  and in its opinion it has no material liability for Taxes
in  excess  of the  amount  so paid or  accruals  or  reserves  so  established.
Cardiotronics  is not  delinquent  in the payment of any material Tax and is not
delinquent in the filing of any Tax returns,  and no material  deficiencies  for
any Tax have been threatened,  claimed,  proposed or assessed. The Cardiotronics
U.S.,  state and  foreign  income  tax  returns,  respectively,  have never been
audited by the Internal Revenue Service or comparable state or foreign agencies.
For the  purposes  of this  Agreement  (except  for  purposes  of the  preceding
sentence),  the term "Tax" shall  include all federal,  state,  local,  foreign,
income,  gains,  franchise,  excise,  property,  sales, use,  license,  payroll,
occupation,  recording,  value added or transfer  taxes,  governmental  charges,
fees,  levies or assessments  (whether payable directly or by withholding),  and
includes,  with respect to such taxes, any estimated tax, interest and penalties
or additions to tax and interest on such penalties and additions to tax.

     Section 3.11 Compliance with Laws.

          (a) The Business of  Cardiotronics  and its  subsidiary  are not being
     conducted in violation of any applicable Laws,  except for violations which
     either  singly or in the  aggregate  do not and are not  expected to have a
     material adverse effect on Cardiotronics' Business.

          (b)  Cardiotronics is in material  compliance with all Federal,  state
     and local laws and regulations  regarding the release of toxic or hazardous
     materials  or  other  pollutants  or  contaminants   (together   "Hazardous
     Substances") into the atmosphere or the generation, storage or treatment of
     Hazardous  Substances,  and  there  are  no  Hazardous  Substances  in  the
     buildings or soil on, or in the ground water under,  any  properties  which
     are owned or leased by Cardiotronics which could result in an obligation of
     Cardiotronics  to remedy  the  condition.  There is no other  liability  of
     Cardiotronics under any Federal,  state or local law or regulation relating
     to the environment.

     Section 3.12 Legal  Proceedings.  Except for matters  referred to in any of
the  documents  referred to in Section  3.4,  (i) no material  investigation  or
review by any governmental entity with

                                       14
<PAGE>


respect to  Cardiotronics  or any of its subsidiaries is pending or, to the best
knowledge  of  Cardiotronics,   threatened,  nor  has  any  governmental  entity
indicated to  Cardiotronics  an intention to conduct the same, and (ii) there is
no  action,   suit  or  proceeding   pending  or,  to  the  best   knowledge  of
Cardiotronics, threatened against or affecting Cardiotronics or its subsidiaries
at  law  or in  equity,  or  before  any  federal,  state,  municipal  or  other
governmental department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,
which  either  singly or in the  aggregate  is likely to result in any  material
adverse change in Cardiotronics' Business.

     Section 3.13 Agreements with Employees.

          (a) The Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum contains a list of (i) all
     written  employment  agreements,  commission  plans,  bonus  plans  and all
     material  unwritten  employment  agreements  with any  employee or agent of
     Cardiotronics,  and the total compensation  (separately  stating salary and
     bonus or other compensation)  payable to each of them, including the fringe
     benefits (other than those made available to employees  generally) provided
     to each of them, (ii) all officers and directors of  Cardiotronics  and the
     total  compensation  (separately  stating salary and bonus) paid to each of
     them in 1995 and  payable  to each of them in 1996,  including  the  fringe
     benefits (other than those made available to employees  generally) provided
     to each of  them,  (iii) a list of each  present  and  former  employee  of
     Cardiotronics  paid in excess of $30,000 during the year ended December 31,
     1995;  and any  employee of  Cardiotronics  paid in excess of $30,000 on an
     annualized  basis after December 31, 1995, and the job description or title
     and the total  compensation  of each such  employee,  and (iv) all employee
     handbooks,  brochures or booklets setting forth the employment  policies or
     practices of Cardiotronics.

          (b)  Cardiotronics  is not in default  in any  material  respect  with
     respect to its payment or benefit obligations to its employees.

          (c) A listing of departments of Cardiotronics,  including employee job
     classifications, numbers of employees and compensation ranges is referenced
     in the Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum.

          (d) Cardiotronics has no contract or collective  bargaining  agreement
     with any union.  None of the employees of Cardiotronics  are members of any
     union.

          (e) There is no employee of Cardiotronics who cannot be dismissed upon
     receiving reasonable notice of termination.

          (f)  Cardiotronics  has withheld  from payments to employees all Taxes
     (as defined in Section 3.10) and other  deductions  required to be withheld
     under federal,  state, and local law, and has timely paid and remitted such
     amounts (together with required employer  contributions in respect thereof)
     to the appropriate authorities.

                                       15
<PAGE>


 
     Section 3.14 Employee Benefit Plans.

          (a) For purposes of this  Section  3.14,  the term  "ERISA"  means the
     Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended,  and the terms
     "employee  welfare  benefit plan" and "employee  pension benefit plan" have
     the meanings set forth in ERISA Section 3(1) and 3(2), respectively.

          (b)  Cardiotronics  has never maintained or participated in any profit
     sharing (defined contribution) plan or in any employee welfare benefit plan
     or employee pension benefit plan.

          (c) No employee of Cardiotronics  participates  in, and  Cardiotronics
     does not participate in or contribute to, a multi-employer plan (as defined
     in Section 3(37) of ERISA).

          (d)   Cardiotronics   is  not  a  member  of  a  controlled  group  of
     corporations  (as  defined in Section  414(b) of the Code) or under  common
     control (as defined in Section  414(c) of the Code) with any other trade or
     business (whether or not incorporated).

     Section 3.15 Licenses, Patents, Trademarks, Etc.

          (a) The Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum sets forth an accurate and
     complete  list,  as of  the  Closing  Date,  of  all  permits,  franchises,
     approvals,  authorizations,  consents,  licenses,  identification  numbers,
     accreditations  and registrations  ("Licenses"),  if any, issued or granted
     to,  or  held by  Cardiotronics  or any  affiliate  of  Cardiotronics,  and
     indicating  the person or entity to which any such License was issued.  All
     such  Licenses are valid and in full force and effect,  no  proceedings  or
     actions with respect to the suspension, cancellation or any other aspect of
     any of  them  is  pending  or,  to the  best  knowledge  of  Cardiotronics,
     threatened,  and no basis exists therefor and the transactions contemplated
     hereby will not affect such Licenses.

          (b) The Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum sets forth an accurate and
     complete list, as of the Closing Date, of all domestic and foreign patents,
     patent and know- how  licenses,  trade  names,  trademark  and service mark
     registrations, common law trademarks, copyright registrations,  copyrights,
     and  applications  for any of the  foregoing  ("Intellectual  Properties"),
     owned or used in the conduct of the Business of  Cardiotronics,  specifying
     the  jurisdiction  in or by which such  Intellectual  Properties  have been
     registered, filed or issued. All Intellectual Properties are valid.

          (c)  Cardiotronics  has all Licenses and owns,  or possesses  adequate
     rights to use, all Intellectual Properties and all inventions,  technology,
     processes,  products,  designs, computer programs,  know-how, trade secrets
     and formulae necessary to conduct its Business

                                       16
<PAGE>


     and  there  are no  actual  or,  to the best  knowledge  of  Cardiotronics,
     threatened  claims,  assertions or litigation (nor to the best knowledge of
     Cardiotronics  is there  any basis  therefor)  relating  to  Cardiotronics'
     ability  to use the  foregoing.  There are no  pending,  and to the best of
     knowledge  of  Cardiotronics  knowledge,  no  threatened  interferences  or
     oppositions  involving any patents or patent applications of Cardiotronics.
     Cardiotronics  is not infringing upon or otherwise  violating the rights of
     any  third  party  with   respect  to  any  of   Cardiotronics'   products.
     Cardiotronics  has not  received any written  claim or notice  alleging any
     such infringement or violation. No proceedings have been instituted against
     Cardiotronics,  nor,  to the  best  knowledge  of  Cardiotronics,  are  any
     proceedings   threatened  alleging  any  such  infringement  or  violation.
     Cardiotronics  does not know of any basis for any such proceeding or claim.
     There is no infringement  claim or other adverse  judgment or order against
     Cardiotronics  with respect to any of the foregoing.  There are no material
     infringements of any Cardiotronics Intellectual Properties.

          (d)  Cardiotronics  has not  received  any  claim  that  any  employee
     affiliated with  Cardiotronics  has, in respect of his or her activities to
     date,  violated any of the terms or conditions  of an  employment  contract
     with any third  party,  or  disclosed  or  utilized  any trade  secrets  or
     proprietary  information or documentation of any third party, or interfered
     in the  employment  relationship  between  any  third  party and any of its
     employees.

          (e)  Cardiotronics  has taken  reasonable  measures  to  maintain  the
     confidentiality  of its processes and  formulas,  research and  development
     results,  and  other  know-how,  the value of which is  dependent  upon the
     maintenance of the confidentiality thereof.

          (f) Cardiotronics owns all of the technology,  patents, trade secrets,
     and other  intellectual  properties  and assets it  received  in the merger
     transaction  with R2,  and R2 owns all of its  technology,  patents,  trade
     secrets,  and other intellectual  properties and assets,  free and clear of
     any liens, valid claims, encumbrances, or title defects whatsoever.

     Section 3.16 Contracts, Agreements, Etc.
 
          (a) Except as set forth and  briefly  described  in the  Cardiotronics
     Disclosure  Memorandum,  Cardiotronics  is not a party to, or bound by, any
     material  contract,  agreement,  understanding,  commitment or  engagement.
     Other than purchase and sales orders entered into in the ordinary course of
     business,  the Cardiotronics  Disclosure Memorandum lists and describes any
     and all contracts,  agreements,  commitments  and  engagements  material to
     Cardiotronics (the "Contracts"),  as of the Closing Date, including without
     limitation all (i) supply and service contracts to which Cardiotronics is a
     party as vendor or vendee,  (ii)  contracts  for the  purchase  or lease of
     capital  equipment,  (iii)  consulting  contracts and agreements,  (iv) OEM
     contracts,   (v)  employee  health  and  welfare,   pension,  bonus,  life,
     hospitalization  or  other  insurance,   medical,   deferred  or  incentive
     compensation,  profit  sharing,  loan and other  employee  benefit plans or
     arrangements, (vi) contracts or agreements

                                       17
<PAGE>


     regarding  credit or borrowed money,  (vii)  guaranties,  (viii) letters of
     credit,  (ix) surety and  indemnification  agreements,  (x) confidentiality
     agreements,  (xi) covenants not to compete,  (xii) leases of real property,
     as lessor or  lessee,  (xiii)  leases of  personal  property,  as lessor or
     lessee,   (xiv)  all  contracts  and  agreements   regarding  Licenses  and
     Intellectual Properties, (xv) all agreements or commitments regarding debts
     and equity securities of Cardiotronics and any interest therein,  (xvi) all
     contracts and agreements  regarding the  distribution or payment of profits
     or dividends,  (xvii) all contracts and agreements regarding the allocation
     or  sharing  of Taxes or  otherwise  with  respect  to Taxes,  (xviii)  all
     agreements  regarding  financial,  Cardiotronics or advisory services to be
     rendered by or for  Cardiotronics,  (xix) all contracts  regarding  product
     distribution,  (xx)  all  contracts  and  agreements  involving  more  than
     $20,000,  and (xxi) any  contract  or  agreement  not  entered  into in the
     ordinary course of business.

          (b)  All  such   Contracts  are  valid  and  binding   obligations  of
     Cardiotronics  and in full force and effect as of the Closing Date,  and no
     breach or default (or event or  condition,  which after  notice or lapse of
     time, or both would constitute a breach or default) by Cardiotronics or, to
     the best  knowledge of  Cardiotronics,  any other party thereto exists with
     respect  thereto,  and this  Agreement  and the  transactions  contemplated
     hereby will not cause any breach or default thereof.

     Section 3.17 Customers. The Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum contains an
accurate and complete list of the fifty largest  customers of Cardiotronics  for
the calendar  year 1995 and through the first ten months of 1996,  including the
revenues from such customers for those reporting periods.

     Section 3.18 Insurance. The Cardiotronics Disclosure Memorandum contains an
accurate and  complete  list and brief  description  (including  policy  number,
nature of coverage, limits,  deductibles,  premiums,  carriers and effective and
termination dates) of all policies of insurance in effect as of the Closing Date
with respect to  Cardiotronics.  All such policies are in full force and effect.
Cardiotronics  has not  been  denied  any  insurance  or  indemnity  bond and no
insurance   carrier  has   canceled  or  reduced  any   insurance   coverage  of
Cardiotronics.  Cardiotronics  has not  received  any  written  notice  from any
insurer  or agent of any intent to cancel or reduce any  insurance  coverage  or
that any  substantial  improvement  or other  expenditure  with  respect  to any
insured property is necessary in order to continue such insurance.

     Section 3.19 Fees or Commissions.  Except for the obligation to Dillon Read
& Co., Inc.  ("Dillon Read")  previously  disclosed by Cardiotronics to Ballard,
Cardiotronics,  (including  its  officers,  directors  and  employees),  has not
employed any broker, agent or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage
fees,  agent's  commissions  or finder's  fees or other similar  obligations  in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.


                                       18
<PAGE>


     Section  3.20  Illegal  Payments.  Neither  Cardiotronics  nor any officer,
director,  employee or agent of Cardiotronics,  or any other person or entity on
behalf of  Cardiotronics,  has made or  authorized  any  payment of funds of, or
relating  to,  Cardiotronics  which  is  prohibited  by  law,  and no  funds  of
Cardiotronics have been set aside to be used for any payment prohibited by law.

     Section 3.21 Powers of Attorney.  Except for powers of attorney  granted to
its Intellectual Property counsel, neither Cardiotronics nor R2 have granted any
powers of attorney to any entity or person.

     Section  3.22  Bank  Accounts.  The  Cardiotronics   Disclosure  Memorandum
contains a correct and complete list and  description of all bank accounts,  the
balances  thereof as of October 31, 1996, the persons  authorized to access such
accounts and to incur  indebtedness on behalf of Cardiotronics and a correct and
complete list of all safe deposit boxes of  Cardiotronics  has  previously  been
provided to Ballard.

     Section 3.23 No Conflict of Interest. No present (or, to the best knowledge
of Cardiotronics,  former) officer or director, and no shareholder,  subsidiary,
affiliate or related entity  thereof,  has or claims to have (a) any interest in
the  property,  real or  personal,  tangible or  intangible,  including  without
limitation,   Intellectual   Properties,   Licenses,   inventions,   technology,
processes,   designs,  computer  programs,  knowhow  and  formulae  used  in  or
pertaining to the Business of  Cardiotronics,  or (b) any contract,  commitment,
arrangement or understanding  regarding any of the foregoing. No present officer
or director of  Cardiotronics,  and no  subsidiary  has any  ownership  or stock
interest in any other enterprise,  firm, corporation,  trust or any other entity
which is  engaged  in any line or lines of  business  which  are the same as, or
similar to, or competitive with, the line or lines of business of Cardiotronics.
For purposes of this representation,  ownership of not more than five percent of
the voting stock of any publicly held  corporation  whose stock is listed on any
recognized securities exchange or traded over the counter shall be disregarded.

     Section  3.24  Fairness  Opinion.  Cardiotronics'  Board of  Directors  has
received from its financial  advisors,  Dillon Read, a written opinion addressed
to it to  the  effect  that  the  Purchase  Price  is  fair  to the  holders  of
Cardiotronics Capital Stock from a financial point of view.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                           COVENANTS OF CARDIOTRONICS

     Section  4.1  Consents,  Approvals  and  Filings.  Cardiotronics  will  use
commercially  reasonable  efforts to comply as promptly as practicable  with the
governmental  requirements  specified in Section 3.3 which are applicable to the
Merger,  if any,  and to  obtain  all  applicable  orders  of  governmental  and
regulatory authorities referred to in Section 3.3.


                                       19
<PAGE>


     Section 4.2 Access to Records and  Properties.  Ballard  may,  prior to the
Effective Time, through its employees, agents and representatives, make or cause
to be  made a  detailed  review  of the  business  and  financial  condition  of
Cardiotronics,  and  make or  cause to be made  such  investigation  as it deems
necessary or advisable of the properties,  assets, businesses, books and records
of Cardiotronics. Cardiotronics agrees to furnish such assistance as Ballard may
reasonably request in conducting such review and investigation and will provide,
and will cause its independent  public  accountants to provide,  Ballard and its
employees,  agents  and  representatives  full  access  to  all  books,  records
(including  tax returns  filed or in  preparation),  personnel  and  premises of
Cardiotronics  and the audit work  papers and other  records of its  independent
public   accountants  and  shall  provide  to  Ballard  such  other  information
concerning  the  business of  Cardiotronics  and its  subsidiary  as Ballard may
reasonably request.

     Section  4.3  Brokerage.  Cardiotronics  will  indemnify  and hold  Ballard
harmless from any claim for brokerage or finder's or investment  advisor's  fees
or commissions arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby by any person
claiming to have been engaged by Cardiotronics.

     Section 4.4 Payment of Taxes.  Cardiotronics  shall pay all Taxes and other
charges,  incurred prior to the Effective Time,  upon or against its assets,  or
sales or income of Cardiotronics'  Business,  before such Taxes or other charges
become delinquent,  except such Taxes or other charges incurred that result from
the  Merger  and the  summation  of the  transactions  contemplated  under  this
Agreement,  and  shall  pay when due all  current  liabilities  relating  to its
assets,  except those Taxes,  charges and  liabilities  being  contested in good
faith and for which  proper  reserves  are  being  maintained,  or which are not
material in amount.

     Section  4.5  Notification  of  Litigation,  Changes.  Cardiotronics  shall
promptly notify Ballard in writing of the filing of any litigation, arbitration,
or similar  proceeding or the commencement of any dispute which could materially
affect Cardiotronics or its assets or Business.

     Section 4.6 Insurance. Cardiotronics shall maintain insurance with good and
responsible companies, including, but not limited to, general liability, product
liability, workers compensation,  directors and officers liability, and property
damage insurance, to the extent as is customarily retained by it with respect to
its assets prior to the date of this Agreement,  until the Merger has been fully
consummated.

                                    ARTICLE V

                              COVENANTS OF BALLARD

     Section  5.1  Brokerage.  Ballard  will  indemnify  and hold  Cardiotronics
harmless from any claim for brokerage or finder's or investment  advisor's  fees
or commissions arising out of the transactions contemplated hereby by any person
claiming to have been engaged by Ballard.


                                       20
<PAGE>


     Section  5.2  Conduct  of  Business  of Merger  Sub.  From the date of this
Agreement to the Effective  Time,  Merger Sub shall not engage in any activities
of any nature except as contemplated by this Agreement.

     Section 5.3 Guarantee of Merger Sub Obligations. Ballard shall cause Merger
Sub to perform in a timely  manner all its  obligations,  and to comply with all
its agreements, in this Agreement and the Articles of Merger.

     Section 5.4 Employee Benefit Plans.

          (a) Benefit Plans. After the Effective Time, Ballard shall arrange for
     each employee participating in any of the Benefit Plans of Cardiotronics or
     its  subsidiary as are in effect on the date hereof to  participate  in any
     counterpart  Benefit  Plans of Ballard in accordance  with the  eligibility
     criteria thereof,  provided that (i) such  participants  shall receive full
     credit for years of service with  Cardiotronics  or its subsidiary prior to
     the Merger for all purposes for which such service was recognized under the
     Benefit Plan of Cardiotronics or its subsidiary including,  but not limited
     to, recognition of service for eligibility, vesting, and, to the extent not
     duplicative of benefits  received under such Benefit Plan of  Cardiotronics
     or its subsidiary,  the amount of benefits,  (ii) such  participants  shall
     participate in the Benefit Plans of Ballard on terms no less favorable than
     those offered by Ballard to similarly  situated  employees of Ballard;  and
     (iii) Ballard shall cause any and all pre-existing condition limitation and
     eligibility  waiting periods under any group health plans to be waived with
     respect to such  participants  and their eligible  dependents to the extent
     they are already satisfied or waived.

          (b) Change in Control  Provisions.  Ballard and  Cardiotronics  hereby
     acknowledge  that  the  Merger  and the  consummation  of the  transactions
     contemplated  under this Agreement will be treated as a "Change in Control"
     for purposes of each of the applicable Cardiotronics Benefit Plans and each
     applicable  employment,  severance or similar  agreement  applicable to any
     employee  of  Cardiotronics  or its  subsidiary  (collectively,  "Change in
     Control  Agreements")  and agree to abide by the  provisions of any Benefit
     Plans and Change in Control Agreements which relate to a Change in Control,
     including,  but not limited to, the  accelerated  vesting and/or payment of
     equity-based awards.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                MUTUAL COVENANTS

     Section 6.1 Confidentiality. Ballard, Merger Sub and Cardiotronics will use
their best efforts to keep confidential any and all information furnished to one
of  them by the  other  or  such  other's  subsidiaries  or  independent  public
accountants in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
and the business and financial review and  investigation  referred to in Section
4.2, except to the extent any such information may be generally available to the
public, and Ballard,

                                       21
<PAGE>


Merger  Sub  and  Cardiotronics  have  instructed  their  respective   officers,
employees and other representatives  having access to such information to comply
with the obligation of confidentiality.

     Section 6.2 Expenses.  Whether or not the Merger is  consummated,  Ballard,
Merger Sub and Cardiotronics each will bear separately its own expenses incurred
in  connection  with this  Agreement  or any  transaction  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

     Section 6.3 Public  Announcements.  Cardiotronics  and Ballard  agree that,
recognizing   that  each  has  independent   obligations  with  respect  to  the
dissemination  of material  information  to the public and to its  shareholders,
they will,  to the maximum  extent  feasible,  advise and confer with each other
prior to the issuance of any reports, statements or releases (including reports,
statements  or  releases  to  their  respective  employees)  pertaining  to this
Agreement and any transaction contemplated by this Agreement.

     Section 6.4 Further  Assurances.  Each party  hereto  agrees to execute and
deliver  such  instruments  and take such other  actions as any other  party may
reasonably require in order to carry out the intent of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                     CLOSING

     A closing is being held at the offices of Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps
LLP, 600 West Broadway,  Suite 2600, San Diego,  California 92101, or such other
place as may be mutually  satisfactory to the parties.  On the Closing Date such
closing  documents as agreed to by the parties will be executed and delivered by
the parties.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

     Section 8.1 Amendment and Modification.  This Agreement may not be amended,
modified and  supplemented  with respect to any of the terms  contained  herein;
provided,  however, that this Agreement may be amended, pursuant to an amendment
approved in writing by all of the parties to this Agreement and Robert S. Grimes
or any subsequent independent director of Cardiotronics,  with respect to any of
the terms contained herein.

     Section 8.2 Assignment;  Binding Upon Successors and Assigns. Neither party
hereto may assign any of its rights or obligations  hereunder  without the prior
written  consent of the other party hereto.  This Agreement will be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their  respective  successors
and permitted assigns.

                                       22
<PAGE>



     Section  8.3  Survival  of  Provisions.  The  respective   representations,
warranties,  covenants and  agreements of each of the parties to this  Agreement
shall  survive  the  Closing  Date  and  the  consummation  of the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

     Section 8.4  Indemnification.  After the Effective Time, Ballard and Merger
Sub shall  indemnify  and hold harmless any person who was a director or officer
of  Cardiotronics  at any  time  prior  to the  Effective  Time  and the  heirs,
executors and  administrators  of any such person,  to the extent  authorized or
permitted by Cardiotronics'  certificate of incorporation or by-laws or provided
pursuant to the Colorado  Revised  Statutes in effect  immediately  prior to the
Effective Time, against any liabilities, costs or expenses (including attorneys'
fees) imposed upon or  reasonably  incurred by him or her in his or her capacity
as, or arising out of his or her status as, or because of his or her having been
a director or officer of  Cardiotronics  or any of its  subsidiaries at any time
prior to the Effective  Time,  provided that in each such case, such director or
officer   reasonably   believed  that  he  or  she  acted  in  the  interest  of
Cardiotronics  and did not violate his or her fiduciary  duty to  Cardiotronics.
Such  obligations  shall apply to any action,  suit or  proceeding  commenced or
threatened before or after the Effective Time. To the extent available,  Ballard
agrees to cause the  Surviving  Corporation  to  maintain in effect for not less
than three years after the Closing Date  policies of  directors'  and  officers'
liability  insurance  comparable  to  those  maintained  by  Cardiotronics  with
carriers comparable to Cardiotronics' existing carriers and containing terms and
conditions  which  are no  less  advantageous  in any  material  respect  to the
officers, directors and employees of Cardiotronics;  provided, however, that the
Surviving  Corporation  shall not be required to pay an annual  premium for such
insurance in excess of two times the last annual  premium paid prior to the date
hereof,  but in such case shall  purchase as much  coverage as possible for such
amount.  Notwithstanding the above, neither Ballard nor Merger Sub will have any
indemnity liability under this Section 8.4 with respect to any claim, lawsuit or
proceeding  brought  or  commenced  by or  on  behalf  of  any  "affiliates"  of
Cardiotronics  within the meaning of Rule 145  promulgated  by the SEC under the
Securities  Act,  including,  but not limited to, all officers and  directors of
Cardiotronics.

     Section  8.5  Counterparts;  Facsimile  Signature.  This  Agreement  may be
executed in one or more counterparts,  any of which counterparts may be executed
by  facsimile  signatures,  all of which  shall be  considered  one and the same
agreement,  and shall become effective when one or more  counterparts  have been
signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties.

     Section 8.6 Notices. All notices and other  communications  hereunder shall
be in  writing  and  shall be  deemed  given if  delivered  by hand or mailed by
registered or certified  mail (return  receipt  requested) to the parties at the
following  addresses  (or at such  other  addresses  for a  party  as  shall  be
specified  by like  notice)  and shall be  deemed  given on the date on which so
hand-delivered  or on the  third  business  day  following  the date on which so
mailed:


                                       23
<PAGE>

     If to Ballard or Merger Sub:

                  Ballard Medical Products
                  12050 Lone Peak Parkway
                  Draper, Utah  84020
                  Attn:  Dale H. Ballard, President

     with a copy to:

                  Paul Hess, Esq.
                  General Counsel
                  Ballard Medical Products
                  12050 Lone Peak Parkway
                  Draper, Utah  84020
 
     If to Cardiotronics:

                  Cardiotronics Systems, Inc.
                  5966 La Place Court
                  Carlsbad, California 92008
                  Attn:  Ronald R. Bromfield, President and CEO

     with a copy to:

                  Luce, Forward, Hamilton & Scripps LLP
                  600 West Broadway, Suite 2600
                  San Diego, California 2101-3391
                  Attn:   Dennis J. Doucette, Esq.


     Section 8.7  Subsidiaries.  When a reference  is made in this  Agreement to
subsidiaries of Ballard, the word "subsidiaries" means any corporations of which
more than 50% of their outstanding  voting securities are directly or indirectly
owned  by  Ballard  (as the  case  may  be).  When a  reference  is made in this
Agreement  to  significant  subsidiaries  of  Ballard,  the  words  "significant
subsidiaries"  shall refer to subsidiaries  (as defined above) which  constitute
"significant  subsidiaries"  under  Rule 405  promulgated  by the SEC  under the
Securities Act. Notwithstanding  anything contained herein,  Cardiotronics shall
not be considered a "subsidiary" or a "significant subsidiary" of Ballard.



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