DIAMETRICS MEDICAL INC
S-3, 1998-05-06
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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<PAGE>
 
      As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 6, 1998
                                                        Registration No. 333-
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                             ----------------------

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933
                             ----------------------

                            DIAMETRICS MEDICAL, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

      Minnesota                                   41-1663185
(State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

                                2658 Patton Road
                           Roseville, Minnesota 55113
                                 (612) 639-8035
   (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

                                David T. Giddings
                             Chief Executive Officer
                                2658 Patton Road
                           Roseville, Minnesota 55113
                                 (612) 639-8035
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

                                    Copy to:
                                Kenneth L. Cutler
                              Dorsey & Whitney LLP
                             220 South Sixth Street
                          Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402
                                 (612) 340-2740
                               Fax: (612) 340-8738
                             ----------------------

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [x]

     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
======================================================================================================
                                                     Proposed           Proposed
     Title of Each                   Amount           Maximum            Maximum           Amount of
  Class of Securities                 to be        Offering Price       Aggregate         Registration
   to be Registered                 Registered      Per Share (1)   Offering Price (1)        Fee
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>                 <C>              <C>                 <C> 
Common Stock ($.01 par value). . .54,360 shares       $7.625            $414,495            $123.00
======================================================================================================
</TABLE>

(1)  Estimated solely for purposes of computing the registration fee and based
     upon the average of the high and low sales prices for such Common Stock on
     May 1, 1998, as reported on the Nasdaq National Market.

                             ----------------------

     The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
<PAGE>
 
                   SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 6, 1998

PROSPECTUS

                            DIAMETRICS MEDICAL, INC.

                                  54,360 Shares
                                       of
                                  Common Stock
                                ($.01 par value)

                             ----------------------

     This Prospectus relates to an aggregate of 54,360 shares (the "Shares") of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of Diametrics
Medical, Inc., a Minnesota corporation ("Diametrics" or the "Company"), that may
be sold from time to time by the shareholders named herein (the "Selling
Shareholders"). See "Selling Shareholders." The Company will not receive any
proceeds from the sale of the Shares. The Company has agreed to pay the expenses
of registration of the Shares, including legal and accounting fees.

     Any or all of the Shares may be offered from time to time in transactions
on the Nasdaq National Market at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or
at prices related to the then current market price, or in transactions at
negotiated prices. See "Plan of Distribution."

     The Shares offered hereby have not been registered under the blue sky or
securities laws of any jurisdiction, and any broker or dealer should assure the
existence of an exemption from registration or effectuate such registration in
connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

     The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol
"DMED." On May 1, 1998, the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the
Nasdaq National Market was $7.625 per share.

                             ----------------------

            FOR INFORMATION CONCERNING CERTAIN RISKS RELATED TO THIS
                OFFERING, SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 3
                               OF THIS PROSPECTUS.

                             ----------------------

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
         AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR
            HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE
               SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
                ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                             ----------------------

     No person has been authorized to give any information or to make any
representations other than those contained in this Prospectus in connection with
the offer contained herein, and, if given or made, such information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the
Company. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation
of an offer to buy, any securities offered hereby in any jurisdiction in which
it is not lawful or to any person to whom it is not lawful to make any such
offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made
hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that
information herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.

                   The date of this Prospectus is May __, 1998

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective. This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
<PAGE>
 
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission s regional offices at 7World
Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and CitiCorp Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such materials
can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The commission also
maintains a World Wide Web site which provides on-line access to registration
statements, reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission at the
address "http://www.sec.gov." This Prospectus does not contain all the
information set forth in the Registration Statement and exhibits thereto which
the Company has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), and to which reference is hereby made.


               INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents of the Company which have been filed with the
Commission are hereby incorporated by reference in this Prospectus:

          (a) the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
     1997;

          (b) Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held
     May 13, 1998; and

          (c) the description of the Common Stock contained in any registration
     statement or report filed by the Company under the Exchange Act, including
     any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description
     filed subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
     termination of the offering described herein.

     All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Common Stock shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
respective dates of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein or
in a document all or part of which is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated
by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of
this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any
subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by
reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded,
to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

     The Company will provide without charge to any person to whom this
Prospectus is delivered, upon the written or oral request of such person, a copy
of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by reference (other
than certain exhibits to such documents). Requests for such copies should be
directed to Laurence L. Betterley, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, Diametrics Medical, Inc., 2658 Patton Road, Roseville, Minnesota 55113,
telephone (612) 639-8035.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                                  RISK FACTORS

     The statements contained in this Prospectus include forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 (the "PSLRA"). When used in this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplements,
in filings by the Company with the Commission, in the Company's press releases,
presentations to securities analysts and investors, and in oral statements made
by or with the approval of an executive officer of the Company, the words or
phrases "believes," "anticipates," " intends," "will likely result,"
"estimates," "projects" or similar expressions are intended to identify such
forward-looking statements. Any of these forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual results to differ
materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

     The following discussion contains certain cautionary statements regarding
the Company's business and results of operations that investors and others
should consider. These statements discuss matters which may in part be discussed
elsewhere in this Prospectus and which may have been discussed in other
documents prepared by the Company pursuant to federal or state securities laws.
This discussion is intended to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of
the PSLRA. In making these cautionary statements, the Company is not undertaking
to address or update each factor in future filings with the Commission or
communications regarding the Company's business or results.

EARLY STAGE OF COMMERCIALIZATION; LIMITED RELEVANT OPERATING HISTORY

     The Company was founded in 1990 and until 1995 was engaged primarily in the
research, development and testing of, and the development of manufacturing
capabilities for, the IRMA(R) (Immediate Response Mobile Analysis) System and
the Paratrend(R) 7. Marketing efforts began for both products during 1994. The
Company has limited operating history upon which an evaluation of its prospects
can be made. Such prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses
and difficulties frequently encountered in establishing a new business in the
evolving, heavily-regulated medical device industry, which is characterized by
an increasing number of entrants, intense competition and a high failure rate.

ABSENCE OF PROFITABILITY; ANTICIPATED FUTURE LOSSES

     The Company has only recently begun to generate revenues and has incurred
net operating losses since its inception. Net losses for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 were approximately $21,037,000, $23,575,000 and
$23,046,000, respectively. The Company had an accumulated deficit of
approximately $101,056,000 at December 31, 1997. The Company expects to incur
substantial net operating losses at least through 1998. There is no assurance
that the Company will ever generate substantial revenues or achieve
profitability.

NEW TECHNOLOGY; UNCERTAIN MARKET ACCEPTANCE

     The Company's success is dependent upon acceptance of its products by the
medical community as reliable, accurate and cost-effective. Because the products
are point of care blood testing and monitoring devices, they represent a new
practice in the analysis of blood analytes. Critical or stat blood testing is
currently performed primarily by central and stat laboratories of hospitals or
by independent commercial laboratories, rather than at the point of care.
Although professional awareness of point of care blood testing is increasing,
most acute care hospitals have already installed costly benchtop blood testing
instruments for use in their central and stat laboratories and may be reluctant
to change standard operating procedures for performing blood analysis or incur
additional capital expenditures for new blood analysis equipment. In addition,
the limited number of analytes that can be analyzed on the products may cause
certain hospitals not to consider them. The Company is unable to predict how
quickly, if at all, the products will be accepted by members of the medical
community or, if accepted, what the utilization of disposable cartridges and
sensors may be. Therefore, the Company is unable to

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
provide any assurance as to sales volume of the products or the related
disposable cartridges and sensors.

FUTURE ADDITIONAL CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

     The Company expects that its existing capital resources, warrant and stock
option exercises, future equipment financing and asset based credit
arrangements, and strategic alliances will enable the Company to maintain its
current and planned operations through 1998. Nonetheless, the Company's capital
requirements depend on numerous factors, including the rate of market acceptance
of the Company's products, the level of resources devoted to expanding the
Company's marketing organization and manufacturing capabilities, the Company's
research and development activities, the availability of financing for capital
acquisitions and other factors. The timing and amount of such capital
requirements cannot accurately be predicted. If capital requirements vary
materially from those currently planned, the Company will require additional
capital at an earlier time. The Company has no commitments for any additional
financing, and no assurance exists that any such commitments can be obtained on
favorable terms, if at all. Any additional equity financings may be dilutive to
shareholders, and debt financing, if available, may involve restrictive
covenants. The Company is also pursuing corporate strategic alliances. Such
alliances may require the Company to relinquish rights to certain of its
technologies, products or marketing territories.

HIGHLY COMPETITIVE MARKETS; RISK OF TECHNOLOGICAL OBSOLESCENCE

     The medical technology industry is characterized by rapidly evolving
technology and intense competition. The Company is aware of one other
commercially available hand-held point of care blood analysis system, which is
manufactured and marketed by i-STAT Corporation ("i-STAT"). The Company expects
that manufacturers of central and stat laboratory testing equipment will also
compete to maintain their revenues and market share. Many of the companies in
the medical technology industry and manufacturers of central and stat laboratory
equipment have substantially greater capital resources, research and development
staffs and facilities than the Company. Such entities have developed, may be
developing or could in the future attempt to develop additional products
competitive with the Company's. Many of these companies also have substantially
greater experience than the Company in research and development, obtaining
regulatory approvals, manufacturing, and sales and marketing, and may therefore
represent significant competition. There can be no assurance that the Company's
competitors will not succeed in developing or marketing technologies and
products that are more effective or less expensive than those developed or
marketed by the Company or that would render the Company's technology and
products obsolete or noncompetitive. Although the Company believes that its
products may offer certain technological advantages over its competitors'
currently-marketed products, earlier entrants in the market in a therapeutic
area often obtain and maintain significant market share relative to later
entrants. In the future, the Company may experience competitive pricing
pressures that may adversely affect unit prices and sales levels.

LIMITED MANUFACTURING EXPERIENCE

     The Company must manufacture its products in compliance with regulatory
requirements, in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis, while maintaining
product quality and acceptable manufacturing costs. The products consist of two
principal components: portable, microprocessor-based instruments and disposable
sensors. The Company has limited experience producing in large commercial
quantities. Although the Company believes that, based on its manufacturing
experience to date, it will be able to achieve and maintain product accuracy and
reliability when producing in the quantities required for profitable operations,
on a timely basis and at an acceptable cost, there can be no assurance that it
will be able to do so. The instruments are manufactured for the Company by
outside vendors, and there can be no assurance that such vendors will be able to
provide the Company with a sufficient quantity to meet the Company's needs.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
DEPENDENCE ON PATENTS AND PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY

     The Company's success will depend in part on its ability to obtain patent
protection for products and processes, to preserve its trade secrets and to
operate without infringing the proprietary rights of third parties. The validity
and breadth of claims covered in medical technology patents involves complex
legal and factual questions and, therefore, may be highly uncertain. No
assurance can be given that any patents under pending patent applications or any
future patent applications will be issued, that the scope of any patent
protection will exclude competitors or provide competitive advantages to the
Company, that any of the Company's patents will be held valid if subsequently
challenged or that others will not claim rights in or ownership to the patents
and other proprietary rights held by the Company. Furthermore, there can be no
assurance that others have not developed or will not develop similar products,
duplicate any of the Company's products or, if patents are issued to the
Company, design around such patents. In addition, whether or not the Company's
patents are issued, others may hold or receive patents which contain claims
having a scope that covers products developed by the Company. The Company also
relies upon unpatented trade secrets to protect its proprietary technology, and
no assurance can be given that others will not independently develop or
otherwise acquire substantially equivalent techniques or otherwise gain access
to the Company's proprietary technology or disclose such technology or that the
Company can ultimately protect meaningful rights to such unpatented proprietary
technology.

RISK OF PATENT LITIGATION

     There has been substantial litigation regarding patent and other
intellectual property rights in the medical device industry. Litigation, which
could result in substantial cost to and diversion of effort by the Company, may
be necessary to enforce patents issued to the Company, to protect trade secrets
or know-how owned by the Company, to defend the Company against claimed
infringement of the rights of others or to determine the ownership, scope or
validity of the proprietary rights of the Company and others. An adverse
determination in any such litigation could subject the Company to significant
liabilities to third parties, could require the Company to seek licenses from
third parties and could prevent the Company from manufacturing, selling or using
its products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company is not
currently a party to any patent litigation.

DEPENDENCE ON MANAGEMENT AND OTHER KEY PERSONNEL

     The success of the Company and of its business strategy is dependent in
large part on the ability of the Company to attract and retain key management
and operating personnel. Such individuals are in high demand and are often
subject to competing offers. In addition, the Company will have an ongoing need
to expand its management personnel and support staff. The loss of the services
of one or more members of the management group or the inability to hire
additional personnel as needed may have an adverse effect on the Company.

UNCERTAINTY OF GOVERNMENT HEALTH CARE POLICY AND FUTURE REIMBURSEMENT

     The willingness of hospitals to purchase the Company's products may depend
on the extent to which hospitals limit capital expenditures due to cost
reimbursement regulations, including regulations promulgated by the Health Care
Financing Administration ("HCFA"), and general uncertainty relating to
government health care policy. In addition, sales volumes and prices of the
Company's products in certain markets will be dependent in part on the level of
availability of reimbursement to hospitals for blood analysis from third-party
payors, such as government and private insurance plans, health maintenance
organizations and preferred provider organizations. There can be no assurance
that current reimbursement amounts, if any, will not be decreased in the future,
and that any such decrease will not reduce the demand for or the price of the
Company's products. Any health care reform measures adopted by the federal
government could adversely affect the price of medical devices in the United

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
States or the amount of reimbursement available, and consequently could be
adverse to the Company. No prediction can be made as to the outcome of any
reform initiatives or their impact on the Company.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION AND NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

     Human diagnostic products are subject, prior to clearance for marketing, to
rigorous pre-clinical and clinical testing mandated by the United States Food
and Drug Administration (the "FDA") and comparable agencies in other countries
and, to a lesser extent, by state regulatory authorities. The Company has
obtained pre-market notification clearances under Section 510(k) ("Section
501(k)") of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the "FDC Act") to market the IRMA
SL System to test blood gases, electrolytes and hematocrit in whole blood in
hospital laboratories and at the point of care and the Paratrend 7 and Paratrend
7+ to monitor blood gases. In early 1998 additional pre-market notifications
were obtained for the addition of glucose testing capability to the IRMA SL
System, and Neotrend for blood gas monitoring of critically ill neonates. A
510(k) clearance is subject to continual review and later discovery of
previously unknown problems may result in restrictions on the product's
marketing or withdrawal of the product from the market. The Company's long-term
business strategy includes development of cartridges and sensors for performing
additional blood and tissue chemistry tests, and any such additional tests will
be subject to the same regulatory process. No assurance can be given that the
Company will be able to develop such additional products or uses on a timely
basis, if at all, or that the necessary clearances for such products and uses
will be obtained by the Company on a timely basis or at all, or that the Company
will not be subjected to a more extensive prefiling testing and FDA approval
process. The Company also plans to market its products in several foreign
markets. Requirements vary widely from country to country, ranging from simple
product registrations to detailed submissions such as those required by the FDA.
Manufacturing facilities are also subject to FDA inspection on a periodic basis
and the Company and its contract manufacturers must demonstrate compliance with
current Good Manufacturing Practices ("GMP") promulgated by the FDA. The Company
will be required to expend time, resources and effort in the areas of production
and quality control to ensure full technical compliance. If violations of the
applicable regulations are noted during FDA inspections of the Company's
manufacturing facilities or the manufacturing facilities of its contract
manufacturers, the continued marketing of the Company's products may be
adversely affected.

EFFECT OF CLINICAL LABORATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1988

     The Company's products are affected by the Clinical Laboratory Improvement
Amendment of 1988 ("CLIA") which has been implemented by the FDA. This law is
intended to assure the quality and reliability of all medical testing in the
United States regardless of where tests are performed. The regulations require
laboratories performing blood chemistry tests to meet specified standards in the
areas of personnel qualification, administration, participation in proficiency
testing, patient test management, quality control, quality assurance and
inspections. The regulations have established three levels of regulatory control
based on test complexity - "waived," "moderate complexity" and "high
complexity." Although the tests performed by the products have been categorized
as moderate complexity tests, there can be no assurance that they will continue
to be so categorized. Personnel standards for high complexity tests are more
rigorous than those for moderate complexity tests, requiring that testing
personnel have more education and experience than personnel conducting moderate
complexity tests. Any recategorization of the tests performed by the Company's
products as high complexity tests could affect the Company's ability to
successfully market them. As a result of the CLIA requirements, hospitals may be
discouraged from expanding point of care analysis and previously unregulated
testing markets, including physician office laboratories and small volume test
sites, and may be dissuaded from initiating, continuing or expanding patient
testing. There can be no assurance that the CLIA regulations or future
administrative interpretations of CLIA or various state regulations requiring
licensed technicians to operate point of care devices will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
PRODUCT LIABILITY RISK; NO ASSURANCE INSURANCE IS ADEQUATE

     The Company faces an inherent business risk of exposure to product
liability claims in the event that the use of its products is alleged to have
resulted in adverse effects to a patient. Although the Company has not
experienced any product liability claims to date, any such claims could have an
adverse impact on the Company. The Company maintains a general insurance policy
which includes coverage for product liability claims. The policy is limited to a
maximum of $1,000,000 per product liability claim and an annual aggregate policy
limit of $2,000,000. The Company also carries umbrella liability insurance which
provides coverage up to $10,000,000. There can be no assurance that liability
claims will not exceed the coverage limits of such policies or that such
insurance will continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or at
all. Consequently, a product liability claim or other claim with respect to
uninsured liabilities or in excess of insured liabilities could have a material
adverse effect on the Company.

DEPENDENCE ON CONTRACT MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS

     The Company's instruments, both monitors and IRMA analyzers, are
manufactured for the Company by single vendors, generally from off-the-shelf
components. A few components are supplied by a single source and manufactured to
the Company's specifications. Although the Company believes that it could find
alternative vendors, any interruption in supply could have a material adverse
effect on the Company. Although the Company believes that alternative sources
for key components are available, any interruption in supply of these components
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's ability to manufacture its
products.

CONTROL BY EXISTING SHAREHOLDERS

     As of December 31, 1997, directors, executive officers and principal
shareholders of the Company, and certain of their affiliates, owned beneficially
approximately 30% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. Accordingly, these
shareholders, individually and as a group, may be able to influence the outcome
of shareholder votes, including votes concerning the election of directors,
adopting or amending provisions in the Company's Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws and approving certain mergers or other similar transactions, such as
sales of substantially all of the Company's assets. Such control by existing
shareholders could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change
in control of the Company.

POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE IN THE PUBLIC MARKET

     The securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price
and volume fluctuations that may be unrelated to the operating performance of
particular companies. The market prices of the common stock of many publicly
traded medical device companies have in the past been, and can in the future be
expected to be, especially volatile. Announcements of technological innovations
or new products by the Company or its competitors, developments or disputes
concerning patents or proprietary rights, regulatory developments and economic
and other external factors, as well as period-to-period fluctuations in the
Company's financial results, may have a significant impact on the market price
of the Common Stock. Sales of Common Stock in the public market could adversely
affect prevailing market prices.

POSSIBLE ISSUANCES OF PREFERRED STOCK; ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT OF MINNESOTA LAW

     The Board of Directors has authority to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of
preferred stock and to fix the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions,
including voting rights, of those shares without any further vote or action by
the shareholders. The rights of the holders of Common Stock will be subject to,
and may be adversely affected by, the rights of the holders of any preferred
stock that may be issued in the future. The issuance of preferred stock could
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
change in control of the Company. In addition, certain provisions of Minnesota
law applicable to the Company could have the effect of discouraging certain
attempts to acquire the Company which could deprive the Company's shareholders
of opportunities to sell their shares of Common Stock at prices higher than
prevailing market prices.


                                   THE COMPANY

     Diametrics Medical, Inc. (the "Company") develops, manufactures and markets
blood and tissue analysis systems that provide immediate or continuous
diagnostic results at the point of patient care. Since its commencement of
operations in 1990, the Company has transitioned from a development stage
company to a full-scale development, manufacturing and sales organization. The
Company's goal is to be the world leader in critical care blood and tissue
analysis systems.

     Blood and tissue analysis is an integral part of patient diagnosis and
treatment, and access to timely and accurate results is critical to effective
patient care. The Company believes that its blood and tissue analysis systems
will result in more timely therapeutic interventions by providing accurate,
precise and immediate or continuous test results, thereby allowing faster
patient transfers out of expensive critical care settings and reducing patient
length of stay. In addition, point of care testing can save money for hospitals
by reducing the numerous steps, paperwork and personnel involved in collecting,
transporting, documenting and processing blood and tissue samples. Moreover,
point of care blood and tissue analysis could ultimately eliminate the need for
hospitals to maintain expensive and capital intensive stat laboratories.

     The Company's primary product focus since its inception in 1990 has been
the development, manufacturing and marketing of the IRMA(R) (Immediate Response
Mobile Analysis) System, an electrochemical-based blood analysis system that
provides rapid and accurate diagnostic results at the point of patient care. The
IRMA(R) SL System consists of a portable, microprocessor-based analyzer that
employs single-use, disposable cartridges to perform simultaneously several of
the most frequently ordered blood tests in a simple 90-second procedure.

     The Company's first disposable electrochemical cartridge, introduced in May
1994, performs three of the most frequently ordered blood tests for critical
care patients--the measurement of oxygen, carbon dioxide and acidity (the "blood
gases"). In June 1995, the Company expanded the IRMA System test menu with the
introduction of its electrolyte cartridge which measures sodium, potassium and
ionized calcium. The Company further expanded its critical or "stat" test menu
during the third quarter of 1996 with the release of the second-generation
system, IRMA SL, and the addition of the measurement of hematocrit to its
electrolyte cartridge. With the addition of hematocrit, the IRMA SL System is
able to perform 95% of the critical or stat tests performed annually in the
United States, comprising an estimated $1.2 billion annual market. In 1997, the
Company introduced its third-generation system, IRMA SL Series 2000, and a new
combination testing cartridge. The combination cartridge is based upon the
Company's new "snapfit" cartridge design and gives clinicians the ability to
perform all critical blood gas, electrolyte and hematocrit tests using one small
blood sample and one single-use cartridge.

     In the fourth quarter of 1996, the Company expanded its product line with
the introduction of a number of new products through the acquisition of
Biomedical Sensors, Ltd. (BSL), a Pfizer company. With the acquisition of BSL
(now known as Diametrics Medical, Ltd.), the Company acquired a world-class
continuous monitoring fiberoptic technology platform, which complements the
Company's existing electrochemical sensor platform. This product line includes
indwelling continuous blood monitoring systems, consisting of a monitor,
calibration system and intravascular disposable sensors. Primary products
include Paratrend 7+(TM), which provides direct continuous monitoring of blood
gases and temperature in critically ill adult and pediatric patients, and
Neotrend(TM), which provides direct continuous monitoring of blood gases and
temperature in critically ill premature babies.

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     The Company has obtained clearances under Section 510(k) of the FDC Act to
market the IRMA SL System to test blood gases, electrolytes and hematocrit in
whole blood in hospital laboratories and at the point of care, and the Paratrend
7 to monitor blood gases and temperature. During 1997 additional Section 510(k)
pre-market notification clearances were obtained for the addition of glucose
testing capability to the IRMA SL System, and the expansion of the Paratrend 7
product line to include blood gas monitoring of critically ill neonates. The
Neotrend product is the first and only multi-parameter system for direct
continuous monitoring of blood gases and temperature in critically ill premature
babies. Additionally, in the first quarter of 1998, the Company received FDA
clearance to market the new IRMA-M multi-use cartridge for its IRMA SL System.
The addition of a multi-use cartridge further enhances the IRMA SL System by
allowing up to 50 separate test panels to be performed on a single cartridge
before disposal.

     The Company submitted a pre-market notification for the Neurotrend
monitoring system in January 1998 that is currently under review by the FDA. The
Neurotrend monitoring system is designed for direct continuous monitoring for
cerebral ischemia and hypoxia in patients with severe head injury and also for
use during surgical intervention in the brain. Neurotrend continuously measures
oxygen, carbon dioxide, acidity and temperature. See "Risk Factors" for
additional information regarding governmental regulation of the Company's
products.

     The Company's principal executive office is located at 2658 Patton Road,
Roseville, Minnesota 55113, and its telephone number is (612) 639-8035.


                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

     The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
ownership of the Company's Common Stock by the Selling Shareholders as of May 1,
1998, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of the Shares pursuant to this
Prospectus.

                                                  Maximum
                                                  Number            Shares
                                  Number         of Shares           Owned
                                 of Shares      to be Sold    After Offering (1)
                                Owned Prior     Pursuant to   ------------------
             Name               to Offering   this Prospectus  Number   Percent
             ----               -----------   ---------------  ------   -------

Vector Securities International,
    Inc ........................    29,360        29,360           0       *

Allan C. Phillips Revocable
    Trust ......................    25,000        25,000           0       *
                                    ------        ------

Total ..........................    54,360        54,360           0       *

- -------------
*     Less than 1%.

(1)  Assumes the sale of all shares covered by this Prospectus.

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The Shares will be offered and sold by the Selling Shareholders for their
own accounts. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the
Shares pursuant to this Prospectus. The Company has agreed to pay the expenses
of registration of the Shares, including legal and accounting fees, but the
registration of the Shares does not necessarily mean that any of the Shares will
be offered or sold by the Selling Shareholders.

     The Selling Shareholders, or their pledgees, donees, transferees or
successors in interest, may offer and sell the Shares from time to time on the
Nasdaq National Market at market prices prevailing at the time of sale or at
prices related to the then current market price, or in transactions at
negotiated prices. The Shares may be sold by one or more of the following
methods: (a) a block trade in which the broker or dealer so engaged will attempt
to sell the Shares as agent, but may position and resell a portion of the block
as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker or dealer
as principal and resale by such broker or dealer for its own account pursuant to
this Prospectus; (c) an over-the-counter distribution in accordance with the
rules of the Nasdaq National Market; (d) ordinary brokerage transactions and
transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; and (e) in privately
negotiated transactions. In addition, any securities covered by this Prospectus
which qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 may be sold under Rule 144 rather
than pursuant to this Prospectus. There is no assurance that the Selling
Shareholders will sell any or all of the Shares offered by them.

     Sales may be made to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the
Selling Shareholders or the purchasers of Shares for whom such brokers or
dealers may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal, or both. As of
the date of this Prospectus, the Company is not aware of any agreement,
arrangement or understanding between any broker or dealer and the Selling
Shareholders.

     The Selling Shareholders and any brokers or dealers acting in connection
with the sale of the Shares hereunder may be deemed to be "underwriters" within
the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act, and any commissions received
by them and any profit realized by them on the resale of Shares as principals
may be deemed underwriting compensation under the Securities Act.

     Whenever a particular offering of Shares is to be made pursuant to this
Prospectus, to the extent required, this Prospectus will be updated to reflect
the name of the Selling Shareholders for whose account Shares are to be so
offered, the number of Shares so offered for such Selling Shareholders' account
and, if such offering is to be made by or through underwriters or dealers, the
names of such underwriters or dealers and the principal terms of the
arrangements between the underwriters or dealers and the Selling Shareholders.

                                     EXPERTS

     The financial statements incorporated herein and in the registration
statement by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company have
been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants,
and have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. To
the extent that KPMG Peat Marwick LLP audits and reports on the future financial
statements of the Company and consents to the use of their report thereon, such
financial statements will also be incorporated by reference in the registration
statement in reliance upon their report and said authority.

                               VALIDITY OF SHARES

     The validity of the Shares offered hereby has been passed upon for the
Company by Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 220 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55402. Members of Dorsey & Whitney LLP beneficially own 20,337 shares of the
Company's common stock.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
================================================================================

     No dealer, salesperson or any other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained in this
Prospectus, and, if given or made, such information or representations must not
be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company, the Selling
Shareholders or any other person. This Prospectus does not constitute an offer
to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy to any person in any jurisdiction
in which such offer or solicitation would be unlawful or to any person to whom
it is unlawful. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any offer or sale
made hereunder shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there
has been no change in the affairs of the Company or that the information
contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.

                                   ----------


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
Available Information ........................................................2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
     Reference ...............................................................2
Risk Factors .................................................................3
The Company ..................................................................8
Selling Shareholders .........................................................9
Plan of Distribution .........................................................10
Experts ......................................................................10
Validity of Shares ...........................................................10

================================================================================


================================================================================


                                  54,360 Shares



                            DIAMETRICS MEDICAL, INC.



                                  Common Stock




                                  ------------
                                   PROSPECTUS
                                  ------------




                                  May__, 1998

================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II.

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

              SEC Registration Fee .......................  $  123
              Accounting Fees and Expenses ...............   2,000
              Legal Fees and Expenses ....................   5,000
              Miscellaneous  .............................     877
                                                            ------
                    Total.................................  $8,000
                                                            ======

     All fees and expenses other than the SEC registration fee are estimated.
The expenses listed above will be paid by the Company.

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Section 302A.521, subd. 2, of the Minnesota Statutes requires the Company
to indemnify a person made or threatened to be made a party to a proceeding by
reason of the former or present official capacity of the person with respect to
the Company, against judgments, penalties, fines, including, without limitation,
excise taxes assessed against the person with respect to an employee benefit
plan, settlements, and reasonable expenses, including attorneys' fees and
disbursements, incurred by the person in connection with the proceeding with
respect to the same acts or omissions if such person (1) has not been
indemnified by another organization or employee benefit plan for the same
judgments, penalties or fines; (2) acted in good faith; (3) received no improper
personal benefit, and statutory procedure has been followed in the case of any
conflict of interest by a director; (4) in the case of a criminal proceeding,
had no reasonable cause to believe the conduct was unlawful; and (5) in the case
of acts or omissions occurring in the person's performance in the official
capacity of director or, for a person not a director, in the official capacity
of officer, board committee member or employee, reasonably believed that the
conduct was in the best interests of the Company, or, in the case of performance
by a director, officer or employee of the Company involving service as a
director, officer, partner, trustee, employee or agent of another organization
or employee benefit plan, reasonable believed that the conduct was not opposed
to the best interests of the Company. In addition, Section 302A.521, subd. 3,
requires payment by the Company, upon written request, of reasonable expenses in
advance of final disposition of the proceeding in certain instances. A decision
as to required indemnification is made by a disinterested majority of the Board
of Directors present at a meeting at which a disinterest quorum is present, or
by a designated committee of the Board, by special legal counsel, by the
shareholders, or by a court.

     Provisions regarding indemnification of officers and directors of the
Company are contained in the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation and
Bylaws, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

     The Company maintains a directors and officers insurance policy.

Item 16.  List of Exhibits

      5   Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP regarding validity.

     23.1 Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

     23.2 Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit5 to this
          Registration Statement).

     24   Power of Attorney.
<PAGE>
 
Item 17.  Undertakings

               The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
     made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

               (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
          Securities Act of 1933;

               (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
          after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most
          recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
          aggregate, represent a fundamental change to such information in the
          registration statement;

               (iii) To include any material information with respect to the
          plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
          statement or any material change in the information set forth in the
          registration statement;

          Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not
          apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 or Form S-8, and
          the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment
          by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the
          registrant pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
          registration statement.

          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
     therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission,
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or
paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the
successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.


                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this amendment to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Roseville, State of Minnesota on the
6th day of May, 1998.

                                            DIAMETRICS MEDICAL, INC.

                                            By  /s/ Laurence L. Betterley
                                                -------------------------
                                                Laurence L. Betterley
                                                Chief Financial Officer

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following
persons in the capacities indicated on the 6th day of May, 1998.



/s/  David T. Giddings                President, Chief Executive Officer
- ----------------------------          and Chairman of the Board
David T. Giddings                     of Directors
                                      (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/  Laurence L. Betterley            Chief Financial Officer
- ----------------------------          (Principal Financial Officer)
Laurence L. Betterley

/s/ Jill M. Nussbaum                  Corporate Controller
- ----------------------------          (Principal Accounting Officer)
Jill M. Nussbaum


*Richard A. Norling                   Director

 Mark B. Knudson, Ph.D.               Director

*Andre de Bruin                       Director

*Gerald L. Cohn                       Director

*Roy S. Johnson                       Director


*By /s/ Laurence L. Betterley
    -------------------------
    Laurence L. Betterley
    Attorney-in-Fact

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.                   Description
- -----------                   -----------

   5                Opinion of Dorsey & Whitney LLP regarding legality

  23.1              Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

  23.2              Consent of Dorsey & Whitney LLP (included in Exhibit 5)

  24                Power of Attorney




                                      II-4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit 5

                        [Dorsey & Whitney LLP Letterhead]

                                  May 6, 1998


Diametrics Medical, Inc.
2658 Patton Road
Roseville, Minnesota 55113

             Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have acted as counsel to Diametrics Medical, Inc., a Minnesota
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the sale of
up to 54,360 shares of common stock of the Company, par value $.01 per share
("Common Stock"), of which all such shares may be sold from time to time by the
Selling Shareholders named in the Registration Statement, on the NASDAQ National
Market or otherwise, directly or through underwriters, brokers or dealers.

     We have examined such documents and have reviewed such questions of law as
we have considered necessary and appropriate for the purposes of our opinions
set forth below. In rendering our opinions set forth below, we have assumed the
authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of
all signatures and the conformity to authentic originals of all documents
submitted to us as copies. We have also assumed the legal capacity for all
purposes relevant hereto of all natural persons and, with respect to all parties
to agreements or instruments relevant hereto other than the Company, that such
parties had the requisite power and authority (corporate or otherwise) to
execute, deliver and perform such agreements or instruments, that such
agreements or instruments have been duly authorized by all requisite action
(corporate or otherwise), executed and delivered by such parties and that such
agreements or instruments are the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of
such parties. As to questions of fact material to our opinions, we have relied
upon certificates of officers of the Company and of public officials.

     Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common
Stock to be sold by the Selling Shareholders pursuant to the Registration
Statement have been duly authorized by all requisite corporate action and are
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     Our opinions expressed above are limited to the laws of the State of
Minnesota.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Validity of Shares" in the Prospectus constituting part of the Registration
Statement.

                                                        Very truly yours,

                                                        /s/ Dorsey & Whitney LLP

                                                        Dorsey & Whitney LLP

KLC

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Board of Directors
Diametrics Medical, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to the 
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.


                                                       /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP


Minneapolis, Minnesota
May 6, 1998

<PAGE>
 
                                                                      Exhibit 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below
constitutes and appoints Laurence L. Betterley and David T. Giddings, and each
of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone,
with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 of Diametrics Medical, Inc., and any and all amendments or
post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, and to file the same with such state commissions and other
agencies as necessary, granting unto such attorneys-in-fact and agents, each
acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and
thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that such attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, or the
substitutes for such attorneys-in-fact, may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.


     Signature                Title                         Date
     ---------                -----                         ----


/s/  David T. Giddings        President, Chief Executive    May 4, 1998
- ---------------------------   Officer and Chairman of
David T. Giddings             the Board of Directors

/s/  Laurence L. Betterley    Chief Financial Officer       May 4, 1998
- ---------------------------
Laurence L. Betterley

/s/  Jill M. Nussbaum         Corporate Controller          May 4, 1998
- ---------------------------
Jill M. Nussbaum

/s/  Richard A. Norling       Director                      May 5, 1998
- ---------------------------
Richard A. Norling

                              Director                      May ___, 1998   
- ---------------------------
Mark B. Knudson, Ph.D.

/s/  Andre de Bruin           Director                      May 5, 1998
- ---------------------------
Andre de Bruin

/s/  Gerald L. Cohn           Director                      May 5, 1998
- ---------------------------
Gerald L. Cohn

/s/  Roy S. Johnson           Director                      May 5, 1998
- ---------------------------
Roy S. Johnson


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