text: *The following discussion of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read together with the other financial*
  *information and consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. This discussion contains forward-looking statements that*
  *involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from the results anticipated in the forward-looking statements*
  *as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in “Forward Looking Statements” and elsewhere in this Annual Report.*
  
  **O V E R V I E W**
  The Company designs, develops, manufactures, markets, sells and distributes products and components, primarily for the medical and health care industry. 
  The Company markets components to other equipment manufacturers for incorporation in their products and sells finished devices to physicians, hospitals, 
  clinics and other treatment centers. The Company’s products and services primarily range from ophthalmology and cardiovascular products to fluid delivery 
  devices, contract manufacturing and kitting services. In 2003 approximately 26 percent of the Company’s sales were outside the U.S. 
  
  The Company’s products are used in a wide variety of applications by numerous customers, the largest of which accounted for approximately 14 percent 
  of net sales in 2003. The Company encounters competition in all of its markets and competes primarily on the basis of product quality, price, engineering, 
  customer service and delivery time. 