Covidien buys Given Imaging for $860 million and with it Pill Cam

Given Imaging is the Israeli innovator of PillCam, a pill containing a tiny, disposable camera that patients swallow to give gastroenterologists an endoscopic view of the small bowel, esophagus and colon. The company has been acquired by Covidien for $860 million. PillCam is designed to be less invasive, cheaper and more patient-friendly, compared to colonoscopy and the Covidien purchase will help support growing sales.