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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.12

                             VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

                          EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT by and between VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and Mr. Martin P. Galvan (the "Executive") is made as of June
11, 2001 (the "Effective Date").

     WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that, as is the case with many
publicly-held corporations, the possibility of a change in control of the
Company exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions
which it may raise among key personnel, may result in the departure or
distraction of key personnel to the detriment of the Company and its
stockholders;

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined
that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued
employment and dedication of the Company's key personnel without distraction
from the possibility of a change in control of the Company and related events
and circumstances; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, as an inducement for and in consideration of the Executive
remaining in its employ, the Company agrees that the Executive shall receive the
severance benefits set forth in this Agreement in the event the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated under the circumstances described
below subsequent to a Change in Control (as defined in Section 1.1).

     1. KEY DEFINITIONS.

     As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective
meanings:

          1.1 "CHANGE IN CONTROL" means an event or occurrence set forth in any
one or more of subsections (a) through (d) below that occurs on or after the
"Spin-Off" (including an event or occurrence that constitutes a Change in
Control under one of such subsections but is specifically exempted from another
such subsection):

               (a) the acquisition by an individual, entity or group (within the
meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership of any
capital stock of the Company if, after such acquisition, such Person
beneficially owns (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act) 40% or more of either (i) the then-outstanding shares of common
stock of the Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the
combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of the Company entitled
to vote generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting
Securities"); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the
following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in Control: (i) any

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acquisition by the Company, (ii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation
controlled by the Company, or (iii) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant
to a transaction which complies with clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection (c) of
this Section 1.1; or

               (b) such time as the Continuing Directors (as defined below) do
not constitute a majority of the Board (or, if applicable, the Board of
Directors of a successor corporation to the Company), where the term "Continuing
Director" means at any date a member of the Board (i) who was a member of the
Board on the date of the Spin-Off or (ii) who was nominated or elected
subsequent to such date by at least a majority of the directors who were
Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or election or whose
election to the Board was recommended or endorsed by at least a majority of the
directors who were Continuing Directors at the time of such nomination or
election; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that there shall be excluded from this clause (ii)
any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an
actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of
directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by
or on behalf of a person other than the Board; or

               (c) the consummation of a merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization or statutory share exchange involving the Company or a sale or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company in
one or a series of transactions (a "Business Combination"), unless, immediately
following such Business Combination, each of the following two conditions is
satisfied: (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were
the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding
Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination
beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 60% of the then-outstanding
shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding
securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors,
respectively, of the resulting or acquiring corporation in such Business
Combination (which shall include, without limitation, a corporation which as a
result of such transaction owns the Company or substantially all of the
Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (such
resulting or acquiring corporation is referred to herein as the "Acquiring
Corporation") in substantially the same proportions as their ownership,
immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, respectively; and (ii)
no Person (excluding the Acquiring Corporation or any employee benefit plan (or
related trust) maintained or sponsored by the Company or by the Acquiring
Corporation) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 40% or more of the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the Acquiring Corporation, or of the
combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; or

               (d) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

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          1.2 "CHANGE IN CONTROL DATE" means the first date during the Term (as
defined in Section 2) on which a Change in Control occurs. Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if (a) a Change in Control occurs,
(b) the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date
on which the Change in Control occurs, and (c) it is reasonably demonstrated by
the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a
third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in
Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a
Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Change in
Control Date" shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such
termination of employment.

          1.3 "CAUSE" means the Executive's willful engagement in illegal
conduct or gross misconduct after the Change in Control Date which is materially
and demonstrably injurious to the Company. For purposes of this Section 1.3, no
act or failure to act by the Executive shall be considered "willful" unless it
is done, or omitted to be done, in bad faith and without reasonable belief that
the Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company.

          1.4 "GOOD REASON" means the occurrence, without the Executive's
written consent, of any of the events or circumstances set forth in clauses (a)
through (g) below. Notwithstanding the occurrence of any such event or
circumstance, such occurrence shall not be deemed to constitute Good Reason if,
prior to the Date of Termination specified in the Notice of Termination (each as
defined in Section 3.2(a)) given by the Executive in respect thereof, such event
or circumstance has been fully corrected and the Executive has been reasonably
compensated for any losses or damages resulting therefrom (provided that such
right of correction by the Company shall only apply to the first Notice of
Termination for Good Reason given by the Executive).

               (a) the assignment to the Executive of duties inconsistent in any
material respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority or responsibilities in effect
immediately prior to the earliest to occur of (i) the Change in Control Date,
(ii) the date of the execution by the Company of the initial written agreement
or instrument providing for the Change in Control or (iii) the date of the
adoption by the Board of Directors of a resolution providing for the Change in
Control (with the earliest to occur of such dates referred to herein as the
"Measurement Date") or a material diminution in such position, authority or
responsibilities;

               (b) a reduction in the Executive's annual base salary as in
effect on the Measurement Date or as the same was or may be increased thereafter
from time to time;

               (c) the failure by the Company to (i) continue in effect any
material compensation or benefit plan or program (including without limitation
any life insurance, medical, health and accident or disability plan and any
vacation or automobile program or policy) (a "Benefit Plan") in which the
Executive participates or which is

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applicable to the Executive immediately prior to the Measurement Date, unless an
equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan)
has been made with respect to such plan or program, (ii) continue the
Executive's participation therein (or in such substitute or alternative plan) on
a basis not materially less favorable than the basis existing immediately prior
to the Measurement Date (iii) award cash bonuses to the Executive in amounts and
in a manner substantially consistent with past practice in light of the
Company's financial performance or (iv) continue to provide any material fringe
benefit enjoyed by Executive immediately prior to the Measurement Date;

               (d) a change by the Company in the location at which the
Executive performs his principal duties for the Company to a new location that
is both (i) outside a radius of 50 miles from the Executive's principal
residence immediately prior to the Measurement Date and (ii) more than 30 miles
from the location at which the Executive performed his principal duties for the
Company immediately prior to the Measurement Date; or a requirement by the
Company that the Executive travel on Company business to a substantially greater
extent than required immediately prior to the Measurement Date;

               (e) the failure of the Company to obtain the agreement from any
successor to the Company to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as
required by Section 6.1;

               (f) a purported termination of the Executive's employment which
is not effected pursuant to a Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements
of Section 3.2(a); or

               (g) any failure of the Company to pay or provide to the Executive
any portion of the Executive's compensation or benefits due under any Benefit
Plan within seven days of the date such compensation or benefits are due, or any
material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any employment agreement
with the Executive.

     The Executive's right to terminate his employment for Good Reason shall not
be affected by his incapacity due to physical or mental illness.

          1.5 "DISABILITY" means the Executive's absence from the full-time
performance of the Executive's duties with the Company for 180 consecutive
calendar days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which
is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company
or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal
representative.

          1.6 "SPIN-OFF" means the distribution by Thermo Electron Corporation,
a Delaware corporation ("Thermo"), to its stockholders of all or substantially
all of the shares of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share, held
beneficially by Thermo in a tax-free spin-off under Section 355 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

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     2. TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement, and all rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder, shall take effect upon the effective date of the Spin-Off and
shall expire upon the first to occur of (a) the expiration of the Term (as
defined below) if a Change in Control has not occurred during the Term, (b) the
date 18 months after the Change in Control Date, if the Executive is still
employed by the Company as of such later date, or (c) the fulfillment by the
Company of all of its obligations under Sections 4 and 5.2 if the Executive's
employment with the Company terminates within 18 months following the Change in
Control Date. "Term" shall mean the period commencing as of the effective date
of the Spin-Off and continuing in effect through "Term of Employment", as
defined in the Employment Agreement by and between the Company and the Executive
dated as of June 8, 2001.

     3. EMPLOYMENT STATUS; TERMINATION FOLLOWING CHANGE IN CONTROL.

          3.1 NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT. The Executive acknowledges that this
Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company
any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee and that this Agreement
does not prevent the Executive from terminating employment at any time. If the
Executive's employment with the Company terminates for any reason and
subsequently a Change in Control shall occur, the Executive shall not be
entitled to any benefits hereunder except as otherwise provided pursuant to
Section 1.2.

          3.2 TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

               (a) If the Change in Control Date occurs during the Term, any
termination of the Executive's employment by the Company or by the Executive
within 18 months following the Change in Control Date (other than due to the
death of the Executive) shall be communicated by a written notice to the other
party hereto (the "Notice of Termination"), given in accordance with Section 7.
Any Notice of Termination shall: (i) indicate the specific termination provision
(if any) of this Agreement relied upon by the party giving such notice, (ii) to
the extent applicable, set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) specify the Date of
Termination (as defined below). The effective date of an employment termination
(the "Date of Termination") shall be the close of business on the date specified
in the Notice of Termination (which date may not be less than 15 days or more
than 120 days after the date of delivery of such Notice of Termination), in the
case of a termination other than one due to the Executive's death, or the date
of the Executive's death, as the case may be. In the event the Company fails to
satisfy the requirements of Section 3.2(a) regarding a Notice of Termination,
the purported termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to such Notice
of Termination shall not be effective for purposes of this Agreement.

               (b) The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in
the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a
showing of


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Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively,
from asserting any such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the
Company's rights hereunder.

               (c) Any Notice of Termination for Cause given by the Company must
be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the event(s) or circumstance(s)
which constitute(s) Cause. Prior to any Notice of Termination for Cause being
given (and prior to any termination for Cause being effective), the Executive
shall be entitled to a hearing before the Board of Directors of the Company at
which he may, at his election, be represented by counsel and at which he shall
have a reasonable opportunity to be heard. Such hearing shall be held on not
less than 15 days prior written notice to the Executive stating the Board of
Directors' intention to terminate the Executive for Cause and stating in detail
the particular event(s) or circumstance(s) which the Board of Directors believes
constitutes Cause for termination.

               (d) Any Notice of Termination for Good Reason given by the
Executive must be given within 90 days of the occurrence of the event(s) or
circumstance(s) which constitute(s) Good Reason.

     4. BENEFITS TO EXECUTIVE.

          4.1 STOCK ACCELERATION. If the Change in Control Date occurs during
the Term, then, effective upon the Change in Control Date, (a) each outstanding
option to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company held by the Executive
shall become immediately exercisable in full and will no longer be subject to a
right of repurchase by the Company and (b) each outstanding restricted stock
award shall be deemed to be fully vested and will no longer be subject to a
right of repurchase by the Company.

          4.2 COMPENSATION. If the Change in Control Date occurs during the Term
and the Executive's employment with the Company terminates within 18 months
following the Change in Control Date, the Executive shall be entitled to the
following benefits:

               (a) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON. If the
Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the Company (other than
for Cause, Disability or Death) or by the Executive for Good Reason within 18
months following the Change in Control Date, then the Executive shall be
entitled to the following benefits:

                    (i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:

                         (1) the sum of (A) the Executive's base salary through
the Date of Termination, (B) the product of (x) the annual bonus paid or payable


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(including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred) for
the most recently completed fiscal year and (y) a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of
Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 and (C) the amount of any
compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued
interest or earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the
extent not previously paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (A),
(B), and (C) shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and

                         (2) the amount equal to (A) one and one-half (1.5)
multiplied by (B) the sum of (x) the Executive's highest annual base salary in
any twelve-month period (on a rolling basis) during the five-year period prior
to the Change in Control Date and (y) the Executive's highest annual bonus in
any twelve-month period (on a rolling basis) during the five-year period prior
to the Change in Control Date.

               (ii) for one and one-half years after the Date of Termination, or
such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan,
program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue to provide benefits to
the Executive and the Executive's family at least equal to those which would
have been provided to them if the Executive's employment had not been
terminated, in accordance with the applicable Benefit Plans in effect on the
Measurement Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and his family, in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive a
particular type of benefits (e.g., health insurance benefits) from such employer
on terms at least as favorable to the Executive and his family as those being
provided by the Company, then the Company shall no longer be required to provide
those particular benefits to the Executive and his family;

               (iii) to the extent not previously paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive
following the Executive's termination of employment under any plan, program,
policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated
companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as
the "Other Benefits"); and

               (iv) for purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits to which the
Executive is entitled, the Executive shall be considered to have remained
employed by the Company until one and one-half years after the Date of
Termination.

          (b) RESIGNATION WITHOUT GOOD REASON; TERMINATION FOR DEATH OR
DISABILITY. If the Executive voluntarily terminates his employment with the
Company within 18 months following the Change in Control Date, excluding a
termination for Good Reason, or if the Executive's employment with the Company
is terminated by reason of the Executive's death or Disability within 18 months
following the Change in


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Control Date, then the Company shall (i) pay the Executive (or his estate, if
applicable), in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination,
the Accrued Obligations and (ii) timely pay or provide to the Executive the
Other Benefits.

          (c) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. If the Company terminates the Executive's
employment with the Company for Cause within 18 months following the Change in
Control Date, then the Company shall (i) pay the Executive, in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination, the sum of (A) the
Executive's annual base salary through the Date of Termination and (B) the
amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, in each case to
the extent not previously paid, and (ii) timely pay or provide to the Executive
the Other Benefits.

     4.3 TAXES.

          (a) In the event that the Company undergoes a "Change in Ownership or
Control" (as defined below), and thereafter, the Executive becomes eligible to
receive "Contingent Compensation Payments" (as defined below) the Company shall,
as soon as administratively feasible after the Executive becomes so eligible
determine and notify the Executive (with reasonable detail regarding the basis
for its determinations) (i) which of the payments or benefits due to the
Executive following such Change in Ownership or Control constitute Contingent
Compensation Payments, (ii) the amount, if any, of the excise tax (the "Excise
Tax") payable pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code, by the Executive with
respect to such Contingent Compensation Payment and (iii) the amount of the
"Gross-Up Payment" (as defined below) due to the Executive with respect to such
Contingent Compensation Payment. Within 30 days after delivery of such notice to
the Executive, the Executive shall deliver a response to the Company (the
"Executive Response") stating either (A) that he agrees with the Company's
determination pursuant to the preceding sentence or (B) that he disagrees with
such determination, in which case he shall indicate which payment and/or
benefits should be characterized as a Contingent Compensation Payment, the
amount of the Excise Tax with respect to such Contingent Compensation Payment
and the amount of the Gross-Up Payment due to the Executive with respect to such
Contingent Compensation Payment. If the Executive states in the Executive
Response that he agrees with the Company's determination, the Company shall make
the Gross-Up Payment to the Executive within three business days following
delivery to the Company of the Executive Response. If the Executive states in
the Executive Response that he disagrees with the Company's determination, then,
for a period of 15 days following delivery of the Executive Response, the
Executive and the Company shall use good faith efforts to resolve such dispute.
If such dispute is not resolved within such 15-day period, such dispute shall be
settled exclusively by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with
the rules of the American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may
be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction. The
Company shall, within three business days following delivery to the Company of
the Executive Response, make to the Executive those Gross-Up Payments as to
which there is no dispute between the Company and the Executive regarding
whether they should be made. The balance of the Gross-Up Payments shall be made
within three business days following the resolution of


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such dispute. The amount of any payments to be made to the Executive following
the resolution of such dispute shall be increased by the amount of the accrued
interest thereon computed at the prime rate announced from time to time by The
Wall Street Journal compounded monthly from the date that such payments
originally were due. In the event that the Executive fails to deliver an
Executive Response on or before the required date, the Company's initial
determination shall be final.

          (b) For purposes of this Section 4.3, the following terms shall have
the following respective meanings:

               (i) "Change in Ownership or Control" shall mean a change in the
ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a
substantial portion of the assets of the Company determined in accordance with
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code.

               (ii) "Contingent Compensation Payment" shall mean any payment (or
benefit) in the nature of compensation that is made or supplied to a
"disqualified individual" (as defined in Section 280G(c) of the Code) and that
is contingent (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code) on a
Change in Ownership or Control of the Company.

               (iii) "Gross-Up Payment" shall mean an amount equal to the sum of
(i) the amount of the Excise Tax payable with respect to a Contingent
Compensation Payment and (ii) the amount necessary to pay all additional taxes
imposed on (or economically borne by) the Executive (including the Excise Taxes,
state and federal income taxes and all applicable withholding taxes)
attributable to the receipt of such Gross-Up Payment. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, all taxes attributable to the receipt of the Gross-Up
Payment shall be computed assuming the application of the maximum tax rates
provided by law.

          4.4 OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES. In the event the Executive is terminated by
the Company (other than for Cause, Disability or Death), or the Executive
terminates employment for Good Reason, within 18 months following the Change in
Control Date, the Company shall provide outplacement services through one or
more outside firms of the Executive's choosing up to an aggregate of $20,000,
with such services to extend until the earlier of (i) 12 months following the
termination of Executive's employment or (ii) the date the Executive secures
full time employment.

          4.5 MITIGATION. The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the
amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 4 by seeking
other employment or otherwise. Further, except as provided in Section
4.2(a)(ii), the amount of any payment or benefits provided for in this Section 4
shall not be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of
employment by another employer, by retirement benefits, by offset against any
amount claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or otherwise.


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     5. DISPUTES.

          5.1 SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES; ARBITRATION. All claims by the Executive
for benefits under this Agreement shall be directed to and determined by the
Board of Directors of the Company and shall be in writing. Any denial by the
Board of Directors of a claim for benefits under this Agreement shall be
delivered to the Executive in writing and shall set forth the specific reasons
for the denial and the specific provisions of this Agreement relied upon. The
Board of Directors shall afford a reasonable opportunity to the Executive for a
review of the decision denying a claim. Any further dispute or controversy
arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively
by arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts, in accordance with the rules of the
American Arbitration Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the
arbitrator's award in any court having jurisdiction.

          5.2 EXPENSES. The Company agrees to pay as incurred, to the full
extent permitted by law, all legal, accounting and other fees and expenses which
the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any claim or contest
(regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others
regarding the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision
of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result
of any contest by the Executive regarding the amount of any payment or benefits
pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment
at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the
Code.

     6. SUCCESSORS.

          6.1 SUCCESSOR TO COMPANY. The Company shall require any successor
(whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to
assume and agree to perform this Agreement to the same extent that the Company
would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. Failure
of the Company to obtain an assumption of this Agreement at or prior to the
effectiveness of any succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall
constitute Good Reason if the Executive elects to terminate employment, except
that for purposes of implementing the foregoing, the date on which any such
succession becomes effective shall be deemed the Date of Termination. As used in
this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company as defined above and any
successor to its business or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to
perform this Agreement, by operation of law or otherwise.

          6.2 SUCCESSOR TO EXECUTIVE. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit
of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal representatives,
executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and
legatees. If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to
the Executive or his family hereunder if the Executive had continued to live,
all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement to the executors, personal representatives or
administrators of the Executive's estate.


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     7. NOTICE. All notices, instructions and other communications given
hereunder or in connection herewith shall be in writing. Any such notice,
instruction or communication shall be sent either (i) by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (ii) prepaid via a reputable
nationwide overnight courier service, in each case addressed to the Company, at
81 Wyman Street, Waltham, Massachusetts, Attention: Corporate Secretary, and to
the Executive at the Executive's principal residence as currently reflected on
the Company's records (or to such other address as either the Company or the
Executive may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith).
Any such notice, instruction or communication shall be deemed to have been
delivered five business days after it is sent by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or one business day after it is sent
via a reputable nationwide overnight courier service. Either party may give any
notice, instruction or other communication hereunder using any other means, but
no such notice, instruction or other communication shall be deemed to have been
duly delivered unless and until it actually is received by the party for whom it
is intended.

     8. MISCELLANEOUS.

          8.1 SEVERABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

          8.2 INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. The Company and the Executive agree that any
breach of this Agreement by the Company is likely to cause the Executive
substantial and irrevocable damage and therefore, in the event of any such
breach, in addition to such other remedies which may be available, the Executive
shall have the right to specific performance and injunctive relief.

          8.3 GOVERNING LAW. The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, without regard to conflicts of law principles.

          8.4 WAIVERS. No waiver by the Executive at any time of any breach of,
or compliance with, any provision of this Agreement to be performed by the
Company shall be deemed a waiver of that or any other provision at any
subsequent time.

          8.5 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original but both of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.

          8.6 TAX WITHHOLDING. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid
net of any applicable tax withholding required under federal, state or local
law.

          8.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement
of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and
supersedes all


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prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications,
representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee
or representative of any party hereto in respect of the subject matter contained
herein; and any prior agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject
matter contained herein is hereby terminated and cancelled.

          8.8 AMENDMENTS. This Agreement may be amended or modified only by a
written instrument executed by both the Company and the Executive.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first set forth above.

                                      VIASYS HEALTHCARE INC.

                                      /s/ Randy H. Thurman
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      By: Randy H. Thurman
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer

                                      EXECUTIVE

                                      /s/ Martin P. Galvan
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Martin P. Galvan






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