<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   -----------


                               Amendment No. 1 to

                                   FORM 10-K


                        FOR ANNUAL AND TRANSITION REPORTS
                     PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 13 0R 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

              [X] Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                   For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000

                                       or

          [ ] Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

              For the transition period from _________ to _________

                          Commission file number 0-935

                          AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

          Delaware                                          36-4296006
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                         (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                          Identification No.)

414 N. Orleans St., Suite 510, Chicago, IL                       60610
 (Address of Principal Executive Offices)                      (Zip Code)

                                 (312) 222-9550
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


        Title of Each Class            Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
        -------------------            -----------------------------------------
               None                                  Not Applicable

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                         Common Stock, $0.001 par value
                                (Title of class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

[X] Yes [  ] No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K. [ ]

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the
Company as of March 15, 2001 was $23,613,000, based upon the closing sales price
of shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share ("Common
Stock"), of $1.50 per share as reported on the Nasdaq Over-the-Counter Bulletin
Board Market on that date.

The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 15, 2001 was
30,211,457

The following document is incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form
10-K:

         Ampersand Medical Corporation Proxy Statement, relating to the 2001
annual meeting of stockholders.

Index to Exhibits is on page F-32.



<PAGE>   2
                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS

         Ampersand Medical Corporation, which may also be referred to as
"Ampersand", was incorporated in Delaware in December 1998 as the successor to
Bell National Corporation ("Bell National"). Bell National was incorporated in
California in 1958. In December 1998, Bell National (then a shell corporation
without any business activity) acquired InPath, LLC ("InPath"), a development
stage company engaged in the design and development of products used in
screening for cervical and other types of cancer. For accounting purposes, we
treated the acquisition as if InPath had acquired Bell National. However, Bell
National continued as the legal entity and the registrant for both Securities
and Exchange Commission filing purposes and income tax filing purposes. Bell
National merged into Ampersand, its wholly owned subsidiary, in May of 1999 in
order to change the state of incorporation of the Company to Delaware. Except
where the context otherwise requires "Ampersand", the "Company" or "We" refers
to Ampersand, its subsidiaries, and its predecessor.

         We are focused on the design, development and marketing of the InPath
System (the "System") of products. These products are intended to detect, at the
earliest possible stage, cancer and cancer related diseases. These products may
be used in a laboratory, clinic, or doctor's office. Ampersand has a wholly
owned subsidiary, Samba Technologies, Sarl ("Samba"), based in France. We bought
all of the assets of Samba in January 1999, from Unilog Regions, SA for
approximately $500,000 in cash. Samba designs, develops and markets web-enabled
software based systems for image analysis, image capture, and image transmission
and management for clinical and industrial applications. Samba also is
developing the software used in the System. All of our reported revenue to date
has been from the sale of Samba products and services.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

         On February 7, 2001, we signed a definitive agreement (the "Agreement")
to merge our subsidiary, AccuMed Acquisition, Corp., AccuMed International, Inc
("AccuMed"). AccuMed Acquisition, Corp. was formed for the purpose of doing the
merger. AccuMed is also in the cancer screening and diagnostics business. We
license certain patents and core technology from AccuMed. We also purchase their
automated instruments and integrate them into our System.


         Under the terms of the Agreement, we will exchange approximately
3,750,000 shares of our Common Stock for all of AccuMed's outstanding common
stock and we will also exchange approximately 590,000 shares of our Series A
Convertible Preferred Stock for all of AccuMed's outstanding convertible
preferred stock. The 590,000 shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
are convertible into approximately 250,000 shares of our Common Stock. The
Agreement is subject to approval by the stockholders of AccuMed. The Board and
management of AccuMed have signed agreements to vote their shares, representing
approximately 18% of AccuMed's shares of common stock for approval of the
Agreement.




                                       2

<PAGE>   3


         Also on February 7, 2001, we loaned AccuMed $800,000 under the terms of
a secured note. The principal amount of this note is made up of $470,000 in cash
provided at the signing of the Agreement and $330,000 in cash previously
advanced by us to AccuMed during 2000. The Agreement requires us to make
additional loans of $225,000 at the beginning of March, April, and May 2001 to
AccuMed to be used for working capital. On March 1, 2001, we made the first
required $225,000 loan to AccuMed in exchange for another secured note. All of
the notes evidencing these loans bear interest at the prime rate, plus 2.5%, and
are due on the earlier of May 31, 2001, or termination of the Agreement. The
notes are secured by AccuMed's inventory and the revenues from a contract with
one of AccuMed's customers.

         During February 2001, we sold 1,333,856 shares of Series B Convertible
Preferred Stock to a limited number of U.S. and foreign accredited investors in
a private offering. The Series B stock has a stated value of $4.00 per share, an
annual dividend rate of 10%, and is convertible into our Common Stock at a
conversion price of $1.00 per share. We received net cash proceeds of $5,176,000
from this offering, including $500,000 received as a deposit in December 2000.
This cash will be used to fund the monthly loans to AccuMed and to complete the
merger with AccuMed, repay certain outstanding indebtedness, fund clinical
studies and trials of our products, and general working capital.


         Several advisory groups including BathGate McColley Capital Group,
which acted as a placement agent, and Univest Management, Inc. and Prospektiva,
SA, which acted as finders, contracted to assist us in completing this offering,
were compensated through the payment of $159,000 in cash, the issuance of
374,000 additional shares of Common Stock, and the issuance of warrants to
purchase 534,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.


         On February 1, 2001 and February 7, 2001, we received $495,000 in cash
from Azimuth in exchange for two promissory notes bearing interest at 15% per
year. Of the cash received, $470,000 was used to partially fund the loan to
AccuMed made on February 7, 2001, in connection with the above Agreement. As
additional compensation for these loans, we issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase
1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share. The
warrant expires on February 7, 2006. On February 20, 2001, we used $809,0000 of
the proceeds from the Series B Stock offering to repay these notes, two
additional notes issued to Azimuth in December 2000, and all of the related
accrued interest.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT INDUSTRY SEGMENTS

         We operate primarily in an industry segment involving medical devices,
diagnostics, and supplies. All of our operations during the reporting period
were conducted within this segment. We expect to continue to focus our
operations on this industry segment.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

         GENERAL OVERVIEW

         We believe that the science of medical diagnostics has advanced
significantly during the past decade. Much of this advance has come as a result
of new knowledge of the human genome ("Genetics") and related proteins, which
form the foundation of cell biology ("Proteomics"), and the human body. Our goal
is to utilize this research as a base to develop screening and diagnostic
testing products for cancer and related diseases. We believe that the success of
these products will improve patient care through more accurate test performance,



                                       3

<PAGE>   4


wider availability, and cost effective service delivery. We are developing an
initial series of products to address these criteria including sample collection
devices, chemical and biological tests, and analysis instruments and related
software.

         Our strategy is to develop products through internal development
processes, strategic partnerships, and licenses and acquisitions of companies or
technologies. This strategy has and will require a substantial amount of capital
in the research and development process to complete the products. As a result,
we will incur substantial operating losses until we are able to successfully
market some, or all, of our products.

         PRODUCTS

         THE INPATH SYSTEM

         We are currently designing and developing a family of products for use
in cancer screening and diagnosis. We call this family of products the "InPath
System" (the "System"). The core of the System is a combination of protein
anti-bodies - the "Cocktail" that allows the System to detect and highlight
abnormal cells in a rapid and objective fashion. We intend to use different
anti-body combinations for different types of cancer and other diseases.

         The initial application of the System is designed to enhance the
current cervical cancer screening process performed in laboratories, commonly
referred to as the "Pap Test", with the ultimate goal of being able to perform
this screening test in a matter of minutes in a laboratory, doctor's office,
clinic, or mobile medical vehicle - the "Point of Service" ("POS"). The System
we are developing includes the following components:

           -  A unique sample collection device consisting of a small balloon,
              shaped to fit the cervix, and a reusable handle. The device is
              intended to replace the spatula and brush currently used to
              collect patient cell samples.

           -  A chemical and biological assay (a unique combination process),
              which is applied to a sample to identify potentially abnormal
              cells.

                -  In the laboratory version of the System, this assay is
                   applied to sample cells released from our collector and
                   deposited on a glass slide.

                -  In the POS version of the System, this assay is applied
                   directly to the sample while still on our collector.

           -  An instrument, which performs an automated analysis of a sample
              via an optical scan that looks for the presence of certain
              wavelengths of fluorescent light. This light is produced by tags,
              which are attached to certain components of the assay.

                -  In the laboratory version of the System, the instrument uses
                   an automated microscope and a camera to capture the various
                   wavelengths of light.




                                       4


<PAGE>   5
                -  In the POS version of the System, the instrument uses custom
                   designed optical devices and lasers to capture the various
                   wavelengths of light.

           -  Custom designed software that controls the automated instruments
              and processes the analysis of the captured light detected

         In June 2000, we obtained a license from Invirion and Dr. Bruce
Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., its principal, for a proprietary medical technology to
detect the presence of cancer causing types of the Human Papilloma Virus
("HPV"), a sexually transmitted disease. We will use this technology as an
adjunct to the System. The combination of the two tests will give the healthcare
provider a better picture of the level of any disease present, which patients
may be at an increased risk to develop disease in the future, and based on these
factors, a course of treatment to follow. (See Item 7 -- Management's Discussion
And Analysis of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations)

         SAMBA SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

         Samba designs, develops and markets web-enabled software based systems
for image analysis, image capture, and image transmission and management in
clinical and industrial applications. Samba also designed the imaging and
analysis software used in the laboratory version of the System. Samba is
currently working on control and analysis software for other instruments in the
System. All of our reported revenue to date is derived from the sale of Samba's
products and services.

         Samba software suites, a group of programs, which may be used singly or
together in a particular application, allow the user to capture and share
digital images, and related data. Examples of applications are radiology,
pathology, and real-time coordination between pathologist and physician during
ongoing surgical procedures. Samba software can create a single data folder,
where patient information, physician case notes, and diagnostic images from
various sources are maintained, or annotated. The software can be employed in
local or wide area networks, or through an Internet browser using
security-encrypted files. All of Samba's software can be used on a wide variety
of image capture instruments or devices and can employ static, historical, or
dynamic (live) images. Samba also provides software customization, installation,
interface, network, and Internet consulting services to the users of its
products.

         BACK-LOG OF ORDERS

         The Company does not as yet have any orders for products that make up
the System.

         At December 31, 2000, Samba had a backlog (i.e., purchase orders for
goods or services) of signed contracts, to be completed within the next twelve
months, amounting to $512,000. As of that same date, Samba had outstanding
contract quotes amounting to $1,793,000. Samba may not be the successful bidder
on all of its outstanding quotations.


         MARKETS



                                       5

<PAGE>   6



         We do not plan to develop and train a large direct sales force to sell
the System. Our strategy is to market the laboratory version of the System to
major laboratory organizations in the U.S. and other parts of the world. Once
the System has been successfully established in the laboratory market, our
strategy is to form alliances with these laboratories and other medical products
distribution companies and utilize their sales forces to broaden sales of the
System to hospitals, clinics, managed care organizations, and office-based
physician groups.

         Outside of the U.S., most healthcare services are provided by
governmental organizations. In developing countries where healthcare, especially
cancer screening, may be minimal, non-profit organizations often supplement
government health programs. Our strategy for these markets is to support
clinical studies of the System, either directly or through one or more of the
non-profit organizations, in the individual countries. Once the studies are
complete, we will use the study data to market the System directly to the
government organizations or to the non-profit organizations, depending on which
group is funding the screening program.

         We plan to offer the sample collection device for sale during 2001. We
will need clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration ("FDA")
before we can market this device in the U.S. We plan to have the laboratory
version of the System available for use in worldwide clinical studies during
2001. We will begin marketing the laboratory version of the System outside of
the U.S. on a country-by-country basis as clinical studies are completed in
those countries. We are planning initial U.S. marketing of the laboratory
version of the System, subject to FDA clearance, as an adjunct to PAP screening
in late 2001 or early 2002. We plan to have the POS version of the System ready
for distribution in markets outside the U.S. during 2002 and in the U.S.,
subject to FDA clearance, as soon as practicable, but most likely not before the
end of 2002.

         Samba currently sells its products and services through direct sales
and representatives in Europe and through a distribution arrangement in Central
and South America. Prior to 1999, Samba had a distribution arrangement in North
America. Since our acquisition of Samba, we have represented Samba products in
the United States. Samba is adding to its distribution agreements to cover
specific countries or market segments in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and North
Africa. During 2000, we added a full time marketing person to introduce the
Samba products to a broad range of potential customers and distribution partners
in the U.S. This potential market includes large laboratories, integrated
healthcare delivery networks, web-based medical information providers, and
laboratory and hospital information system vendors. We anticipate closing on
initial U.S. sales of these Samba products during 2001.

         COMPETITION

         Historically, competition in the healthcare industry has been
characterized by the search for technological innovations and efforts to market
such innovations. Cost of healthcare delivery has always been a significant
factor in markets outside of the U.S. In recent years, the U.S. market has also
become much more cost conscious. We believe technological innovations
incorporated in certain of our products offer cost effective benefits.




                                       6


<PAGE>   7



         Competitors may introduce new products that compete with ours, or those
we are developing. We believe the portion of our research and development
efforts devoted towards continued refinement and cost reduction of our products
will permit us to remain or become competitive in all of the markets in which we
presently sell or plan to sell our products.

         The market for our cancer screening and diagnostic product line is
significant but highly competitive. We are not aware of any other companies that
are duplicating our efforts to develop an objective analysis and diagnostic
system for cervical cancer screening that can be used at the POS. There are a
number of companies attempting to develop in-vivo systems to differentiate
between cancerous, pre-cancerous and normal tissue. Our competition includes
many companies with financial, marketing, and research and development resources
substantially greater than ours. There can be no assurance that our
technologically innovative and cost effective products will provide the
competitive advantages we think we will have.

         Similarly, the worldwide markets, in which Samba's products are sold,
are highly competitive. Several American and foreign companies are developing
and marketing products that compete directly with Samba's products and services.
However, Samba has the benefit of a strong customer base throughout Europe, as
well as a few long-term customers in the United States. Our strategy is to use
these customers as references in our market efforts to expand the sales and use
of Samba products.

         We believe that all of our products must compete primarily on the basis
of accuracy, functionality, product features, and effectiveness of the product
in standard medical applications. We also believe that cost control and cost
effectiveness are additional key factors in achieving or maintaining a
competitive advantage. We focus a significant amount of product development
effort on producing systems and tests, which will not add to overall healthcare
cost.

         OPERATIONS

         We conduct research and development work for the System using a
combination of our own employees, contract workers, and contract laboratory
facilities: Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; San Francisco, CA.

         We do not intend to invest capital to construct and maintain a
medical-products manufacturing facility and all its related quality systems. Our
strategy is to utilize the operations, quality systems, and facilities of a
contract manufacturer specializing in medical products manufacturing to meet our
current and future needs. This strategy covers manufacturing requirements
related to chemical components of the test, plastic and silicone parts for the
sample collector, and instruments.

         We have preliminary agreements, including design and development work,
with manufacturers of medical grade plastic components to supply low volumes of
the silicone balloon and other plastic components of the sample collection
device. We are negotiating additional agreements with these same manufacturers
to supply much higher volumes that will be needed once we begin to sell the
sample collection device. These manufacturers have the capacity to handle high
volume production through facilities in both the United States and several
foreign countries.




                                       7

<PAGE>   8


         We also have a preliminary agreement with a large manufacturer of
chemical and biological tests to integrate the various combinations of
ingredients that make up our assay Cocktail into a single product delivered in
high volume.

         The instruments, including computers, automated microscopes supplied by
AccuMed, cameras, automated slide staining equipment, and slide preparation
equipment, that make up the laboratory version of the System are available from
several manufacturers. These instruments are used in a sequential process. The
automated microscope on which the actual sample screening is done is computer
controlled by Samba software that we will install.

         We have a preliminary agreement with a medical instrument manufacturer
covering the design, development and initial manufacturing of the POS
instrument.

         Samba develops its software products at its own facility and at a
contracted facility, both located in France. The Samba software products are
installed and integrated with off-the-shelf computer and imaging components at
the customer's location or in the French facility immediately prior to delivery.
Consulting services are generally performed at the customer's location or at the
French facility using customer data and communications access. We will add staff
at our Chicago, IL offices to support the delivery of Samba products to
customers in the U.S.

         INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

         We rely on a combination of patents, licenses, trade names, trademarks,
know-how, proprietary technology, and policies and procedures to maintain the
secrecy of our intellectual property. We consider such security and protection a
very important aspect of the successful marketing of our products in the U.S.
and foreign markets.

         We have filed fifteen (15) provisional patent applications covering
components of the System and other products related to our cancer screening
business. We hold an exclusive license from AccuMed for two patents and certain
other know-how and trade secrets covering the POS portion of the System. We also
hold an exclusive license from Invirion and Dr. Bruce Patterson, covering
certain medical technology, and patent applications, for the detection of cancer
causing types of HPV virus. We purchased both licenses for cash, future
royalties, and other considerations. (See Item 7 -- Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.)

         We continue to prepare additional patent applications for processes and
inventions arising from our research and development process. Patent
applications in the United States are maintained in secrecy until patents are
published or issued. Until our applications are actually approved and a patent
issued, we cannot be certain we were the first to create the inventions covered
by the applications.

         Samba software and technology consists primarily of trade secrets,
know-how, and technical documentation. We restrict access to our software source
codes, the details of the step by step instructions for command and control and
operation of a software program, to further enhance security.




                                       8

<PAGE>   9


         Worldwide, all of our products are or will be sold under trademarks
that we consider to be important to our business. We own the Samba trademark and
trade names of "Samba", "InPath", and "Ampersand Medical Group". We may file
additional U.S. and foreign trademark applications in the future.

         Our future technology acquisition efforts will be focused towards those
which have strong patent or trade secret protection.

         We cannot be sure that patents or trademarks issued or which may be
issued in the future will provide us with any significant competitive
advantages. We cannot be sure any of our patent applications will be granted or
that validity or enforceability will not be successfully challenged. The cost of
any patent related litigation could be substantial even if we were to prevail.
In addition, we cannot be sure that someone will not independently develop
similar technologies or products, duplicate our technology, or design around the
patented aspects of our products. The protection provided by patents depends
upon a variety of factors, which may severely limit the value of the patent
protection, particularly in foreign countries. We intend to protect much of our
core technology as trade secrets, either because patent protection is not
possible or, in our opinion, would be less effective than maintaining secrecy.
However, we cannot be sure that our efforts to maintain secrecy will be
successful or that third-parties will not be able to develop the technology
independently.

         GOVERNMENT REGULATION

         The development, manufacture, sale, and distribution of our products is
regulated by the FDA and comparable authorities in certain states and other
countries. In the U.S., the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (the "FD&C Act") and
related regulations apply to some of our products. Our principal products cannot
be shipped in interstate commerce without prior authorization from the FDA.

           Medical devices may be authorized by the FDA for marketing in the
U.S. either pursuant to a pre-market notification under Section 510(k) of the
FD&C Act (a "510(k) Notification") or a pre-marketing approval application (a
"PMA"). The process of obtaining FDA marketing clearance and approval from other
applicable regulatory authorities may be costly and there can be no guarantee
that the process will be successful. FDA 510(k) Notification and PMA
applications typically require preliminary internal studies, field studies,
and/or clinical trials, in addition to submission of other design documentation.
We recently hired a Senior Vice President of Regulatory & Clinical Affairs to
manage the complete process of obtaining regulatory clearance. We provide
additional support to our current operations through the use of consultants,
Clinical Research Organizations ("CROs") and members of our Medical Advisory
Board.

         A 510(k) Notification, among other things, requires an applicant to
show that its products are "substantially equivalent" in terms of safety and
effectiveness to an existing FDA cleared predicate product. An applicant may
only market a product submitted through a 510(k) Notification after the FDA has
issued a written notification determining the product has been found to be
substantially equivalent.

         To obtain PMA approval for a device, an applicant must demonstrate,
independently of other like devices, that the device in question is safe and
effective for its intended uses. A




                                       9

<PAGE>   10


PMA must be supported by extensive data, including pre-clinical and clinical
trial data, as well as extensive literature and design documentation to prove
the safety and effectiveness of the device. The PMA process is substantially
longer than a 510(k) Notification process. During the review period, the FDA may
conduct extensive reviews of clinical center documentation and our manufacturing
facilities or those of our strategic partners. In addition the FDA may request
additional information and clarifications, and convene a physician advisory
panel to assist in its determination.

         The FD&C Act generally bars advertising, promoting, or otherwise
marketing medical devices that the FDA has not approved or cleared. Moreover,
FDA enforcement policy strictly prohibits the promotion of known or approved
medical devices for non-approved or "off-label" uses. In addition, product
clearances or approvals may be withdrawn for failure to comply with regulatory
standards.

         Our current and prospective overseas operations are also subject to
some degree of government regulation, varying from country to country. Many
countries, directly or indirectly through reimbursement limitations, control the
selling price of most healthcare products. Developing countries often limit the
importation of finished products, which may make it necessary to build our
instruments or disposables using local facilities. Regulations adopted in
foreign countries also have an impact on U.S. regulations. European Directives
establish the requirements for medical devices in the European Union. The
specific Directives are the Medical Device Directive (MDD 93/42/EEC) and the
In-Vivo Device Directive (IVDD/98/79/EEC). The International Organization for
Standardization ("ISO") establishes standards for compliance with these
Directives, particularly for quality system requirements.. The FDA has adopted
regulations governing the design and manufacture of medical devices that are,
for the most part, harmonized with the ISO's quality system standards for
medical devices. The FDA's adoption of the ISO's approach to regulation and
other changes to the manner in which the FDA regulates medical devices will
increase the cost of compliance with those regulations.

         We will be subject to certain registration, record-keeping and Medical
Device Reporting requirements of the FDA. Our manufacturing facilities, or those
of our strategic partners, will be obligated to follow the FDA's Quality System
Regulation and be subject to periodic FDA inspections. Any failure to comply
with the Quality System Regulation or any other FDA or other government
regulations could have a material adverse effect on our future operations.

         For sale and use in the United States, our System products will need to
be cleared for marketing by the FDA as described above. We cannot be sure that
the FDA will clear the System products. Internationally, the System products may
be subject to various government regulations, which may delay the introduction
of new products and services and adversely affect our cost of doing business.

         The System products are also subject to regulation in the United States
under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act ("CLIA"). ("CLIA") was passed by
Congress to establish quality standards for laboratories conducting testing, in
an effort to ensure the accuracy, reliability and timeliness of patient test
results, regardless of where the test was performed. The requirements for
laboratories vary depending on the complexity of the tests performed there.
Thus, the more complicated the test, the more




                                       10

<PAGE>   11

stringent the requirement. Tests are categorized as high complexity, moderate
complexity (including the category of provider performed microscopy), and waived
tests. CLIA specifies quality standards for laboratory proficiency testing,
patient test management, quality control, personnel qualifications and quality
assurance, as applicable.

         Under the regulations issued in 1992 (which implemented the
requirements of the CLIA), the FDA was assigned the responsibility of
categorizing the complexity of commercially marketed laboratory tests. This
responsibility was initially delegated to the Center for Disease Control ("CDC")
because of budgetary considerations. Recently, CLIA complexity categorization
responsibility for commercially marketed tests has been transferred from the CDC
back to the FDA. The CDC continues to be responsible for categorization of
laboratory procedures such as provider-performed microscopy. For commercially
marketed tests, the FDA now determines the appropriate complexity category as
they review premarket submissions for clinical laboratory devices. Manufacturers
are asked to include an extra copy of the package insert identified as "FOR CLIA
CLASSIFICATION" in the submission for product commercialization (i.e., 510(k) or
PMA). Manufacturers are notified of the assigned complexity through routine FDA
correspondence (e.g. as an enclosure with a clearance or approval letter or as a
separate letter in response to other submissions). Categorization is effective
as of the data of the written notification to the manufacturer.

         We are developing the System POS products to be user-friendly, require
minimum operator training, and have safety and operating checks built into the
functionality of the instruments. We believe that our efforts will result in the
lowest possible classification by the FDA and/or the CDC. However, we cannot be
sure that the System POS products will be assigned to the lowest possible
classification. If the System products are classified into a higher category, it
may have a significant impact on our ability to market the product in the United
States.

         We currently offer Samba products for sale in the United States, Europe
and South America. Many applications for Samba products do not require
regulatory clearance or approval. Expanding certain Samba product sales in the
United States for use in certain clinical applications may require FDA
clearance. If such clearance is necessary, it will likely delay the sales of
these products for certain clinical applications in the U.S. market and also
increase our cost of doing business. Samba has clearance, where necessary, to
sell its current products in France and certain other countries outside of the
United States.

         RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

         Our research and development efforts are focused on introducing new
products as well as enhancing our existing product line. We utilize both
in-house and contracted research and development efforts. We believe that this
commitment to research and development is critical to the success of our
business strategy. During years 2000 and 1999, and the period from March 16,
1998 (inception) through December 31, 1998, our research and development
expenditures were $3,426,000, $1,782,000, and $181,000, respectively.

         We completed pre-clinical testing of the sample collection device and
began a clinical trial during 2000. We anticipate submitting the results of this
trial to the FDA in the form of a 510(k) Notification by the end of the second
quarter of 2001.




                                       11
<PAGE>   12


         We completed the design of the laboratory version of the System,
including selection of instrument components, and initially tested its use in
early 2001 in a small pilot study. This study is the precursor of a large-scale
clinical trial of the complete System to be conducted in the U.S., South
America, Europe, and China during 2001. The Chinese portion of the trial,
encompassing 9,000 patients, is currently scheduled to commence during the
second quarter of 2001. Upon completion, we intend to include the results of
these trials in submissions to the FDA and healthcare authorities in other areas
of the world where required, to support the introduction and marketing of the
System.


         The design specifications for the POS analysis instrument were
completed and prototypes, including instruments to be used for demonstration
purposes, are being assembled for final testing.

         We reviewed and validated the performance of over thirty biological
components for use in our Cocktail. We used samples from patients with normal
and abnormal (those with cancer or its precursors) pathology reports. We
selected the initial combination of components that we will use in our upcoming
large-scale trials.


         Our research work in the area of chemical and biological components
will continue for the foreseeable future as we seek to refine the current
process and add additional capabilities to our analysis procedure, including the
detection of other forms of cancer and precursors to cancer.

         We anticipate the need to invest a substantial amount of capital in the
research and development process, including the cost of clinical trials, in
order to complete the development and use of the System and introduce it into
the market.

         COMPONENTS AND RAW MATERIALS.

         Low cost products are a key component of our business strategy. We
designed the sample collection device using widely available and inexpensive
silicone and plastic materials. These materials are available from numerous
sources and can be fabricated into finished devices by a variety of
manufacturers within and outside the U.S. We can use sources outside of the U.S.
based on the need to service a particular market with the lowest cost possible
product.

         The instrument components of the laboratory version of the System are
available from a number of sources. Computers, cameras, automated slide-staining
instruments and automated slide-preparation instruments are currently available
from several large manufacturers. AccuMed currently supplies the automated
microscopy instrument used in our System. Similar devices are available from
other manufacturers.

         The POS instrument is designed to use off-the-shelf components and a
limited number of custom manufactured parts. The strategic partner we choose to
manufacture this




                                       12

<PAGE>   13


instrument, as is the case with the company building the prototypes, will be
responsible for sourcing, fabrication, and assembly of all components into the
final instrument.

          Samba's software products are compatible with various off-the-shelf
computers, computer components, microscopes, and imaging equipment.

         WORKING CAPITAL PRACTICES.

         We have not sold any System products to date. We have financed our
operations and development work by raising funds through the sale of debt or
equity in the Company. We will continue to use these methods to fund the Company
until such time as we are able to generate revenues from the sales of some or
all of our products.

          The sale of Samba products generates revenue that is used to support
Samba operations. Samba has also obtained a 1.3 million French Franc
(approximately $185,000) revolving line of credit from its bank to provide
supplemental funds as needed. Availability of funds under the line of credit is
based on and secured by Samba's monthly billings to customers. The line is
especially helpful, since collection periods for many customers may exceed
standard thirty-day terms. Customers requiring government funding to pay their
bills or customers outside of France often take longer than thirty-days to pay.
When possible, Samba requires a significant deposit on an order before ordering
any equipment or beginning any work.

         Similarly, we believe that future sales of System products into
international markets will result in collection periods that may be longer than
for domestic sales of System products or Samba products. Our strategy is to use
Letters of Credit or other secured forms of payment, whenever possible, in sales
of System products in international markets.

         EMPLOYEES.

           As of March 15, 2001, we employed a total of 22 full-time employees
in the United States (11 employees) and France (11 employees). The Samba
employees in France are represented by a national labor union (customary to all
French workers), and Samba management considers its relations with its employees
to be good.



      CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF
             THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995.

         There are forward-looking statements throughout this report that are
not historical facts, including statements in this Item 1 and statements
contained in material incorporated into this report by reference. These
statements are based on our current expectations and involve many risks and
uncertainties. Some of these risks and uncertainties are factors that affect all
international businesses, while others are specific to us and the areas of the
medical products industry in which we operate.

         The factors below in some cases have affected our historical results
and could affect our future results, causing them to differ, possibly
materially, from those expressed in this report's forward-looking statements.
These factors include: economic conditions;




                                       13

<PAGE>   14


technological advances in the medical field; demand and market acceptance risks
for new and existing products, technologies, and healthcare services; the impact
of competitive products and pricing; manufacturing capacity; new plant
start-ups; U.S. and international regulatory, trade, and tax policies; product
development risks, including technological difficulties; ability to enforce
patents; and unforeseen foreign regulatory and commercialization factors.

         Currency fluctuations are also a significant variable for global
companies, especially fluctuations in local currencies where hedging
opportunities are unreasonably expensive or unavailable. If the value of the
U.S. dollar strengthens relative to the currencies of the countries in which we
market or intend to market our products, our ability to achieve projected sales
and net earnings in such countries could be adversely affected.

         We believe that our expectations with regard to forward-looking
statements are based upon reasonable assumptions within the bounds of our
current business and operations knowledge, but we cannot be sure that our actual
results or performance will conform to any future results or performance
expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC OPERATIONS AND EXPORT SALES

         Our current operations outside the U.S. are conducted by Samba. Sales
of Samba products have accounted for all of the Company's sales reported to
date.

         Markets outside of the U.S. are an important factor in our business
strategy. Any business that operates on a worldwide basis and conducts its
business in one or more local currencies is subject to risks of fluctuations in
the value of those currencies against the U.S. Dollar. It is subject to changing
political climates and differences in culture and the practices of doing
business. It is also subject to United States and foreign governmental actions,
such as export / import rules, tariffs and duties, embargoes, trade sanctions,
etc. We do not regard these risks as a deterrent to our strategy to introduce
our System products to markets outside the U.S.

         As we begin to market and sell our System products, we will closely
review our foreign operational procedures. We will attempt to adopt strategies
to minimize risks of changing economic and political conditions within foreign
countries.

ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

         We occupy approximately 5,700 square feet of leased space at 414 N.
Orleans St., Suite 510, Chicago, Illinois 60610, under a lease which expires in
September 2006. This space houses the executive offices of the Company, as
well as a research laboratory and certain engineering and research staff. Samba
leases approximately 300 square meters of space in a suburb of Grenoble, France,
at 53, chemin du Vieux Chene, 38240 Meylan. The Samba lease has a term of nine
years expiring in 2008. Samba has the option to terminate the lease at the end
of each three-year period. The location houses Samba's administrative, sales,
and research and development activities.





                                       14

<PAGE>   15



         We consider all of our facilities to be well utilized, well maintained,
and in good operating condition. We consider the facilities to be suitable for
their intended purposes, and to have capacities and projected capacities
adequate to meet current and projected needs for our operations.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


         On October 20, 2000, we filed suit in Circuit Court of Cook County,
Illinois (Case No. 00 CH 15652), against SpectRx, Inc. and Welch Allyn, Inc. Our
suit seeks injunctive relief and damages from SpectRx, Inc. based on a complaint
of fraud and breach of certain confidentiality agreements with regard to our
business plans, marketing plans, and technology related to in-vivo diagnostic
devices. In the course of negotiations contemplating a joint venture to develop
new medical products, we provided confidential information to SpectRx. The
information covered cancer detection systems relying on fluorescence
technologies as well as bio-molecular marking agents for use in applications
within and outside of the body. We also provided SpectRx with marketing plans,
revenue, income and cash flow projections, product development and launch plans,
and product distribution strategies. In addition, we provided SpectRx with
certain confidential technical information regarding patent applications,
measurement technologies, design specifications, quantitative analyses,
optimization techniques, positional information for cellular mapping, and other
technical specifications. Subsequent to the disclosure of our information to
SpectRx, they entered into a business arrangement with Welch Allyn, Inc. to
develop products of a similar nature to those discussed with us. The suit also
charges SpectRx, Inc. and Welch Allyn, Inc. with misappropriation of our trade
secrets in violation of the Illinois Trade Secrets Act.



         Our suit was filed in response to a suit filed by SpectRx, Inc. in the
Superior Court of Gwinnett County, Georgia (Civil Action NO. 00-A-7604 1),
seeking a Declaratory Judgment (but no monetary damages or other relief) that
SpectRx, Inc. did not breach the confidentiality agreements as charged in our
suit. On July 5, 2001, we filed counterclaims, similar to the claims outlined
in our Illinois suit, to the SpectRx action in Georgia.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         There were no matters submitted to a vote of stockholders during the
fourth quarter of 2000.

                                     PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

MARKET INFORMATION

         Our Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Over-the-Counter Bulletin
Board Market under the symbol "AMPM" (prior to June 1, 1999 our Common Stock
traded under the symbol "BLBN").

         The following table lists the high and low closing sale prices per
share of Common Stock for the periods indicated, as reported on the Nasdaq
Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board Market. These prices represent prices between
dealers, and may not include retail mark-ups, mark-downs, or commissions.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      Closing Sales Price Range of Common
                                      -----------------------------------
                                                     Stock
                                                     -----
                                           High                       Low
                                           ----                       ---
Year Ended December 31, 2000
----------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                        <C>
1st Quarter                               $5.563                     $1.000
2nd Quarter                               $4.125                     $2.375
3rd Quarter                               $3.500                     $1.938
4th Quarter                               $2.875                     $0.750
</TABLE>






                                       15
<PAGE>   16


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Year Ended December 31, 1999
----------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>                        <C>
1st Quarter                                                      $0.688                     $0.250
2nd Quarter                                                      $0.750                     $0.250
3rd Quarter                                                      $0.625                     $0.250
4th Quarter                                                      $0.813                     $0.250
</TABLE>

HOLDERS

         As of March 15, 2001, we had approximately 1,100 record holders of our
shares of Common Stock. This number does not include other persons who may hold
only a beneficial interest, and not an interest of record, in our Common Stock.

DIVIDENDS

         We have not paid a cash dividend and the Board of Directors is not
contemplating paying one at this time.

STOCK TRANSFER AGENT

         Our stock transfer agent is Continental Stock Transfer and Trust Co., 2
Broadway, New York, New York 10004, phone (212) 509-4000.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

         In October 2000, the Board of Directors authorized management to raise
additional new equity to support our future operations. In February 2001, we
sold 1,333,856 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to a limited
number of U.S. and foreign accredited investors in a private offering. The
Series B Preferred Stock has a stated value of $4.00 per share, an annual
dividend rate of 10%, and is convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price
equal to $1.00 per share of Common Stock. We received net cash proceeds from the
February 2001 offering of $5,176,000, including $500,000 received as a deposit
in December 2000. Proceeds from the offering will be used to fund monthly loans
to, and complete the merger with AccuMed, repay certain outstanding
indebtedness, fund clinical studies and trials of our products, and general
working capital.

         Several advisory groups, contracted to assist us in completing this
offering, were compensated through the payment of $159,000 in cash, the issuance
of 374,000 shares of Common Stock, and the issuance of warrants to purchase
534,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

         The selected financial data shown below is derived from the audited
Consolidated Financial Statements and notes included elsewhere in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.

    FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000 AND 1999 AND THE PERIOD FROM
             MARCH 16, 1998 (INCEPTION) THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1998.



                                       16

<PAGE>   17
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per-share data)

                                                             2000               1999             1998
                                                      ------------------- ----------------- ----------------
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>             <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
     Net Sales                                                  $ 1,094           $ 1,040           $    0
     Operating (loss)                                          ($ 6,688)         ($ 4,117)         ($  783)
     Net (loss)                                                ($ 6,611)         ($ 4,226)         ($  789)
PER SHARE DATA:
     Net (loss)                                                ($  0.24)         ($  0.29)         ($ 0.07)
     Weighted average shares outstanding                     27,869,274        14,336,667       12,000,000
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
     Working capital (deficit)                                 ($ 3,301)         ($ 3,204)        ($    80)
     Total assets                                               $ 4,575           $ 1,871           $1,699
     Notes payable: current                                     $ 1,105           $ 1,095           $   75
     Notes payable: long-term                                      $  0           $    26           $  156
     Stockholders' equity (deficit)                            ($   125)         ($2,040)           $  728
</TABLE>


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
         CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW:

         Ampersand Medical Corporation, which may also be referred to as
"Ampersand", was incorporated in Delaware in December 1998 as the successor to
Bell National Corporation ("Bell National"). Bell National was incorporated in
California in 1958. In December 1998, Bell National (then a shell corporation
without any business activity) acquired InPath, LLC ("InPath"), a development
stage company engaged in the design and development of products used in
screening for cervical and other types of cancer. For accounting purposes, we
treated the acquisition as if InPath had acquired Bell National. However, Bell
National continued as the legal entity and the registrant for both Securities
and Exchange Commission filing purposes and income tax filing purposes. Bell
National merged into Ampersand, its wholly owned subsidiary in May of 1999 in
order to change the state of incorporation of the Company to Delaware. Except
where the context otherwise requires "Ampersand", the "Company" or "We" refers
to Ampersand, its subsidiaries, and its predecessor.

         As mentioned in Item 1, for financial reporting and accounting
purposes, we treated the acquisition of InPath by Bell National as if InPath had
acquired Bell National. We recorded the issuance of Common Stock, combined the
equity of the two companies, and we did not record any goodwill. Information
presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements includes the operations of
InPath from March 16, 1998 (inception) and the operations of the combined
Company from December 4, 1998.

         We are focused on the design, development and marketing of the InPath
System (the "System") of products. These products are intended to detect, at the
earliest possible stage,


                                       17


<PAGE>   18
cancer and cancer related diseases. These products may be used in a laboratory,
clinic, or doctor's office. Ampersand has a wholly owned subsidiary, Samba
Technologies, Sarl, based in France. We bought all of the assets of Samba in
January 1999, from Unilog Regions, SA for approximately $500,000 in cash. Samba
designs, develops and markets web-enabled software based systems for image
analysis, image capture, and image transmission and management for clinical and
industrial applications. Samba also is developing the software used in the
System. All of our reported revenue to date has been from the sale of Samba
products and services.

REVENUE:

         We were considered a development stage company during 1998 and had no
revenues. On January 4, 1999, our subsidiary, Samba, acquired the business of
the Samba department of Unilog Regions, SA. All of our reported revenues for the
years 2000 and 1999, amounting to $1,094,000 and $1,040,000, respectively, were
produced through the sale of Samba products and services.


         Revenues for the year 2000 reflect an increase of $54,000, or 5% over
the prior year as a result of additional sales of tele-medicine products in
France. Samba conducts its operations in local currency, the French
Franc. We convert their local currency results into U.S. Dollars for
consolidated reporting purposes. During 2000, the average exchange rate of the
Euro (the European Union currency to which the French Franc is fixed) to the
U.S. Dollar declined by approximately 15%. This decline reduced the translated
U.S. Dollar value of Samba's 2000 revenues by approximately $169,000. Samba
revenue recognition may be subject to the timing of receipt and completion of
customer contracts from period to period. We may experience quarter-to-quarter,
and year-to-year, variability in revenues as a result of these contract-timing
issues until we begin to market some or all of our other products.

COSTS AND EXPENSES:

COST OF GOODS SOLD:

         Cost of goods sold for 2000 and 1999, amounting to $637,000 and
$542,000 respectively, relate to the Samba revenues and represent the cost of
computer and imaging hardware, purchased services and other products, and
software engineering labor and related expenses. The increase in 2000 costs over
1999 costs reflects the increase in the level of business as well as a change in
the product-mix components of sales. The hardware component of Samba sales
generates a much higher level of cost to revenue, and a related lower gross
margin, than do the software or service components. Samba may supply necessary
hardware, the customer may supply hardware directly, or hardware already in use
at the customer location may be utilized. There is no set pattern in contract
hardware and software components. We did not incur any costs related to product
sales in 1998.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT:

         We devote a substantial amount of our resources to research and
development ("R&D") efforts related to new products including markers, tests,
instruments and software applications, as well as modifications and refinements
of our existing products. In 2000, our R&D expenses were $3,426,000 compared to
$1,782,000 in 1999, an increase of 92%. R&D expenses consist of costs related to
specific development programs with scientists and researchers at universities
and hospitals; full scale device development contracts begun during 1999 with
industrial design and manufacturing companies covering the disposable and
instrument components of the System; payments to medical and engineering
consultants for advice related to the design and development of our products and
their potential uses in the medical technology marketplace; and payroll related
costs for in-house engineering, scientific, laboratory, software development,
and research management staff. During 2000, we incurred significant additional
costs of $160,000 to expand our in-house research related staff; $170,000 to
cover additional medical and technical consultants, including costs related to
full year engagements for those added in 1999; $260,000 to expand our contract
research staffs and related laboratory operations; $110,000 to cover costs
related to clinical trials and studies; and $700,000 in additional outside
design and development costs related to instruments and disposable test
products. These costs were offset by a reduction in software development costs
related to Samba products of approximately $150,000. In order to reduce our cash
R&D expenses, a portion of the




                                       18

<PAGE>   19
compensation paid to consultants may be in the form of awards of our Common
Stock (with restrictions attached) or grants of options to purchase our Common
Stock. Since these awards and/or option grants cover services to be performed
over a future time period, we are required to calculate their market value at
the end of each reporting period until the work is complete. Included in the
above R&D expense amounts for 2000 and 1999, are non-cash costs of $446,000 and
$67,000, respectively, related to the calculated cost of these share awards and
options that were charged to expense in each period.


         The R&D expenses of $1,782,000 in 1999 represent an increase of 885%
over 1998 R&D expenses of $181,000. The 1999 expenses reflect a significant
expansion of the product development process, including significant additional
costs of approximately $140,000 to expand our in-house research related staff;
$280,000 to cover medical and technical consultants; $670,000 in outside
development costs related to instruments; and approximately $200,000 in software
development costs related to newly acquired Samba products, as well as non-cash
costs outlined above, of which there were none in 1998. The 1998 expenses
reflect R&D expenses incurred over a nine-month period of early stage
development of the System.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE:

         In 2000, selling, general, and administrative expenses ("SG&A") were
$3,719,000 compared to $2,833,000 in 1999, an increase of 31%. Significant
components of SG&A are compensation costs for executive, sales and
administrative personnel, professional fees primarily related to legal or
accounting services, travel costs, fees for public and / or investor relations
services, insurance premiums, recruitment fees, marketing related costs,
amortization and depreciation. The increase in SG&A expenses for 2000, including
significant additional costs of approximately $210,000 for staff and expenses
related to the newly established sales and marketing activity; $100,000 in legal
costs primarily related to litigation; and $200,000 in travel costs related to
both the sales and marketing activity, management of a broader operation, and
continued efforts to raise new equity.


         In 1989, the Company issued 450,000 Stock Appreciation Rights ("SARs")
to Cadmus Corporation, a company controlled by Alexander Mulley, one of our
directors and a significant stockholder. These SARs entitle the holder to
receive a payment equal to the amount by which the market price of our Common
Stock, at the time of exercise, exceeds $0.30 per share. We can make the payment
in cash or by issuing an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock. The SARs
expire in November 2001. We are required to charge an amount to expense at the
end of each interim reporting period, which represents the excess of the closing
market price of our Common Stock over the exercise price at that point in time,
until the SARs are exercised or expire. The charge to expense is cumulative over
the life of the SARs and increases or decreases from period to period in
conjunction with the movement of our Common Stock price. Included in the above
SG&A expense amounts for 2000 and 1999 are non-cash expenses of $91,000 and
$231,000, respectively, which represents the calculated cost of the SARs charged
to expense in each period.

         In order to reduce our cash SG&A expenses, we may issue shares of our
Common Stock (with restrictions attached) or grant options, or warrants to
purchase shares of our Common Stock in lieu of compensation or payments for
financial advisory work, including advice on deal structure, finder fees,
investor relations and introductory services, and general financial and
investment advise. If the services are completed, we record an expense based on
the value of the services. If the services are to be




                                       19


<PAGE>   20

completed over a future period of time, we are required to calculate a market
value for the shares, options, or warrants at the end of each reporting period
until the services are completed. Included in the above SG&A expense amounts for
2000 are non-cash expenses of $66,000 related to the calculated cost of these
share awards, options, and warrants, charged to expense in the period. There
were no such non-cash costs in 1999.

         The 1999 SG&A expenses of $2,833,000 represent an increase of 371% over
the 1998 amount of $602,000. The increase for 1999 is the result of a
significant expansion in the scale of our operations over the initial
formulation stages during the 1998 nine month operating period from InPath's
founding in March of that year. 1999 SG&A compensation costs increased
approximately $700,000 as a result of additional executive personnel and
administrative staff (the original founder and current CEO of Ampersand did not
take any compensation until October 1998) including those involved with Samba.
The change in our status from a privately held company in 1998 to a publicly
held company in 1999 resulted in expense increases of approximately $200,000,
primarily for professional services and insurance. Organization costs and the
amortization of goodwill, both related to Samba amounting to $225,000, and
royalty expense of $250,000 related to our Patent and Technology License with
AccuMed, are also included as 1999 expenses.

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE:

INTEREST INCOME:

         During 2000, we earned interest income on notes receivable from Seaside
Partners, L.P. and AccuMed amounting to $73,000. We had no interest income in
1999 or 1998.

INTEREST EXPENSE:

         In 2000, our interest expense amounted to $235,000 compared to $86,000
in 1999, an increase of 173%. The increase reflects a higher rate of interest
paid on new borrowings issued during the year offset by elimination of interest
on a series of 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes issued during 1999, which
automatically converted into Common Stock on April 28, 2000. The 2000 amount
also includes a non-cash expense of $139,000 representing the amortization debt
discount. We issued two $500,000 Convertible Promissory Notes, in September and
November of 2000, respectively, in exchange for cash. The notes provide the
holder with an option to convert the principal of the notes into our Common
Stock at a conversion price of $1.00 per share any time after 180 days have
elapsed from the original note issue date. Since the conversion price was less
than the market price of our Common Stock at the time of the transaction, the
holders are considered to have a beneficial conversion feature. We are required
to record the calculated value of this beneficial conversion feature, amounting
to $250,000, as debt discount, and to amortize the discount as additional
interest expense over the life of the note.

         In 1999 we incurred interest expense of $86,000. The amount primarily
reflects the interest due on the series of 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due
2000 issued during 1999. Interest expense for 1998 was not significant.

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSE, NET:




                                       20


<PAGE>   21


         We had a dispute with our former outside legal counsel regarding
services and fees. We recorded the disputed fee expense, represented by invoices
and a note payable, in 1999 and 1998. We also recorded accrued interest and
expense on that note payable for each of those periods plus an additional $6,000
for the current year. In September 2000, we settled the dispute for
approximately $226,000 less than the existing liability and recorded the amount
as other income. To be consistent with 1999 consolidated reporting, we also
treated $14,000 in refundable income taxes, related to an R&D credit due to
Samba under French taxation rules, as other income.

         In 1999, we wrote off $100,000 paid to AccuMed as compensation for a
"no shop" clause in a Letter of Intent between AccuMed and the Company, whereby
we sought to license and purchase certain automated microscopy technology. We
were unable to reach a final agreement and terminated negotiations in September
1999. We also moved our corporate offices to a new location and wrote off
$21,000 representing the net remaining value of leasehold improvements related
to our old space.

         In accordance with taxation rules in France, Samba recorded refundable
income taxes in 1999 in the amount of $100,000. These refundable taxes represent
a research and development credit against future income taxes, or a direct cash
refund available to Samba. For consolidated reporting purposes, we treated this
credit as other income.

NET LOSS:

         Our net loss for 2000 was $6,611,000, or $0.24 per share on 27,869,274
weighted average outstanding shares. The 2000 weighted average outstanding
shares are 94% higher than the 1999 average. During the year, we sold additional
shares of our Common Stock in a private offering and a series of 6% Convertible
Subordinated Notes issued by us in 1999 were automatically converted into shares
of Common Stock in 2000.

         Our net loss for 1999 was $4,226,000, or $0.29 per share on 14,336,667
weighted average outstanding shares. Our net loss for the period March 16, 1998
(inception) through December 31, 1998 was $789,000, or $0.07 per share, on
12,000,000 weighted average outstanding shares. The calculation of net loss per
share for 1998 assumes that all shares of the Company were outstanding for the
entire period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         R&D, clinical trials and other studies of the components of our System,
conversions from designs and prototypes into product manufacturing, initial
sales and marketing efforts, medical consultants and advisors, and research,
administrative, and executive personnel are and will continue to be the
principal basis for our cash requirements. We have provided operating funds for
the business over the last two years through private offerings of debt or equity
in the Company to limited numbers of U.S. and foreign accredited investors. We
may be required to make additional such offerings in the future in order to
continue to support the operations of the business until some or all of our
products are introduced into the market.

         We will also require cash to fund monthly loans required under the
Agreement to support AccuMed's working capital needs until the earlier of the
closing of the merger or May 31, 2001,




                                       21

<PAGE>   22

fund other costs related to the completion of the acquisition of AccuMed, and to
make various technology license payments.

         At December 31, 2000 we had cash on hand of $13,000. In February 2001,
we sold 1,333,856 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock to a limited
number of U.S. and foreign accredited investors in a private offering. We
received net cash proceeds from the February 2001 offering of $5,176,000,
including $500,000 received as a deposit in December 2000. We had cash on hand
at December 31, 1999 of $36,000.

         During January 2000, funds received under a late 1999 private offering
cleared our bank and we completed the sale of 1,712,120 shares of Common Stock
for total gross proceeds of $565,000.

         Between February 7, 2000 and April 30, 2000 we sold 3,583,330 shares of
our Common Stock at a price of $1.50 per share, for total proceeds of $5,329,000
in a private offering authorized by the Board in January 2000. We received
$23,000 in cash proceeds during 2000 from the exercise of a warrant to purchase
70,000 shares of our Common Stock. We also received cash proceeds of $17,000
from the sale of 21,989 shares of Common Stock to employees in accordance with
the terms of the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

         On April 28, 2000, we sold 1,333,333 shares of our Common Stock to
Seaside Partners, L.P., a hedge fund, at $1.50 per share, or total proceeds of
$2,000,000. Dr. Denis M. O'Donnell, one of our directors, is a member and
manager of Seaside Advisors, L.L.C., which provides investment management
services to Seaside Partners, L.P. The sale was in conjunction with the private
offering of our Common Stock covered in the preceding paragraph. In lieu of
cash, we agreed to accept payment in the form of a $2,000,000 Promissory Note
due July 27, 2000 and bearing interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The note
provisions allow for prepayment at anytime and the due date may be extended by
mutual agreement. We retain the stock certificates until the note principal and
accrued interest are both paid in full, and the Purchase Subscription Agreement
and the note are not voidable or cancelable for any reason. We agreed to extend
the due date of the note until November 30, 2000. Seaside, L.P. has made
payments against the principal of the note amounting to $1,550,000. The note is
currently in default and we are negotiating revised terms with Seaside Partners,
L.P., including a new due date and penalties for the default.

         Between March 1, 1999 and June 30, 1999, we issued a series of 6%
Convertible Subordinated Notes in exchange for $994,600 in cash. A $25,000 Note
was converted into our Common Stock on June 4, 1999. All of the remaining Notes,
plus accrued interest due thereon, were automatically converted into our Common
Stock on April 28, 2000. Notes held by Seaside Partners, L.P. and Leonard R.
Prange, President, COO/CFO of the Company were automatically converted into our
Common Stock under the same terms and conditions as all the other Notes in the
series. Denis M. O'Donnell, M.D., one of our directors, is a member and manager
of Seaside Advisors, L.L.C., a firm, which provides investment management
services to Seaside, L.P.

         In July 1999, Samba negotiated a Revolving Credit Line ("Revolver")
with Banc National de Paris ("BNP"). The terms of the Revolver provide that
Samba may borrow, in the form of an advance on payment against monthly billings,
up to a maximum of 1.3 million French Francs, approximately $185,000
U.S.Dollars. The terms of the Revolver require




                                       22


<PAGE>   23


Samba to pay interest at Euribor plus 2.5% (8.1% at December 31, 2000) on
advances outstanding under the Revolver and grant BNP a security interest in
Samba accounts receivable. The Revolver was renewed in January 2001. As of
December 31, 2000, an amount of $127,000 was outstanding against the Revolver.

         On December 10, 1999, we issued a Senior Convertible Promissory Note to
Azimuth, a company controlled by Alexander M. Milley, one of our directors and a
significant shareholder of the Company, in exchange for $50,000 in cash. The
conversion price of the Note was $0.20 per share. On February 22, 2000, Azimuth
exercised its right to convert the note and accrued interest due thereon into
256,250 shares of our Common Stock.

         On March 30, 2000, the Company and AccuMed signed an Agreement to
resolve a dispute over a Patent and Technology License Agreement ("License")
originally dated September 4, 1998, between InPath and AccuMed. The Amendment to
the License ("Amendment"), contemplated by that Agreement was signed on June 9,
2000. The Amendment assigns the License directly to Ampersand, eliminates the
minimum royalty payment schedule in the original License, and reduces the
royalty rate to 4%. We made cash payments to AccuMed under the Amendment
totaling $600,000, issued a $100,000 convertible promissory note, which we
prepaid on December 11, 2000, and issued 128,571 shares of our Common Stock to
AccuMed. We agreed to provide AccuMed with price protection equal to $3.50 per
share on the 128,571 shares of Common Stock until a measurement date 60 days
following the date on which the shares are registered for sale. The Amendment
provides that the cash payments represent the final minimum license payment and
advanced non-refundable royalty payments. The Amendment also provides that the
$100,000 principal amount of the note and the 128,571 shares of Common Stock to
a value of $450,000 also represent advanced non-refundable royalty payments.

         As a further result of the signing of the Amendment in June 2000, we
recorded $500,000 in prepaid royalties. This amount represented the reversal of
an accrual of minimum royalty payments due under the original License and their
related charge to expense, including $250,000 accrued and charged to expense in
1999.

         In June 2000, we entered into a License and Technology Agreement (the
"Agreement") with Invirion, a company controlled by Dr. Bruce Patterson,
granting us exclusive rights to certain medical technology for the detection of
oncogenic (cancer causing) types of the Human Papilloma Virus ("HPV"). The
Agreement provides for $500,000 in cash payments and the issuance of warrants to
purchase 400,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01, based
on technology delivery milestones. On September 12, 2000, all of the parties
signed the First Addendum to the Agreement. The First Addendum provides that all
parties agreed that Invirion's ownership and patentablity of the technology was
established, the initial HPV probe was delivered, and the first development
milestone under the Agreement was met, and that the $250,000 in cash payments
due would be paid in equal installments over a period of ten months. We also
issued warrants to purchase 250,000 shares of our Common Stock at an exercise
price of $0.01 per share in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and First
Addendum signing. We used the Black-Scholes valuation model to determine a fair
value for the warrants of $530,000 and recorded the amount as capitalized
license and additional paid in capital. In January 2001, all of the parties
signed the Second Addendum to the Agreement. The Second Addendum provides that
all parties agree that the second development milestone under the Agreement




                                       23


<PAGE>   24

was met in December 2000 and that the $150,000 cash payment due as a result
would be paid in equal installments over a period of six months beginning in
January 2000. The Second Addendum also amended the Agreement to more closely
reflect Dr. Patterson's inventorship and ownership of the technology.

         We also signed a Development Agreement with Invirion and Dr. Patterson
in June of 2000, to complete the development and integration of the HPV product
with the System. We paid $100,000 in cash to cover all costs to complete the
development project.

         On September 22, 2000, we issued a Convertible Promissory Note to
Azimuth in exchange for $500,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the rate of
15% per year and is due twelve months from the date of issue. The Note is
convertible into our Common Stock, any time after the expiration of the first
180 days of the loan term, at a conversion price of $1.00 per share. Since the
conversion price was less than the market price of our Common Stock at the time
of the transaction the holders are considered to have a beneficial conversion
feature. We recorded a value of $125,000 to this beneficial conversion feature
as debt discount, reducing the carrying amount of the debt. The debt discount is
amortized as additional interest expense over the life of the note. During 2000,
we recorded a charge of $34,000 to interest expense to reflect the amortized
amount of debt discount.

         We used $300,000 in proceeds from this Note to fund a loan to AccuMed
described below. The balance was used to fund license payments and the initial
payment of a settlement arrangement with our former legal counsel.

         On September 22, 2000, in conjunction with the signing of a Letter of
Intent to merge with AccuMed International, Inc., we loaned AccuMed $300,000 in
cash in exchange for a Promissory Note bearing interest at 2.5% above the Prime
Rate. On February 7, 2001, this Note was cancelled and replaced by a new
Promissory Note, secured by AccuMed's inventory, issued in conjunction with the
signing of a definitive agreement under which, we would acquire AccuMed.

         On November 1, 2000, we issued a Convertible Promissory Note to Monsun,
AS in exchange for $500,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the rate of 15%
per year and is due twelve months from the date of issue. The Note is
convertible into our Common Stock, any time after the expiration of the first
180 days of the loan term, at a conversion price of $1.00 per share. Since the
conversion price was less than the market price of our Common Stock at the time
of the transaction the holders are considered to have a beneficial conversion
feature. We recorded a value of $125,000 to this beneficial conversion feature
as debt discount, reducing the carrying amount of the debt. The debt discount is
amortized as additional interest expense over the life of the note. During 2000,
we recorded a charge of $21,000 to interest expense to reflect the amortized
amount of debt discount.

         On December 4, 2000, we issued a Promissory Note to Azimuth in exchange
for $200,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the rate of 12% per year and
was due December 31, 2000. As additional consideration for the note we issued
Azimuth a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of our Common Stock at a price of
$0.937 per share, the approximate market price of our stock at the time. Since
the note was not repaid until February 20, 2001 we were required to pay a 3%
increase in the rate of interest from January




                                       24

<PAGE>   25
1, 2001 until the date of payment. We also were required to issue Azimuth two
warrants, each to purchase 12,500 shares of our Common Stock, at an exercise
price of $0.01 per share.

           On December 11, 2000, we issued a Promissory Note to Azimuth
Corporation in exchange for $100,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the
rate of 12% per year and was due 180 days from date of issue. As additional
consideration for the note we issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase 1,000,000
shares of our Common Stock at a price of $1.25 per share, an approximate 15%
premium to the market price of our stock at the time. The proceeds of this note
were used to repay a Convertible Promissory Note to AccuMed due on March 29,
2001. The prepayment was made in conjunction with ongoing negotiations to
acquire AccuMed.

         On December 28, 2000, we loaned AccuMed a further $30,000 in
conjunction with the negotiations to acquire AccuMed. The loan was included in
the new secured Promissory Note signed on February 7, 2001.

         On February 7, 2001, we signed a definitive agreement (the "Agreement")
to merge our subsidiary, AccuMed Acquisition Corp., with AccuMed. AccuMed
Acquisition Corp. was formed for the purpose of doing the merger. AccuMed is
also in the cancer screening and diagnostics business. We license certain
patents and core technology from AccuMed. We also purchase their automated
instruments and integrate them into our system.

         Under the terms of the Agreement, we will exchange approximately
3,750,000 shares of our Common Stock for all of the outstanding
common stock of AccuMed. In addition, we will exchange approximately 590,000
shares of our Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for all of the outstanding
convertible preferred stock of AccuMed. The 590,000 shares of our Series A
Convertible Preferred stock are convertible into approximately 250,000 shares of
our Common Stock. The Agreement is subject to approval by the stockholders of
AccuMed. The Board and management of AccuMed have signed agreements to
vote their shares, representing approximately 18% of AccuMed's share of common
stock and 51% of AccuMed's convertible preferred stocks entitled to vote, for
approval of the Agreement. We anticipate closing the merger during this second
quarter of 2001.

         On February 1, 2001 and February 7, 2001, we received $495,000 in cash
from Azimuth in exchange for two promissory notes bearing interest at 15% per
year. Of the cash received, $470,000 was used to partially fund the loan to
AccuMed made on February 7, 2001, in connection with the Agreement. As
additional consideration for these loans, we issued Azimuth a warrant to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per
share. The warrant expires on February 7, 2006. On February 20, 2001, we used
$809,000 of the proceeds from the Series B Stock offering to repay these notes,
two additional notes issued to Azimuth in December 2000, and all of the related
accrued interest.

         Several advisory groups, contracted to assist us in completing February
2001 offering, referred to in the first paragraph of this section, were
compensated through the payment of $159,000 in cash, the issuance of 374,000
shares of Common Stock, and the issuance of warrants to purchase 534,000 shares
of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.

         The operation of the Company has been, and will continue to be,
dependent upon management's ability to raise operating capital in the form of
debt or equity. The Company has incurred significant operating losses since its
inception. The Company expects that significant on-going operating expenditures
will be necessary to successfully implement its



                                       25
<PAGE>   26


business plan and develop, manufacture and market its products. These
circumstances raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as
a going concern. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
obtain additional capital to meet its current operating needs, or to complete
pending or contemplated licenses or acquisitions of technologies. If the Company
is unable to raise sufficient adequate additional capital, or generate
profitable sales revenues, management may be forced to substantially curtail
product research and development and other activities and may be forced to cease
operations.



ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT
         MARKET RISK

         A market risk inherent in our financial statements is the potential
loss in fair value arising from adverse changes in interest rates. We do not
engage in any hedge transactions or use derivative financial instruments to
reduce our exposure to interest rate changes since all of our indebtedness is at
fixed interest rates. At December 31, 2000, the carrying amount of our debt
instruments approximated their fair value. In addition, as of December 31, 2000,
we were not exposed to any material foreign-currency, equity-price or other type
of market or price risk. Samba conducts the majority of its operations in Europe
using EURO and local European currencies. At December 31, 2000, we have recorded
a negative cumulative translation adjustment of $97,000 reflecting the
valuation, using December 31, 2000 currency exchange rates, of our investment in
and current account with Samba.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         Our Consolidated Financial Statements for the years ended December 31,
2000 and 1999 and the period March 16, 1998 (inception) through December 31,
1998, together with the report thereon of Ernst & Young LLP dated March 9, 2001,
are filed as part of this report commencing on page F-1.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
         ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         None

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

         The information required for this item is incorporated by reference to
the discussion captioned "ELECTION OF DIRECTORS" in the Company's Proxy
Statement for the 2001 annual meeting of shareholders.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         The information required for this item is incorporated by reference to
the discussion captioned "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION" in the Company's Proxy
Statement for the 2001 annual meeting of shareholders.



                                       26

<PAGE>   27


ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
         AND MANAGEMENT

         The information required for this item is incorporated by reference to
the discussion captioned "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT" in the Company's Proxy Statement for the 2001 annual meeting of
shareholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Between March 1, 1999 and June 30, 1999, we issued a series of 6%
Convertible Subordinated Notes in exchange for $994,600 in cash. A $25,000
Convertible Subordinated Note was converted into our Common Stock on June 4,
1999. All of the remaining Notes, plus accrued interest due thereon, were
automatically converted into our Common Stock on April 28, 2000. Notes held by
Seaside Partners, L.P., a hedge fund, and Leonard R. Prange, President, COO/CFO
of the Company were automatically converted into our Common Stock under the same
terms and conditions as all the other Notes in the series. Denis M. O'Donnell,
M.D., one of our directors, is a member and manager of Seaside Advisors, L.L.C.,
a firm, which provides investment management services to Seaside Partners, L.P.

         On December 10, 1999, we issued a Senior Convertible Promissory Note to
Azimuth, a company controlled by Alexander M. Milley, a director and significant
shareholder, in exchange for $50,000 in cash. As additional compensation for the
note, the Company issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $0.33 per share. On February 22, 2000 Azimuth
exercised its right to convert the note and accrued interest due thereon into
256,250 shares of Common Stock of the Company.

         On April 28, 2000, we sold 1,333,333 shares of our Common Stock to
Seaside Partners, L.P., at $1.50 per share, or total proceeds of $2,000,000. The
sale was in conjunction with the private offering of our Common Stock covered in
the preceding paragraph. In lieu of cash, we agreed to accept payment in the
form of a $2,000,000 Promissory Note due July 27, 2000 and bearing interest at
the rate of 8% per annum. The note provisions allow for prepayment at anytime
and the due date may be extended by mutual agreement. We retain the stock
certificates until the note principal and accrued interest are paid in full, and
the Purchase Subscription Agreement and the note are not voidable or cancelable
for any reason. We agreed to extend the due date of the note until November 30,
2000. Seaside has made payments against the principal of the note amounting to
$1,550,000. The note is currently in default and we are negotiating revised
terms with Seaside Partners, L.P., including a new due date and penalties for
the default.

         On September 22, 2000, we issued a Convertible Promissory Note to
Azimuth in exchange for $500,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the rate of
15% per year and is due twelve months from the date of issue. The Note is
convertible into our Common Stock, any time after the expiration of the first
180 days of the loan term, at a conversion price of $1.00 per share. Since the
conversion price was less than the market price of our Common Stock at the time
of the transaction the holders are considered to have a



                                       27

<PAGE>   28

beneficial conversion option. We are required to record the $125,000 calculated
value of this beneficial conversion option as debt discount, reducing the
carrying amount of the debt, and additional paid in capital. The debt discount
is amortized as additional interest expense over the life of the note. During
2000, we recorded a charge of $34,000 to interest expense to reflect the
amortized amount of debt discount.

         We used $300,000 in proceeds from this Note to fund a loan to AccuMed
described below. The balance was used to fund license payments and the initial
payment of a settlement arrangement with our former legal counsel.

         On December 4, 2000, we issued a Promissory Note to Azimuth in exchange
for $200,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the rate of 12% per year and
was due December 31, 2000. As additional consideration for the Note we issued
Azimuth a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of our Common Stock at a price of
$0.937 per share, the approximate market price of our stock at the time. Since
the Note was not repaid until February 20, 2000 we were required to pay a 3%
increase in the rate of interest from January 1, 2001 until the date of payment.
We also were required to issue Azimuth two warrants, each to purchase 12,500
shares of our Common Stock, at an exercise price of $0.01 per share.

         On December 11, 2000, we issued a Promissory Note to Azimuth in
exchange for $100,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the rate of 12% per
year and was due 180 days from date of issue. As additional consideration for
the note we issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of our Common
Stock at a price of $1.25 per share, an approximate 15% premium to the market
price of our stock at the time. The proceeds of this note were used to repay a
Convertible Promissory Note to AccuMed due on March 29, 2001. The prepayment was
made in conjunction with ongoing negotiations to acquire AccuMed.

         On February 1, 2001 and February 7, 2001, we received $495,000 in cash
from Azimuth in exchange for two promissory notes bearing interest at 15% per
year. Of the cash received, $470,000 was used to partially fund the loan to
AccuMed made on February 7, 2001, in connection with the Agreement. As
additional consideration for these loans, we issued Azimuth a warrant to
purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at our exercise price of $0.25 per
share. The warrant expires on February 7, 2006. On February 20, 2001, we used
$809,000 of the proceeds from the Series B Stock offering to repay these notes,
two additional notes issued to Azimuth in December 2000, and all of their
related accrued interest.

         We contracted with several advisory groups to assist us in conjunction
with private offerings of convertible debt and our Common Stock during 2000 and
1999. Compensation for these advisory services is in the form of cash, common
stock, and warrants to purchase common stock. As compensation for advisory
services on offerings made during 2000 and 1999, we issued warrants to purchase
784,901 shares of our Common Stock to Denis, M. O'Donnell, M.D, one of our
directors. Dr. O'Donnell is a member of Westgate Partners, L.L.C., one of the
advisory groups. Dr. O'Donnell elected to take all of the compensation due to
him in the form of warrants rather than cash or shares of our Common Stock. We
also recorded an estimated accrual of $50,000 in 1999 to cover "out of pocket"
expenses reimbursable to Westgate Partners, L.L.C.


                                       28
<PAGE>   29
                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 10-K

DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF REPORT

(a)1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         Page
Index to Financial Statements                                                                            Number
-----------------------------                                                                         -----------
<S>                                                                                                   <C>

Report of Independent Auditors                                                                         F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2000 and 1999                                              F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2000 and
     1999, and for the period March 16, 1998 (inception) through December 31, 1998                     F-3
Consolidate Statements of Stockholders' Deficit for the years ended
     December 31, 2000 and 1999, and for the period March 16, 1998 (inception)
     through December  31,1998                                                                         F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2000 and
     1999 and for the period March 16, 1998 (inception) through December 31, 1998.                     F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                                             F-6 to F-24
</TABLE>


(a)2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this report
as page F-31;

          Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

     All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, or not
required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated
Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(a)3. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------

2.1       Bell National Corporation Plan of Reorganization (Annex I).
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Item 1 of the Bell National
          Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period from August 20,
          1985 to December 31, 1985 and for the years ended December 31, 1986
          and 1987.)*

2.2       Exchange Agreement dated December 4, 1998 among the Company, InPath,
          and the InPath Members. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix
          A to the Bell National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on
          Schedule 14A, filed on April 30,1999.)*

                                       29

<PAGE>   30

Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------

2.3       Agreement and Plan of Merger of Bell National Corporation and the
          Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix C to the Bell
          National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed
          on April 30, 1999.)*

3.1       Restated Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 3.1 of the Bell National Corporation Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.)*

3.2       Bylaws of Bell National Corporation. (Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1989.)*

3.3       Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as amended. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Appendix D to the Bell National Corporation
          Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 30, 1999.)*

3.4       By-laws of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix
          E to the Bell National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on
          Schedule 14A, filed on April 30, 1999.)*

3.5       Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A
          Convertible Preferred Stock of Ampersand Medical Corporation.

3.6       Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B
          Convertible Preferred Stock of Ampersand Medical Corporation.

4.1       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, as executed by Bell National
          Corporation on December 4, 1998 with respect to each of Mr. Gombrich,
          Theodore L. Koenig, William J. Ritger, Fred H. Pearson, Walter Herbst,
          AccuMed International, Inc., Northlea Partners Ltd., and Monroe
          Investments, Inc. (collectively, the "InPath Members"). (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 3 of the Schedule 13D filed jointly by
          the InPath Members on December 14, 1998.)*

4.2       Stockholders Agreement dated December 4, 1998 among the Company,
          Winchester National, Inc., the InPath Members, and Mr. Milley, Mr.
          Shaw, Cadmus, and MMI (collectively, the "Claimants"). (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Schedule 13D filed jointly by
          the InPath Members on December 14, 1998.)*

4.3       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Holleb & Coff on July
          4, 1999 representing the right to purchase 250,000 shares of Common
          Stock of the Company in connection with legal services rendered.
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1999.)*

4.4       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to The Research Works on
          October 11, 1999 representing the right to purchase 70,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with the preparation of an
          investment research report. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1999.)*

                                       30

<PAGE>   31

Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------

4.5       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 10, 1999 representing the right to purchase 50,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for a 12%
          Convertible Promissory Note issued on the same date. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
          the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

4.6       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 96,250 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.7       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 75,759 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.8       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 121,313 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.9       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 94,697 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.10      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to William J. Ritger on
          May 24, 2000 representing the right to purchase 531,614 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.11      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Denis M. O'Donnell on
          May 24, 2000 representing the right to purchase 784,901 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.12      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Prospektiva, SA on May
          23, 2000 representing the right to purchase 48,333 shares of Common
          Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory services
          rendered.

4.13      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Dr. Bruce Patterson,
          on September 12, 2000 representing the right to purchase 150,000
          shares of Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for
          the achievement of product development milestones under a License and
          Development Agreement for Specific Medical Technology for the
          Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus.

4.14      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Dr. Bruce Patterson,
          on September 12, 2000 representing the right to purchase 100,000
          shares of Common Stock of the Company as consideration for an Addendum
          to a License and Development Agreement for Specific Medical Technology
          for the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus.

4.15      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Osprey Partners, on
          November 22, 2000 representing the right to purchase 100,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services to be rendered over twelve months.

4.16      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Univest Management,
          Inc. on November 22, 2000 representing the right to purchase 100,000
          shares of Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial
          advisory services to be rendered over twelve months.

                                       31

<PAGE>   32
Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------

4.17      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 1, 2000 representing the right to purchase 50,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for a 12%
          Promissory Note issued on December 4, 2000.

4.18      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 8, 2000 representing the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares
          of Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for a 15%
          Promissory Note issued on December 11, 2000 in connection with the
          proposed acquisition of AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.

4.19      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          February 7, 2001 representing the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares
          of Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for two 15%
          Promissory notes issued on February 1, 2001 and February 7, 2001 in
          connection with the proposed acquisition of AccuMed International,
          Inc. by the Company.

4.20      Form of Confidential $5,000,000 Common Stock Private Offering
          Memorandum dated January 2000.

4.21      Form of Confidential $5,000,000 Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
          Private Offering memorandum dated November 2000 and amended January
          30, 2001.

4.22      Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement dated July 25, 2000 among
          the Company, the InPath Members, Mr. Milley, Mr. Shaw, MMI, Cadmus
          Corporation, and Winchester National, Inc.

10.1      Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement dated as of November 20, 1989
          between the Company and Raymond O'S. Kelly. (Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989.)*

10.2      Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement dated as of November 20, 1989
          between the Company and Nicholas E. Toussaint. (Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989.)*

10.3      Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement dated as of June 14, 1990 between
          the Company and Roy D. Rafalco. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4 of the Company's Form 8-K filed June 15, 1990.)*

10.4      SAR Agreement Extension dated November 15, 1995 between the Company
          and Raymond O'S. Kelly. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
          10.20 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
          ended December 31, 1995.)*

10.5      SAR Agreement Extension dated November 15, 1995 between the Company
          and Nicholas E. Toussaint. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.21 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.)*

10.6      Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1998 between Mr. Gombrich and
          InPath, LLC, as amended on December 4, 1998. (Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).*

10.8      Claims Agreement dated December 4, 1998 among the Company, the

                                       32

<PAGE>   33

Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------

          Claimants, and Liberty Associates Limited Partnership. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Schedule 13D filed jointly by
          the InPath Members on December 14, 1998.)*

10.9      Ampersand Medical Corporation Equity Incentive Plan established as of
          June 1, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix F to the
          Bell National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A,
          as filed on April 30, 1999.)*

10.10     Ampersand Medical Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix G to the Bell National
          Corporation Definitive Proxy statement on Schedule 14A, as filed on
          April 30, 1999.)*

10.11     Employment Agreement dated June 1, 1999 between Mr. Prange and the
          Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the
          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1999.)*

10.12     Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P., L.L.C. dated September
          1, 1999 pertaining to the premises located at suite 305, 414 N.
          Orleans, Chicago, IL 60610. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.13     Amendment to Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P., L.L.C.
          dated November 1, 1999 pertaining to the premises at suite 300, 414 N.
          Orleans, Chicago, IL 60610. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.14     Form of Note purchase Agreements dated between March 1, 1999 and June
          29, 1999 between the Company and several purchasers. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.15     Form of 6% Convertible Subordinated Note Due 2000, dated between
          March 1, 1999 and June 29, 1999 issued by the Company to several
          purchasers. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the
          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1999.)*

10.16     Schedule of purchasers of 6% Convertible Notes Due 2000, including
          dates and amount purchased. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.17     Form of Senior Convertible Promissory Note issued to Azimuth
          Corporation on December 10, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.18     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to David A. Fishman, M.D., on August 10, 1999 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated June 1, 1999.
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1999.)*

10.19     Form of Restricted Stock award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to Arthur L. Herbst, M.D., on August 10, 1999 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated July 1, 1999.
          (Incorporated herein by

                                       33

<PAGE>   34

Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------
          reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1999.)*

10.20     From of $2,000,000 note received from Seaside Partners, L.P. on April
          28, 2000.

10.21     Form of $300,000 note received from AccuMed International, Inc. on
          September 22, 2000 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed by the Company.

10.22     Form of $500,000 Convertible Promissory Note issued to Azimuth
          Corporation on September 22, 2000 in connection with the proposed
          acquisition of AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company

10.23     Form of $500,000 Convertible Promissory Note issued to Monsun, AS on
          November 1, 2000.

10.24     Form of $200,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 4, 2000.

10.25     Form of $100,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 11, 2000 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.

10.26     Amendment to Patent and Technology License Agreement dated June 9,
          2000 by and between Ampersand Medical Corporation, AccuMed
          International, Inc. and InPath, L.L.C.

10.27     License and Development Agreement for Specific Medical Technology for
          the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus dated June 23, 2000, by and
          between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson, and Ampersand Medical
          Corporation.

10.28     First Addendum to License and Development Agreement for Specific
          Medical Technology for the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus dated
          September 12, 2000, by and between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson and
          Ampersand Medical Corporation,

10.29     Second Addendum to License and Development Agreement for Specific
          Medical Technology for the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus dated
          January 12, 2001, by and between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson and
          Ampersand Medical Corporation.

10.30     Form of $25,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          February 1, 2001 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.

10.31     Form of $470,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          February 7, 2001 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.

10.32     Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P.,L.L.C date May 18, 2000,
          pertaining to premises located at 414 N. Orleans, Suite 510, Chicago,
          Illinois 60610.

10.33     First Amendment to Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P.,
          L.L.C. dated February 13, 2001, pertaining to additional premises at
          414 N. Orleans, Suite 503, Chicago, Illinois 60610 and extending the
          term of the original lease until February 28, 2006

10.34     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 25,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to Eric A Gombrich on May 1, 2000 as additional compensation
          under a 36 month

                                       34

<PAGE>   35

Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------
          Employment Agreement dated April 1 2000.

10.35     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to Ralph M. Richart, M.D., on July 24, 2000 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated June 1, 2000.

10.36     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to J. Thomas Cox, M.D., on October 20, 2000 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated October 15,
          2000.

10.37     Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among AccuMed International,
          Inc., AccuMed Acquisition Corp. and Ampersand Medical Corporation,
          dated as of February 7, 2001 including Exhibit A - Form of Voting
          Agreement; Exhibit B - Form of Secured Promissory Note and Security
          Agreement.

21.1      Subsidiaries of the Company.

          *SEC File No. 0-935

(b)       REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

          None

(c)       See item 14(a)3 above.

(d)       The financial statement schedules are filed (as a separate section of
          this report).


                                       35

<PAGE>   36


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                             AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION


Date:  July 10, 2001                         BY:  /s/ Peter P. Gombrich
                                                  ---------------------
                                                  Peter P. Gombrich
                                                  Chairman of the Board, and
                                                  Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               Signature                                     Title                          Date
               ---------                                     -----                          ----
<S>                                      <C>                                            <C>
/s/ Peter P. Gombrich
---------------------------------
Peter P. Gombrich                        Director, Chairman of the
                                         Board, Chief Executive
                                         Officer

                                         (Principal Executive Officer)                  July 10, 2001
/s/ Alexander M. Milley
---------------------------------
Alexander M. Milley                      Director                                       July 10, 2001

/s/ John Abeles
---------------------------------
John Abeles                              Director                                       July 10, 2001

/s/ Denis M. O'Donnell
---------------------------------
Denis M. O'Donnell                       Director                                       July 10, 2001

/s/ Leonard R. Prange
---------------------------------        President, Chief Operating Officer,
Leonard R. Prange                        Chief Financial Officer, and Secretary
                                         (Principal Financial
                                         Officer and Accounting Officer)                July 10, 2001

/s/ Robert C. Shaw
---------------------------------
Robert C. Shaw                           Director                                       July 10, 2001
</TABLE>


                                       36

<PAGE>   37

                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Ampersand Medical Corporation and Subsidiaries

     We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ampersand
Medical Corporation and Subsidiaries, formerly Bell National Corporation, as of
December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related statements of operations, changes in
stockholders' equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the two years in the
period ended December 31, 2000 and the period from March 16, 1998 (inception)
through December 31, 1998. Our audits also included the financial statement
schedule listed in the Index at Item 14. These financial statements and
schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these statements and schedule based on our audits.

     We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

     In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Ampersand Medical
Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999 and the results of
their operations and their cash flows for each of the two years in the period
ended December 31, 2000 and the period from March 16, 1998 (inception) through
December 31, 1998, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement
schedule when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as
a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth
therein.

     The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared
assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note
1 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred substantial net losses
from operations and has limited financial resources. These conditions raise
substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Management's plans with regard to these matters are described in Note 1. The
financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the
recoverability and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and
classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of this
uncertainty.

                                       /s/ ERNST & YOUNG, LLP

Chicago, Illinois
March 9, 2001

                                      F-1

<PAGE>   38

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                 AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       (FORMERLY BELL NATIONAL CORPORATION)
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      BALANCE                   BALANCE
                                                                                DECEMBER 31, 2000           DECEMBER 31, 1999
                                                                                -----------------           -----------------
<S>                                                                             <C>                         <C>
ASSETS
   Current Assets:

       Cash and cash equivalents                                                      $    13                   $    36
       Notes receivable                                                                   330                         -
       Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
          accounts of $4 and $21 respectively                                             465                       398
       Accrued interest receivable                                                         73                         -
       Work in progress                                                                   248                        62
       Refundable taxes                                                                   119                       131
       Prepaid expenses                                                                   151                        54
                                                                                    ---------                 ---------
          Total current assets                                                          1,399                       681
   Fixed assets, net                                                                      385                       177
   Other assets:
       License, patents, and technology, net of amortization                            1,637                       696
       Goodwill, net of amortization                                                      148                       317
       Prepaid royalties                                                                1,006                         -
                                                                                    ---------                 ---------
                    Total assets                                                    $   4,575                 $   1,871
                                                                                    =========                 =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Current liabilities:
       Accounts payable                                                             $   1,909                 $   1,449
       Deposits                                                                           547                        40
       Accrued payroll costs                                                              231                       450
       Accrued royalties                                                                    -                       250
       Accrued expenses                                                                   586                       399
       Deferred revenue                                                                   195                        68
       Revolving line of credit                                                           127                       134
       Current maturities of notes payable - related party                                709                       125
       Current maturities of notes payable                                                396                       970
                                                                                    ---------                 ---------
          Total current liabilities                                                     4,700                     3,885

   Notes payable - related party, less current maturities                                   -                        26

   Stockholders' equity (deficit)
       Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value
          Authorized 5,000,000 shares;
          None issued and outstanding                                                       -                         -
       Common stock, $0.001 par value;
          Authorized 50,000,000 shares;
          Issued and outstanding 30,211,457 shares in 2000; 19,027,570 shares in
             1999.                                                                         30                        19
       Additional paid in capital                                                      12,018                     3,039
       Note receivable from stockholder                                                  (450)                        -
       Accumulated deficit                                                            (11,626)                   (5,015)
       Accumulated comprehensive loss -
          Cumulative translation adjustment                                               (97)                      (83)
                                                                                    ---------                 ---------
            Total stockholders' deficit                                                  (125)                   (2,040)
                                                                                    ---------                 ---------
       Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit                                  $   4,575                 $   1,871
                                                                                    =========                 =========

</TABLE>

              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                       consolidated financial statements





                                      F-2
<PAGE>   39


                          AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION
                      (FORMERLY BELL NATIONAL CORPORATION)
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                       FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                                       MARCH 16, 1998
                                                                                                        (INCEPTION)
                                                            YEAR ENDED                                    THROUGH
                                                            DECEMBER 31,                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                               2000                  1999                   1998
                                                            ------------           -----------        ----------------
<S>                                                         <C>                    <C>                <C>
 Net Sales                                                   $   1,094             $   1,040               $     -
 Cost and Expenses
    Cost of goods sold                                             637                   542                     -
    Research and development                                     3,426                 1,782                   181
    Selling, general, and administrative expenses                3,719                 2,833                   602
                                                            ----------            ----------             ---------
                                                                 7,782                 5,157                   783
                                                            ----------            ----------             ---------
 Operating loss                                                 (6,688)               (4,117)                 (783)
                                                            ----------            ----------             ---------
 Other income (expense)
             Interest expense - related party                     (155)                  (14)                   (8)
             Interest expense                                      (80)                  (72)                    -
             Interest income, related party                         63                     -                     -
             Interest income                                        10                     -                     -
             Other, net                                            239                   (23)                    2
                                                            ----------            ----------             ---------
                                                                    77                  (109)                    -
                                                            ----------            ----------             ---------

 Loss before income taxes                                       (6,611)               (4,226)                 (789)
                                                            ----------            ----------             ---------
 Income taxes                                                        -                     -                     -
                                                            ----------            ----------             ---------
 Net loss                                                   $   (6,611)           $   (4,226)            $    (789)
                                                            ==========            ==========            ==========
 Basic and fully diluted net loss per
    Common share                                            $    (0.24)           $    (0.29)           $    (0.07)
                                                            ==========            ==========            ==========
 Weighted average number of
    Common share outstanding                                27,869,274            14,336,667            12,000,000
                                                            ==========            ==========            ==========
</TABLE>


              The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
                       consolidated financial statements.


                                      F-3
<PAGE>   40
                          AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION
                      (FORMERLY BELL NATIONAL CORPORATION)
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         COMMON STOCK            COMMON STOCK
                                                PREFERRED STOCK          NO PAR VALUE          PAR VALUE $0.001      ADDITIONAL
                                              --------------------   ----------------------   ------------------       PAID IN
                                                SHARES      AMOUNT     SHARES       AMOUNT      SHARES    AMOUNT      CAPITAL
                                              -----------   ------   -----------    -------   ----------- ------    -----------
<S>                                           <C>           <C>      <C>            <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>
March 16, 1998 (Inception)                                    $  -                  $     -                $   -      $      -
Equity of accounting acquiree                                    -                      881                    -             -
Contribution of asset
  in exchange for equity                                         -                      245
Sale of equity during 1998                                       -                      391
Net loss 1998                                                    -                        -
                                              -----------   ------   -----------    -------   -----------  -----    ----------
  December 31, 1998                                     -     $  -    12,000,000    $ 1,517                $   -      $      -
Merger of Bell National into Ampersand
   Medical Corporation                                           -   (12,000,000)    (1,517)   12,000,000     12         1,505
Cancellation of common stock                                     -                        -      (696,570)     -             -
Comprehensive Loss:
   Net loss                                                      -                        -             -      -             -
   Foreign currency translation                                  -                        -                    -             -


     Total comprehensive loss
Conversion of notes payable and
   accrued interest                                              -                        -       382,442      -           126
Exercise of warrants                                             -                        -     3,251,850      3            20
Warrants issued for services                                     -                        -                    -           126
Sale of common stock, net of costs
   incurred                                                      -                        -     3,989,848      4           956
Restricted stock issued for services                             -                        -       100,000      -            21
Options issued to non-employees
   for services                                                  -                        -                    -            54
Compensation expense related to SARs                             -                        -                    -           231
                                              -----------   ------   -----------    -------    ----------  -----    ----------
   December 31, 1999                                    -     $  -                  $     -    19,027,570  $  19      $  3,039

Comprehensive Loss:
   Net loss                                                      -                        -                    -             -
   Foreign currency translation                                  -                        -                    -             -
Total comprehensive loss
Note receivable from stockholder                                 -                        -                    -             -
Conversion of notes payable and
   accrued interest                                              -                        -     5,412,544      5         1,077
Debt discount on convertible notes                               -                        -                    -           250
Common stock issued for services                                 -                        -                    -            60
Warrants issued to purchase license                              -                        -                    -           530
Warrants issued for services                                     -                        -                    -            91
Exercise of warrant                                              -                        -        70,000      -            23
Sale of common stock                                             -                        -     5,300,450      6         5,883
Sale of common stock to employees                                -                        -        21,989      -            17
Warrants issued as debt discount                                 -                        -                    -            84
Common stock issued for royalty payment                          -                        -       128,571      -           386
Restricted stock issued for services                             -                        -       225,333      -           202
Restricted stock issued to employees                             -                        -        25,000      -            15
Options issued to non-employees
   for services                                                  -                        -                    -           270
Compensation expense related to SARs                             -                        -                    -            91
                                              -----------   ------   -----------    -------    ----------  -----    ----------
                                                        -     $  -                  $     -    30,211,457  $  30      $ 12,018
                                              ===========   ======   ===========    =======    ==========  =====    ==========
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NOTE
                                             RECEIVABLE                                     OTHER          TOTAL
                                               FROM               ACCUMULATED        COMPREHENSIVE      STOCKHOLDERS'
                                            STOCKHOLDER             DEFICIT               LOSS              EQUITY
                                            -----------         --------------      ----------------  ---------------
<S>                                         <C>                 <C>                 <C>               <C>
March 16, 1998 (Inception)                       $    -            $      -              $     -           $      -
Equity of accounting acquiree                         -                   -                    -                881
Contribution of asset
  in exchange for equity                                                  -                    -                245
Sale of equity during 1998                                                -                    -                391
Net loss 1998                                                          (789)                   -               (789)
                                            -----------           ---------              -------           --------
   December 31, 1998                             $    -            $   (789)             $     -           $    728


Merger of Bell National into Ampersand                -
   Medical Corporation                                                    -                    -                  -
Cancellation of common stock                          -                   -                    -                  -
Comprehensive Loss:                                   -
   Net loss                                           -              (4,226)                   -             (4,226)
   Foreign currency translation                                           -                  (83)               (83)
                                                                                                           --------
     Total comprehensive loss                                                                                (4,309)
Conversion of notes payable and                       -
   accrued interest                                   -                   -                    -                126
Exercise of warrants                                  -                   -                    -                 23
Warrants issued for services                                              -                    -                126
Sale of common stock, net of costs
   incurred                                           -                   -                    -                960
Restricted stock issued for services                  -                   -                    -                 21
Options issued to non-employees
   for services                                       -                   -                    -                 54
Compensation expense related to SARs                  -                   -                    -                231
                                            -----------           ---------              -------           --------
   December 31, 1999                             $    -            $ (5,015)             $   (83)          $ (2,040)



Comprehensive Loss:
   Net loss                                           -              (6,611)                   -             (6,611)
   Foreign currency translation                       -                   -                  (14)               (14)
                                                                                                           --------
Total comprehensive loss                           (450)                                                     (6,625)
Note receivable from stockholder                                          -                    -               (450)
Conversion of notes payable and
   accrued interest                                   -                   -                    -              1,082
Debt discount on convertible notes                    -                   -                    -                250
Warrants issued as debt discount                      -                   -                    -                 84
Warrants issued to purchase license                   -                   -                    -                530
Warrants issued for services                          -                   -                    -                 91
Exercise of warrant                                   -                   -                    -                 23
Sale of common stock                                  -                   -                    -              5,889
Sale of common stock to employees                     -                   -                    -                 17
Common stock issued for royalty payment               -                   -                    -                386
Common stock issued for services                      -                   -                    -                 60
Restricted stock issued for services                  -                   -                    -                202
Restricted stock issued to employees                  -                   -                    -                 15
Options issued to non-employees
   for services                                       -                   -                    -                270
Compensation expense related to SARs                  -                   -                    -                 91
                                            -----------           ---------              -------           --------
                                                 $ (450)           $(11,626)             $   (97)          $   (125)
                                            ===========           =========              =======           ========
</TABLE>

        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                             financial statements.




                                      F-4
<PAGE>   41
                          AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION
                      (FORMERLY BELL NATIONAL CORPORATION)
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                                          FOR THE PERIOD
                                                                                                          MARCH 16, 1998
                                                                                      YEAR ENDED           (INCEPTION)
                                                                                      DECEMBER 31,         THROUGH
                                                                                 ---------------------     DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                   2000        1999           1998
                                                                                 ---------   ---------   ----------------
<S>                                                                              <C>         <C>         <C>
Operating Activities:
       Net loss                                                                  $(6,611)     $(4,226)     $  (789)
       Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in
       operating activities:
           Forgiveness of amounts due to service providers
               recognized as expense in prior year                                  (220)           -            -
           Amortization of debt discount                                             139            -            -
           Depreciation and amortization                                             442          375           36
           Loss on disposal of equipment                                               -           21            -
           Stock, warrants, and options issued to non-employees for services         488          201            -
           Compensation expense related to Stock Appreciation Rights                  91          231            -
           Compensation expense paid with common stock                                71            -            -
           Interest expense paid with stock                                           20            -            -
           Changes in assets and liabilities:
               Accounts receivable, net                                              (67)        (398)           -
               Work in progress                                                     (186)         (62)           -
               Refundable taxes                                                       12         (131)           -
               Prepaid royalties                                                    (500)           -            -
               Prepaids and other assets                                            (166)         111         (158)
               Accounts payable                                                      680          861          588
               Deposits                                                                7           40            -
               Deferred revenue                                                      127           68            -
               Accrued royalties                                                    (250)         250            -
               Accrued expenses                                                       21          697           59
                                                                                 -------      -------     --------
Net cash used in operating activities                                             (5,902)      (1,962)        (264)
Cash used in investing activities:
           Payments for acquisitions                                                   -         (500)           -
           Expenditures for license, patents and technology                         (532)         (25)        (501)
           Purchase of fixed assets                                                 (307)        (144)        (100)
           Advances for notes receivable                                            (330)           -            -
                                                                                 -------      -------     --------
Net cash used in investing activities                                             (1,169)        (669)        (601)

Cash flows from financing activities:
           Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable,                      500        1,146          250
           Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes payable,
               related party                                                         500            -            -
           Proceeds from issuance of notes payable, related party                    300            -            -
           Payment of notes payable                                                 (175)           -            -
           Payment of notes payable - related party                                  (26)        (130)         (19)
           Proceeds from revolving line of credit, net of payments                    (7)         134            -
           Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of costs incurred           5,484          983          391
           Deposit received for future purchase of stock                             500            -            -
           Net cash acquired                                                           -            -          943
                                                                                 -------      -------     --------
Net cash provided by financing activities                                          7,076        2,133        1,565
                                                                                 -------      -------     --------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                              (14)         (83)           -
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                  (9)        (581)         700
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                      36          700            -
                                                                                 -------      -------     --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                       $    13      $    36      $   700
                                                                                 =======      =======     ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

       Cash paid during the period for:
           Interest                                                              $    13      $     5      $     -
           Income taxes                                                          $     -      $     -      $     -
       Non cash transactions during the period:
           Note receivable given for purchase of common stock                    $   450      $     -      $     -
           Warrants issued for License                                           $   530      $     -      $     -
           Common stock issued for License                                       $   450      $     -      $     -
           Deferred financing costs                                              $   334      $     -      $     -
</TABLE>



        The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated
                             financial statements.



                                      F-5
<PAGE>   42

                          AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION

                      (FORMERLY BELL NATIONAL CORPORATION)
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                DECEMBER 31, 2000

NOTE 1.           THE COMPANY AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     Ampersand Medical Corporation, which may also be referred to as
"Ampersand", was incorporated in Delaware on December 15, 1998 as the successor
to Bell National Corporation ("Bell National"). Bell National was incorporated
in California in 1958.


     On December 4, 1998, Bell National (then a shell corporation without any
business activity) acquired InPath, LLC, a development-stage company engaged in
the design and development of medical instruments and related tests. In the
acquisition, Bell National issued 4,288,790 shares of Common Stock and warrants
to purchase 3,175,850 shares of Common Stock to the members of InPath in
exchange for their units of membership interest in InPath and the senior
executives of InPath assumed management control of the Company.


     Based upon the terms of the acquisition agreement, for financial reporting
and accounting purposes the acquisition was accounted for as a reverse
acquisition whereby InPath is deemed to have acquired Bell National. However,
Bell National was the continuing legal entity and registrant for both Securities
and Exchange Commission filing purposes and income tax filing purposes, until
its merger into Ampersand, its wholly owned subsidiary, in May 1999. Because
Bell National was a non-operating public shell company with nominal assets and
InPath was a private operating company, the acquisition was recorded as the
issuance of stock for the net monetary assets of Bell National, accompanied by a
recapitalization and no goodwill or other intangible assets were recorded.
Accordingly, the Consolidated Financial Statements presented hereunder only
include the operations of InPath from March 16, 1998 (inception) and the
operations of Bell National and the Company from December 4, 1998.

                                      F-6

<PAGE>   43

     The Company is focused on the design, development and marketing of the
InPath System of products. These products are intended to detect cancer and
cancer related diseases. These products may be used in a laboratory, clinic, or
doctor's office. The Company has acquired the rights, under a twenty-year
license agreement with AccuMed International, Inc. signed in 1998 and amended in
2000, to develop, manufacture, and market certain "point of service" cancer
screening products. The technology and related patents covered by the license
provide a basis for some of the InPath System products. Additionally, the
Company has acquired the rights, under a perpetual license agreement with
Invirion and Dr. Bruce Patterson, M.D., Ph.D., its, principal, to develop,
manufacture, and market a screening test for the oncogenic types of the Human
Papilloma Virus. This license requires the payment of royalties amounting to
7% of the net sales of the product.


     The Company has a wholly owned subsidiary, Samba Technologies, Sarl
("Samba"). The Company acquired all of the assets of Samba in January 1999 from
Unilog Regions, SA for approximately $500,000 in code. Samba designs, develops,
and markets web-enabled software based systems for image analysis, image
capture, and image transmission and management for clinical and industrial
applications. Samba is also developing software used in the InPath System. All
revenues since inception of the Company have been generated by Samba.

     The Company has incurred a significant operating loss since its inception.
The Company expects that significant on-going operating expenditures will be
necessary to successfully implement its business plan and develop, manufacture
and market its products. These circumstances raise substantial doubt about the
Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Implementation of the
Company's plans and its ability to continue as a going concern depend upon its
acquiring substantial additional financing. Management's plans include efforts
to obtain additional capital. If the Company is unable to obtain adequate
additional financing or generate profitable sales revenues, management may be
required to curtail the Company's product development and other activities and
may be forced to cease operations.


                                      F-7
<PAGE>   44
NOTE 2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Principles of Consolidation. The Consolidated Financial Statements include
Ampersand Medical Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All
intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.



                                      F-8
<PAGE>   45

     Use of Estimates. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.


     Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenues from its wholly owned
subsidiary Samba Technologies, Sarl., (Samba), which include software and
related services, including training, implementation, and installation
services, upon completion of contracts. The term of Samba's contracts are
generally less than 120 days.





     Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid
investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase to
be cash equivalents.

     Work in Progress. Work in progress consists of equipment, purchased
software, internal development labor, and other costs incurred for customer
orders, which have not been completed and delivered as of the end of the period.

     Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost and are
depreciated using the straight-line method over the assets' estimated useful
lives. Principal useful lives are as follows:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                          <C>
Furniture and fixtures                                       5 years
Laboratory equipment                                         5 years
Computer and communications equipment                        3 years
Leasehold improvements                                       Useful life or life of lease, whichever is shorter
</TABLE>


     Normal maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred,
significant improvements are capitalized.

     License, patents, and technology. License, patents, and purchased
technology are recorded at their acquisition cost. During 1998, a portion of a
license, valued at $245,000, was contributed to the Company in exchange for an
equity stake of equal value. Costs to prepare patent filings are recorded when
incurred. Costs related to abandoned or denied patent applications are written
off at the time of abandonment or denial. Amortization is begun as of the date
of acquisition or upon the grant of the final patent. All costs are amortized
over a useful life of ten years.


     Accounting for Software Development Costs. Software development
expenditures are generally charged to operations as incurred. Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed, requires capitalization of
certain software development costs subsequent to the established of
technological feasibility. Based on the Company's product development process,
technology feasibility is established upon completion of a working model. Costs
incurred by the Company between completion of the working model and the point at
which the product is ready for general release have not been significant.
Through December 31, 2000, all software development costs have been expensed.



                                      F-9
<PAGE>   46
     Goodwill. Goodwill is amortized using the straight-line method over three
years. Amortization expense for 2000 and 1999 related to goodwill was
approximately $146,000 and $167,000 respectively.

     Research and development costs. Research and development costs are charged
to operations as incurred. The Company conducts a portion of its research
activities under contractual arrangements with scientists, researchers,
universities, and other independent third parties.

     Foreign Currency Translation. The functional currency of the Company's
foreign operations is the local currency. Accordingly, all assets and
liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using year-end exchange rates, and
all revenues and expenses are translated using weighted-average exchange rates
during the year. The amount of foreign currency translation is not material to
the results of operations and the financial position of the Company.

     Other Comprehensive Income (Loss). Translation adjustments related to the
Company's foreign operations are included in other comprehensive loss and
reported separately in stockholders' equity.

     Loss Per Share. Basic loss per share is calculated based on the
weighted-average number of outstanding common shares. Diluted loss per share is
calculated based on the weighted-average number of outstanding common shares
plus the effect of dilutive potential common shares. The Company's calculation
of dilutive net loss per share excludes potential common shares as the effect
would be antidilutive. Potential common shares include stock underlying
convertible notes, stock options and warrants. The weighted-average number of
options and warrants to purchase common stock using the treasury stock method
for 2000 and 1999 and was 4,936,000 and 24,000 shares, respectively.

     Income Taxes. The Company follows the liability method in accounting for
income taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are
determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of
assets and liabilities and are measured using tax rates and laws that are
expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation
allowances are provided against deferred tax assets if it is more likely than
not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

     Stock compensation. As permitted by the Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation (SFAS 123), the
Company uses the intrinsic value method to account for stock options as set
forth in Accounting Principles Board No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees (APB 25).

NOTE 3.  NOTES RECEIVABLE - RELATED PARTY

     On April 28, 2000, the Company sold 1,333,333 shares of Common Stock to
Seaside Partners, LP, a hedge fund, at $1.50 per share, or total proceeds of
$2,000,000. Dr. Denis M. O'Donnell, a director of the Company, is a member and
manager of Seaside Advisors, which provides investment management services to
Seaside Partners, L.P. The sale was in conjunction with the private offering of
Common Stock of the Company (See Note 12). In lieu of cash, the Company agreed
to accept payment in the form of a $2,000,000 Promissory Note due July 27, 2000
and bearing interest at the rate of 8% per annum. The note provisions allow for
prepayment at anytime and the due date may be extended by mutual agreement. The
Company retains the stock



                                      F-10
<PAGE>   47
certificates until the note principal and accrued interest are paid in full, and
the Purchase Subscription Agreement and the note are not voidable or cancelable
for any reason. The Company agreed to extend the due date of the note until
November 30, 2000. Seaside Partners, L.P. has made payments against the
principal of the note amounting to $1,550,000. The note is currently in default
and the Company is negotiating revised terms with Seaside Partners, L.P.,
including a new due date and penalties for the default. Accrued interest on the
note in the amount of $63,000 also remains due and unpaid as of December 31,
2000. The Company has classified the note as a reduction to stockholders'
equity.

NOTE 4.  NOTES RECEIVABLE

     In September 22, 2000, the Company signed a Letter of Intent to merge with
AccuMed International, Inc ("AccuMed"). In conjunction with the Letter of
Intent, the Company loaned AccuMed $300,000. The Letter of Intent was terminated
in early December 2000, and negotiations on a new agreement to combine the
companies commenced. On December 28, 2000, the Company loaned AccuMed an
additional $30,000 under terms similar to the September note. Accrued interest
due on the outstanding principal balance at December 31, 2000 amounted to
approximately $10,000.

     On February 7, 2001, the Company and AccuMed signed a definitive agreement
under which Ampersand would acquire 100% of AccuMed. In conjunction with the
signing of the definitive agreement Ampersand loaned AccuMed a further $470,000
under similar terms. The $330,000 in notes, issued in 2000, were cancelled and
replaced with a new $800,000 note, fully secured by AccuMed's inventory.


NOTE 5: PREPAID ROYALTIES


     On June 9, 2000 the Company executed an Amendment to a Patent and
Technology License Agreement ("License") originally dated September 4, 1998,
between InPath and AccuMed. The Amendment assigns the License directly to
Ampersand, eliminates a minimum royalty payment required by the original
License, and reduces the royalty rate to 4% of total Company revenue. As
consideration for this Amendment, the Company paid 500,000 of cash, issued a
convertible note payable of $100,000 and issued 128,571 shares of Common Stock
to AccuMed. The convertible note was paid in full during December 2000. The
Company provided AccuMed with a price protection equal to $3.50 per share on the
128,571 shares of Common Stock until sixty days following the date on which the
shares are registered for sale. The $1,050,000 consideration paid to AccuMed has
been recorded as prepaid royalty and is being charged to royalty expense as the
Company recognizes revenue. During 2000 the Company recognized $44,000 as
royalty expense.


NOTE 6.  FIXED ASSETS

     Fixed assets consist of the following at December 31 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        2000           1999
                                                                       -------        -------
<S>                                                                    <C>            <C>
Furniture and fixtures                                                    $71           $ 48
Laboratory equipment                                                      240             91
Computer and communications equipment                                     220             91
Leasehold improvements                                                      5              0
                                                                        -----         ------
                                                                          536            230
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                           (151)           (53)
                                                                        -----         ------
     Total                                                               $385           $177
                                                                        =====         ======
</TABLE>


NOTE 7.  LICENSE, PATENTS, AND TECHNOLOGY

     License, patents, and technology includes the following at December 31 (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               2000          1999
                                                             --------     ---------
<S>                                                          <C>          <C>
License                                                       $1,675        $ 746
Patent costs                                                     183           50
                                                             -------        -----
                                                               1,858          796
Less accumulated amortization                                   (221)        (100)
                                                             -------        -----
    Total                                                     $1,637        $ 696
                                                             =======        =====
</TABLE>



                                      F-11
<PAGE>   48


NOTE 8.  DEPOSITS

     On December 17, 2000, the Company received $500,000 from Monsun, AS, a
potential investor in a private offering of equity securities of the Company.
The final terms and conditions of the offering were not finalized at December
31, 2000 and the funds were subject to return. The deposit was applied to the
purchase price of 125,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in a
private offering, as evidenced by a subscription agreement signed by Monsun, AS
in February 2001.

NOTE 9.  ACCRUED EXPENSES

     Accrued expenses includes the following December 31 (in thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   2000          1999
                                                                ----------    ----------
<S>                                                             <C>           <C>
Accrued interest                                                 $   13        $   52
Accrued interest - related party                                     25            18
Accrued taxes                                                       380           110
Reserve for warranty                                                 21            28
Other accrued expenses                                              147           191
                                                                 ------         -----
    Total                                                        $  586        $  399
                                                                 ======        ======
</TABLE>

NOTE 10.  NOTES PAYABLE - RELATED PARTIES

     On September 1, 1998, the Company issued a note payable in the amount of
$175,000 to Mr. Peter P. Gombrich, its Chairman and CEO, in payment for funds
advanced to the Company. The note was due September 1, 2003 and interest was
payable at each anniversary date at the rate of 8% per annum. Principal payments
in the amount of $26,000, $130,000 and $19,000 were made, during 2000, 1999 and
1998 respectively, to repay the entire note.

     On May 11, 1999, the Company borrowed $75,000 under a 6% Convertible
Promissory Note to Leonard R. Prange, President, COO/CFO. The Note was issued
under terms identical to all 6% Convertible Promissory Notes issued by the
Company (see Note 11). The Note, along with all other notes in the series , was
automatically converted into Common Stock of the Company on April 28, 2000.

     On December 10, 1999, the Company borrowed $50,000 from Azimuth
Corporation, a company controlled by Alexander M. Milley, a director and
significant shareholder of the Company. The promissory note bore interest at the
rate of 12% per annum and the principal along with accrued interest was
convertible into the Common Stock of the Company at a conversion price of $0.20
per share. On February 22, 2000, Azimuth Corporation exercised its right to
convert the principle amount of the note plus accrued interest due thereon in
the amount of $1,250 into 256,250 shares of Common Stock of the Company.



                                      F-12
<PAGE>   49
     On September 22, 2000, the Company issued a Convertible Promissory Note to
Azimuth Corporation in exchange for $500,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at
the rate of 15% per year and is due twelve months from the date of issue. The
Note is convertible into Common Stock of the Company any time after the
expiration of the first 180 days of the loan term, at a conversion price of
$1.00 per share. The conversion price was less than the market price of the
Common Stock of the Company at the date of issuance of the note and therefore,
the holder is considered to have a beneficial conversion feature. The Company
determined the value of this beneficial conversion feature to be $125,000. This
value was recorded as a reduction to the debt and will be amortized as
additional interest expense over the life of the note. During 2000, the Company
recorded $34,000 to interest expense.

     On December 4, 2000, the Company issued a Promissory Note to Azimuth
Corporation in exchange for $200,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the
rate of 12% per year and was due December 31, 2000. As additional consideration
for the note the Company issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of
the Common Stock of the Company at a price of $0.937 per share, the approximate
market price of the Common Stock at the time. Since the note was not repaid
until February 20, 2001, the Company was required to pay a 3% increase in the
rate of interest from January 1, 2001 until the date of payment. As a further
penalty, the Company was also required to issue Azimuth two warrants, each to
purchase 12,500 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $0.01 per share.

     On December 11, 2000, the Company issued a Promissory Note to Azimuth
Corporation in exchange for $100,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the
rate of 12% per year and was due 180 days from date of issue. As additional
consideration for the note the Company issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase
1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $1.25 per share, an approximate
15% premium to the market price of the Company's stock at the date of issuance.
The proceeds of this note were used to repay a Convertible Promissory Note to
AccuMed due on March 29, 2001. The prepayment was made in conjunction with
ongoing negotiations to acquire AccuMed.


     The Company determined the value of the warrants issued in conjunction with
the December 4, 2000 and December 11, 2000 notes to be $84,000 based on the
differences between the fair value interest rate and the stated interest rate.
This amount was charged to interest expense during 2000.


     On February 20, 2001, the Company repaid the principal amounts and accrued
interest on the two December notes.

     The carrying amount of notes payable approximates fair value at December
31, 2000 and 1999.

NOTE 11. NOTES PAYABLE

     On August 28, 1998, the Company issued a note payable in the amount of
$75,000 to its former outside legal counsel, Holleb & Coff, as payment for legal
services. The note was due on demand and interest accrued monthly at the rate of
12% per annum. The principal of the note, accrued interest due thereon, and
invoices representing unpaid legal fees totaling approximately $426,000 were the
subject of a Settlement Agreement reached with Holleb & Coff, under which the
Company agreed to pay $200,000 in full settlement of amounts owed. The Company
recorded the difference between the $446,000 expensed in 1999 and the $200,000
paid in full settlement in 2000 as other income.

     In January 1999, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to raise up
to $1,500,000 in debt or new equity to provide funding for current operations.
Subsequently, on various dates between March 1, 1999 and June 29, 1999, the
Company issued a series of interest bearing 6%



                                      F-13
<PAGE>   50

Convertible Promissory Notes totaling $969,600, including a Note in the amount
of $500,000 issued to Seaside Partners, L.P., a hedge fund which receives
investment management services from Seaside Advisors, L.L.C., of which Dr. Denis
M. O'Donnell, a director of the Company, is a member and manager, and a Note in
the amount of $75,000 issued to Leonard R. Prange, President, COO/CFO (see Note
10 above), in exchange for cash. The Notes were convertible into the Common
Stock of the Company at a conversion rate of $0.33 per share. The conversion
price may be lowered based on certain circumstances related to the pricing of
future debt or equity offerings but may never be lowered below $0.20 per share.
The notes were convertible at any time by the holder and subject to automatic
conversion by the Company, when and if the Company raised a cumulative amount of
$5,000,000 in new debt or equity. The maturity date of the Notes was January 28,
2000, subject to extension by the Company to June 30, 2000. The Company extend
the maturity date of the Notes to June 30, 2000. The Notes and accrued interest
due thereon were automatically converted at $0.20 per share into shares of
Common Stock of the Company on April 28, 2000, when the cumulative amount of new
debt or equity raised by the Company exceeded the $5,000,000 minimum specified
in the note agreements.


     In July 1999, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Samba, negotiated a
Revolving Credit Line ("Revolver") with the Banc National de Paris (BNP). The
terms of the Revolver provide that Samba may borrow, in the form of an advance
on payment against monthly billings, up to a maximum of 1,300,000 French Francs,
approximately $186,000. The terms of the Revolver require Samba to pay interest
at Euribor plus 2.5%, (8.1% at December 31, 2000) on advances outstanding under
the Revolver and grant BNP a security interest in Samba accounts receivable. The
Revolver was renewed in January 2001. As of December 31, 2000 the amount
outstanding under the Revolver was approximately $127,000.

     On November 1, 2000, the Company issued a Convertible Promissory Note to
Monsun, AS in exchange for $500,000 in cash. The Note bears interest at the rate
of 15% per year and is due twelve months from the date of issue. The Note is
convertible into Common Stock of the Company, any time after the expiration of
the first 180 days of the loan term, at a conversion price of $1.00 per share.
The conversion price of the note was less than the market price of Common Stock
of the Company at the date of issuance of the note. Therefore, the holder is
considered to have a beneficial conversion feature. The Company determined the
value of this beneficial conversion feature to be $125,000. This value was
recorded as a reduction to the debt and will be amortized as additional interest
expense over the life of the note. During 2000, the Company recorded $21,000 to
interest expense.

     The carrying amounts of notes payable approximates fair value at December
31, 2000 and 1999.

NOTE 12. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

     InPath, LLC was organized in the State of Delaware on March 16, 1998 as a
limited liability company. The company sold membership units in the amount of
$391,000 and received a contribution of an asset valued at $245,000 in exchange
for membership units with a comparable value. On December 4, 1998, InPath was
acquired by Bell National, predecessor to the Company in a transaction in which
Bell National issued 4,288,790 shares of Common Stock and warrants to purchase
an additional 3,175,850 shares of Common Stock to the members of InPath in
exchange for their units of membership interest in InPath. The warrants were
issued because Bell National did not have a sufficient amount of authorized
Common Stock to complete the transaction. Subsequent to the merger of Bell
National into the Company, and the increase in the authorized Common Stock of
the Company to 50,000,000 shares at the Company's Annual Meeting on May 26,
1999, all of the warrants were converted into shares of Common stock of the
Company.


     As discussed in Note 1, the InPath acquisition was accounted for as a
reverse acquisition whereby InPath was deemed to have acquired Bell National.
Accordingly, while the number of shares of Common Stock reflects all shares
currently outstanding, the amount recorded for Common Stock includes the value
of the InPath membership equity of $636,000 and the net equity value of the Bell
National and its subsidiaries as of December 4, 1998. The accumulated deficit
reflects the operations of InPath from March 16, 1998 through December 3, 1998
and of Ampersand and the consolidated Company from December 4, 1998 through
December 31, 1999.

     SALE OF EQUITY

     On various dates between July 1, 1999 and December 31, 1999, the Company
sold 3,989,848 shares of its Common Stock in Private Placement Offerings to
accredited private investors at prices ranging from $0.20 per share to $0.33 per
share. The Company received total gross proceeds of $1,001,400.

     During January 2000, the Company sold 1,712,120 shares of Common Stock
under the December 1999 private offering for $.33 per share.

     On various dates between February 7, 2000 and April 30, 2000, the Company
sold 3,588,330 shares of its Common Stock in a Private Placement Offering to
accredited private investors at a price of $1.50 per share. The Company received
total gross proceeds from this offering of $5,329,000.

     In October 1999 the Company issued a warrant to The Research Works, as
consideration for the preparation of an investment research report on the
Company, entitling the holder to purchase 70,000 shares of Common Stock at $0.33
per share. In April 2000, the Company received $23,100 in proceeds from the
exercise of The Research Works warrant.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>   51
     During 2000, the Company received cash proceeds of $17,000 from the sale of
21,989 shares of its Common Stock to employees in accordance with the terms of
the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

     In October 2000, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to raise
additional new equity to support current and future operations. In February
2001, the Company completed the Private Placement Offering of 1,333,856 shares
of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The Series B preferred stock has a
stated value of $4.00 per share, an annual dividend rate of 10%, and is
convertible into Common Stock at a conversion price equal to $1.00 per share.
The Company received net cash proceeds from the February 2001 offering of
$5,176,000, including $500,000 received during December 2000. Proceeds from the
offering will be used to complete the acquisition of AccuMed, repay some
outstanding indebtedness, fund clinical studies and trials of our products, and
support general working capital.

     ISSUANCE OF RESTRICTED SHARES FOR SERVICES


     In August 1999, the Company awarded 50,000 restricted shares of Common
Stock to a non-employee consultant for services. The award originally vested
over three years. The award was made as partial consideration for consulting
services to be performed under a three-year consulting agreement. The consultant
must maintain the consulting relationship with the Company, except in the case
of change of control or termination by the Company without cause, during the
entire vesting period. The Company and the consultant agreed to an early
termination, without cause, of the agreement as of July 1, 2000. This
termination resulted in the immediate vesting of the shares. A fair value of
$181,000 was calculated at July 1, 2000 for the 50,000 shares, using the
Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company charged $175,000 and $6,000,
respectively, to consulting expense during 2000 and 1999.


                                      F-15
<PAGE>   52
     Also in August 1999, the Company awarded an additional 50,000 restricted
shares of Common Stock to a non-employee consultant under an agreement for
consulting services with terms similar to those outlined in the preceding
paragraph. The measurement date of these shares had not been determined as of
December 31, 2000, and therefore the value of these shares will be based on the
market value of the Common Stock at the end of each interim period until the
measurement date is determined. A fair value of $50,000 was calculated at
December 31, 2000, using the Black-Scholes valuation model. During 2000 and
1999, the Company recorded $19,000 and $11,000, respectively, as consulting
expense related to these shares.

     During 2000, the Company issued additional awards of restricted shares of
Common Stock to non-employee consultants for services. The awards total 102,000
shares, and were issued under agreements for consulting services with terms
similar to those outlined in the preceding paragraphs. The measurement date of
these shares had not been determined as of December 31, 2000 and therefore the
value of these shares will be based on the market value of Common Stock at the
end of each interim period until the measurement date is determined. A fair
value of $102,000 was calculated at December 31, 2000 using the Black-Scholes
valuation model and the Company recorded $10,000 as consulting expense in 2000.

     ISSUANCE OF STOCK OPTIONS TO NON-EMPLOYEES FOR SERVICES

     The Company issued an option to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock, at
an exercise price of $0.406 per share, to a non-employee consultant during 1999.
The option was issued under a consulting agreement for services to be performed
over three years resulting in a three-year vesting period. In July 2000, the
Company and the consultant agreed to an early termination, without cause, of the
consulting agreement. The early termination resulted in the immediate vesting of
all options and established a measurement date. A fair value $181,000 was
calculated on the date the options were vested using the Black-Scholes valuation
model. The Company charged $171,000 and $10,000, respectively, to consulting
expense during 2000 and 1999.

     The Company issued options to purchase an additional 200,000 shares of
Common Stock to non-employee consultants during 1999. The options vest over a
period of time, ranging from the date of grant to three years, and have exercise
prices of $0.394 and $0.406 per share. The Company issued these options to
consultants as consideration for consulting services that commenced during 1999
and will be completed through 2002. Services provided under several consulting
agreements ceased during 2000, and 46,666 options were cancelled. The
measurement date of the remaining outstanding options had not been determined at
December 31, 2000. A fair value of $138,000 was calculated for the remaining
options outstanding at December 31, 2000, using the Black-Scholes valuation
model. This value is charged to consulting expense over the term of the

                                      F-16
<PAGE>   53
consulting agreements. The amount of expense to be ultimately recognized will
vary depending on the market value of the Common Stock at the end of each
period. During 2000 and 1999, the Company recorded $32,000 and $54,000,
respectively, as consulting expense related to the remaining outstanding
options.

     In January 2000, the Company issued an option to purchase 25,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.921 per share for service completed by a
non-employee consultant. Accordingly, the Company determined fair value of
$34,000 using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Company charged the amount
to administrative expense in 2000.

     During 2000, the Company issued 270,000 options to purchase Common Stock to
non-employees for consulting services. The options vest over a time period,
ranging from the date of grant to three years, and have exercise prices from
$1.75 to $2.875 per share. The Company issued these options to consultants as
consideration for consulting services that commenced during 2000 and will be
completed through 2003. As the measurement date of these options had not been
determined as of December 31, 2000, the value of these options will be
determined at the end of each interim period until the measurement date is
determined. A fair value of $265,000 was determined as of December 31, 2000,
using the Black-Scholes valuation model. This value is charged to consulting
expense over the term of the agreements. The amount of expense to be ultimately
recognized will vary depending on the market value of the Common Stock at the
end of each period. During 2000, the Company recorded $33,000 as consulting
expense.

     ISSUANCE OF COMMON STOCK FOR SERVICES

     During 2000, the Company issued 40,000 shares of Common stock in exchange
for medical consulting and financial advisory services. The services had a fair
value of $60,000. During 2000, the Company charged $56,000 to medical consulting
and investor-relations expenses and recorded $4,000 as a prepaid expense.

     ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS FOR SERVICES

     On July 15, 1999, the Company issued a warrant to Holleb & Coff, its former
outside legal counsel, entitling the holder to purchase 250,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company, at an exercise price of $0.33 per share, for services
fully rendered. In October 1999, the Company issued a warrant to The Research
Works, as consideration for the preparation of an investment research report on
the Company, entitling the holder to purchase 70,000 shares of Common Stock of
the Company at $0.33 per share.




     On December 10, 1999, the Company issued a $50,000 Promissory Note to
Azimuth Corporation, a company controlled by Alexander M. Milley, a director
and significant shareholder of the Company, in exchange for $50,000 in cash.
The Note bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum and the principal along
with accrued interest is convertible into the Common Stock of the Company at a
conversion price of $0.20 per share. As additional compensation for the note,
the Company issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock
of the Company, at an exercise price of $0.33 per share. On February 22, 2000,
Azimuth Corporation exercised its right to convert the principal amount of the
Note plus accrued interest due thereon in the amount of $1,250 into 256,250
shares of Common Stock of the Company.


     The services, related to all of the warrants issued, or committed to be
issued in 1999, were performed as of the date of the grant or commitment to
grant. The warrants are exercisable immediately. The fair value of the warrants,
as calculated using the Black-Scholes valuation model, was estimated at $126,000
at the date of the grant and the Company charged that amount to expense during
1999.


     During 1999 the Company contracted with several advisory groups to assist
in conjunction with the sale of the 6% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2000
(See Note 11) and Private Placement Offerings of Common Stock during 1999.
Accordingly, the Company was required to issue warrants to purchase 542,474
shares of Common Stock at a weighted-average exercise price of $0.25 to the
advisory groups for their services. On January 3, 2000, the Company issued
warrants to purchase 387,019 shares of Common Stock at a weighted average
exercise price of $0.10. In May 2000, the Company issued the remaining warrants
to purchase 155,455 shares of Common Stock to Denis M. O'Donnell, M.D., a
director of the Company, and the designee of Westgate Partners, L.L.C, an
advisory group entitled to receive the warrants. The exercise price of these
warrants was adjusted from $0.363 per share to $0.01 per share to reflect Dr.
O'Donnell's election to forgo cash compensation due under the same agreement.


                                      F-17
<PAGE>   54




     In November 2000, the Company issued warrants to purchase a total of
200,000 shares of Common Stock, at an exercise price of $1.00 per share, to
non-employees as compensation for financial services to be provided under
agreements covering a one-year period. The warrants vest in equal amounts each
month over the period. The Company may terminate the agreements upon thirty days
written notice, and any unvested options as of the date of termination would be
cancelled. The measurement date of these warrants had not been determined as of
December 31, 2000 and therefore, the value of these warrants will be based on
the market value of the Common Stock at the end of each interim period until the
measurement date is determined. A fair value of $178,000 for these warrants was
calculated at December 31, 2000, using the Black-Scholes valuation model and the
Company recorded $17,000 as selling, general and administrative expense in 2000.

     During 2001, several advisory groups, contracted to assist the Company in
completing a Private Placement Offering of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
in 2001 were compensated through the payment of $159,000 in cash, the issuance
of 374,000 shares of Common Stock, and the issuance of warrants to purchase
534,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.


                                      F-18
<PAGE>   55

     ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS TO PURCHASE ASSETS


     In June 2000, the Company entered into a perpetual License and Technology
Agreement (the "Agreement") with Invirion, granting the Company exclusive rights
to certain medical technology for the detection of oncogenic (cancer causing)
types of the Human Papilloma Virus ("HPV"). The Agreement provides for $500,000
in cash payments and the issuance of warrants to purchase 400,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.01, based on the delivery of three
milestones. The first two milestones were met in 2000 which required the Company
to pay $400,000 and issue 250,000 warrants. The Company used the Black-Scholes
valuation model to determine a fair market value for the warrants of $530,000
and recorded the amount as license fees.



                                      F-19
<PAGE>   56
     In applying the Black-Scholes valuation model, the Company has used an
expected dividend yield of zero, a risk-free interest rate of 6% for 2000 and 5%
for 1999, a volatility factor of 216% for 2000 and 185% for 1999, and a fair
value of the underlying common shares of closing market price on the date of
grant. The expected life equaled the term of the warrants, options, or
restricted shares.

     WARRANTS

     At December 31, 2000, the Company had the following outstanding warrants
to purchase shares of Common Stock:

                                               Weighted
                                                Average
  Total Shares   Exercisable   Unexercisable Exercise Price   Expiration Date

     387,019       387,019               0        $0.10      January 3, 2003
      48,333        48,333               0        $1.50      May 23, 2003
   1,316,515     1,316,515               0        $0.01      May 24, 2003
     250,000       250,000               0        $0.01      September 11, 2003
      50,000        50,000               0        $0.33      December 10, 2004
     200,000        16,666         183,334        $1.00      November 22, 2005
      50,000        50,000               0        $0.94      December 1, 2005
   1,000,000     1,000,000               0        $1.25      December 8, 2005
     250,000       250,000               0        $0.33      July 14, 2009
   ---------     ---------         -------
   3,551,867     3,368,533         183,334        $0.49
   =========     =========         =======

     STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     At December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998, the Company had 450,000 stock
appreciation rights (SARs) outstanding. These SARs, issued in 1989, have an
exercise price of $0.30 and can be exercised through November 20, 2001. In
general, each SAR entitles the holder to receive upon exercise an amount equal
to the excess, if any, of the market value per share of Common Stock at the date
of exercise over the exercise price of the SAR, plus any dividends or
distributions per share made by the Company prior to the exercise date. In lieu
of making cash payments, the Company may elect, and intends, to issue shares of
Common Stock on a one share for one SAR basis. The Company has recorded
compensation expenses $91,395 and $230,625 for the years ended December 31, 2000
and 1999, respectively, to reflect the difference between the closing market
price of the Company's common stock at year-end and the exercise price of the
SARs. No compensation expense was recorded for the year ended December 31, 1998
as the closing year-end market price approximated the exercise price of the
SARs.

                                      F-20
<PAGE>   57
NOTE: 13. LEASES

     The Company currently leases approximately 5,600 square feet of space for
its Chicago, Illinois corporate headquarters and research laboratory and offices
under an operating type lease expiring in 2006. The Company's wholly owned
subsidiary, Samba Technologies, Sarl., leases approximately 300 square meters of
office space in a suburb of Grenoble, France under an operating type lease
expiring in 2008. Samba has the option to terminate the lease at the end of each
three year term. Total rental expense during the year ended December 31, 2000
was $90,000. Total rental expense, including expenses related to the Company's
previous headquarters location and Samba's previous temporary office space,
during the year ended December 31, 1999 was $61,000.

     Future minimum annual lease payments under the leases as of December 31,
2000 are (in thousands):


                                      F-21




<PAGE>   58
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Year              Amount
          ----              ------
<S>                        <C>
          2001             $134,130
          2002             $144,124
          2003             $124,860
          2004             $129,447
          2005             $134,204
          2006              $22,909
</TABLE>


NOTE 14. INCOME TAXES

     Significant components of deferred income taxes consist of the following at
December 31 (in thousands):




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   2000           1999
                                                  ------         ------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>
     Deferred tax assets related to:
          Net operating loss carryforwards        $3,962         $1,647
          Accrued interest                             1              1
          Depreciation/amortization                    8              8
                                                  ------         ------
                                                   3,971          1,656

               Less valuation reserve              3,971          1,656
                                                  ------         ------
     Net deferred tax asset                       $    -         $    -
                                                  ======         ======
</TABLE>


     At December 31, 2000, the Company had domestic net operating loss
carryforwards aggregating approximately $11,200,000. For financial reporting
purposes, this entire amount of deferred tax assets related principally to the
net operating loss carryforwards has been offset by a valuation allowance due
to uncertainty regarding the realization of the assets. The valuation allowance
increased $2,315,000 and $1,378,000 during the years ended December 31, 2000
and 1999 respectively.

     Income tax benefit allocable to loss before income taxes differs from
amounts computed by applying the US Federal income tax rate of 35% as a result
of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   2000        1999       1998
                                                                   ----        ----       ----
     <S>                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
     Computed expected tax benefit                               $(2,314)    $(1,479)    $(276)

     Non recognition of tax benefit due to operating loss          2,314       1,479       276
                                                                 -------     -------     -----
          Total tax benefit                                      $     -     $     -     $   -
</TABLE>

     The components of net loss of domestic and foreign is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   2000        1999       1998
                                                                   ----        ----       ----
     <S>                                                         <C>         <C>         <C>
     Domestic                                                    $(6,505)    $(3,439)    $(789)

     Foreign                                                     $  (106)    $  (787)    $   -
                                                                 -------     -------     -----
          Total:                                                 $(6,611)    $(4,226)    $(789)
</TABLE>



The net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2018.

NOTE 15. EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AND EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

     On May 25, 1999, stockholders approved the establishment of the 1999 Equity
Incentive Plan effective as of June 1, 1999. The Plan provides that the Board
may grant various forms of equity incentives to directors, employees, and
consultants, including but not limited to Incentive Stock Options, Non -
Qualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Restricted Stock Awards.
Grants under the Plan are exercisable at Fair Market Value determined as of the
date of grant in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Grants vest to
recipients immediately or ratably over periods ranging from two to five years,
and expire five to ten years from the date of grant.

     On May 23, 2000, stockholders approved Amendment No. 1 to the Plan, which
increased the number of shares of Common Stock allocated for use in the Plan
from 2,000,000 shares to 3,000,000 shares.

     The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for options granted to employees under the Equity Incentive Plan. No
compensation cost was recorded



                                      F-22
<PAGE>   59
during 2000 or 1999 for options granted to employees as the exercise price
approximated the fair value of the underlying Common Stock on the date of the
grant.

     Had stock options been accounted for under the fair value method
recommended by SFAS 123, the Company's net loss for the years ended December 31,
2000 and 1999 would have been $7,639,000 and $4,293,000 respectively on a pro
forma basis, and a net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2000 and
1999 of $.27 and $.30 on a pro forma basis.

     The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of the grant
using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average
assumptions: risk-free interest rates of 6% for 2000 and 5% for 1999; dividend
yields of zero for both years; volatility factors of the expected market price
of the Company's common stock of 216% for 2000 and 185% for 1999; and a weighted
average expected life of the options of 2.5 - 5 years.

     A summary of the Company's stock option activity, and related information
for the years ended December 31, follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                        Weighted
                                                                                                        Average
                                                                                                        Exercise
                                                                                          Options        Price
                                                                                         ---------      ---------
<S>                                                                        <C>           <C>            <C>
Outstanding at December 31, 1998.                                                                -         -
Granted                                                                                  1,035,000      $0.3964
Exercised                                                                                        -         -
Forfeited                                                                                  (15,000)     $0.3937
                                                                                         ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 1999.                                                        1,020,000      $0.3964
Exercisable at December 31, 1999.                                           373,337                     $0.3955
                                                                          =========
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year.                                         $0.4461
Granted                                                                                  1,510,000      $2.5258
Exercised                                                                                        -
Forfeited                                                                                 (274,166)     $2.4177
                                                                                         ---------
Outstanding at December 31, 2000                                                         2,255,834
                                                                                         =========
Exercisable at December 31, 2000                                          1,161,169                     $0.9925
                                                                          =========
Weighted average fair value of options granted during the year.                                         $2.1760
                                                                                                        -------
</TABLE>


     At the Annual Meeting on May 25, 1999, the stockholders also approved the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Plan offers employees the opportunity to
purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company, through a payroll deduction
plan, at 85% of the fair market value of such shares at specified enrollment
measurement dates. The aggregate number of shares available for purchase under
the Plan is 200,000. At December 31, 2000, employees purchased 21,989 shares of
Common Stock at a price of $0.79 per share through payroll deductions. The
Company received total cash proceeds of approximately $17,000. During 1999 there
was no activity in the Plan and no shares were purchased.

NOTE 16. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

At December 31, 2000, the Company was contractually committed to pay
approximately $656,000 to scientists, researchers, universities, and other
independent third parties for services to be performed during 2001. The Company
may unilaterally cancel these contracts with thirty days written notice or for
non-performance.


NOTE 17. GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION


     Revenues derived from customer outside North America accounted for 100% of
the Company's total revenues in 2000 and 1999.

     The Company attributes its revenues to countries based on the country in
which the client is located. The Company's long-lived assets located outside
the United States are not considered material.

NOTE 18. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

     The following table represents unaudited quarterly operating results for
the two years ended December 31, 2000 and 1999. This information has been
prepared by the Company on a basis consistent with the Company's audited
financial statements. In management's opinion, the quarterly operating results
include all adjustments necessary (which are of a normal and recurring nature)
for the fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented.
Basic loss per share for each quarter is computed using the weighted-average
number of shares outstanding during that quarter. Basic loss per share for the
full year is computed using the weighted-average number of shares outstanding
during the year. Thus, the sum of the four quarters' basic loss per share may
not equal the full-year basic loss per share. In addition, due to rounding of
each quarters' operating results, the full-year operating results disclosed in
the consolidated statements may not equal the sum of each quarters' operating
results shown below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            2000                            1999
                                       QUARTER ENDED                    QUARTER ENDED
                                         (in thousands, except per share amounts)
                                  Mar.     June      Sept.     Dec.        Mar.     June     Sept.     Dec.
                                   31       30        30        31          31       30       30        31
                                 -----    -----     -----     -----       -----    -----    -----     -----
<S>                           <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
TOTAL REVENUES                 $   362   $  179   $   298   $   255     $   311   $  231   $  370   $    128
GROSS PROFIT                       172       20       104       161         154       77       81        186
NET LOSS                        (3,139)    (646)   (1,475)   (1,351)       (543)    (795)    (809)    (2,079)
BASIC LOSS PER SHARE           $ (0.15)  $(0.02)  $ (0.05)  $ (0.04)    $ (0.05)  $ (0.06) $ (0.05)  $ (0.12)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER
 OF SHARES OUTSTANDING          21,301    29,865   30,056    30,163      12,000    12,639   14,730    18,075
</TABLE>

                                      F-23
<PAGE>   60

NOTE 19. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS


     On February 7, 2001, the Company signed a Definitive Agreement (the
"Agreement") to acquire 100% of AccuMed International, Inc. Under the terms of
the Agreement, the Company will exchange approximately 3,750,000 shares of newly
issued Common Stock for all of the outstanding common stock of AccuMed. In
addition, the Company will exchange approximately 590,000 shares of newly issued
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for all of the outstanding convertible
preferred stock of AccuMed. The Series A Convertible Preferred stock would be
convertible into approximately 250,000 shares of Common Stock.

     The Agreement required that the Company loan AccuMed $470,000 in cash at
signing, and to make loans of $225,000 at the beginning of March, April and May
2001 to AccuMed to be used for working capital. The Agreement was approved by
the Boards of Directors of both companies and is subject to approval by the
stockholders of AccuMed. The Board members and management of AccuMed have signed
agreements to vote their shares, representing approximately 18% of the common
shares and 51% of the preferred shares entitled to vote, for approval of the
Agreement. The Company anticipates closing the acquisition by the end of May
2001.

     In October 2000, the Board of directors authorized the Company to raise
additional new equity to support current and future operations. In February
2001, the Company completed the private offering of 1,333,856 shares of Series B
Convertible Preferred Stock. The Series B preferred stock has a stated value of
$4.00 per share, an annual dividend rate of 10%, and is convertible into Common
Stock at a conversion price equal to $1.00 per share. The Company received net
cash proceeds from the February 2001 offering of $5,176,000, including $500,000
received in December 2000 as further described in Note 7. Proceeds from the
offering will be used to fund the required monthly loans to AccuMed, to cover
other costs related to completion of the acquisition of AccuMed, repay certain
outstanding indebtedness, fund clinical studies and trials of the Company's
products, and support general working capital. Several advisory groups,
contracted to assist the Company in completing this offering, were compensated
through the payment of $159,000 in cash, the issuance of 374,000 shares of
Common Stock, and the issuance of warrants to purchase 534,000 shares of Common
Stock at an exercise price of $1.20 per share.

     On February 1, 2001 and February 7, 2001, the Company received a combined
$495,000 in cash from Azimuth Corporation ("Azimuth") in exchange for two
promissory notes bearing interest at 15% per year. The cash was used to close
the AccuMed Agreement. The Company issued Azimuth a warrant to purchase
1,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.25 per share.




                                      F-24

<PAGE>   61

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

ITEM 14.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 10-K

DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF REPORT

(a) 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         Page
Index to Financial Statements                                                                            Number
-----------------------------                                                                        --------------
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
Report of Independent Auditors                                                                         F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2000 and 1999                                              F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2000 and
     1999, and the period March 16, 1998 (inception) through December 31, 1998.                        F-3
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended
     December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the period March 16, 1998 (inception)
     through December  31,1998.                                                                        F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2000 and
     1999, and for the period March 16, 1998 (inception) through December 31, 1998.                    F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements                                                                                             F-6 to F-24
</TABLE>


(a) 2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

     The following financial statement schedule is filed as a part of this
report as page F-31.

          Schedule IX - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts.

     All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or not
required, or because the required information is included in the Consolidated
Financial Statements or notes thereto.

(a) 3. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number    Description
-------   -----------

2.1       Bell National Corporation Plan of Reorganization (Annex I).
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Item 1 of the Bell National
          Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period from August 20,
          1985 to December 31, 1985 and for the years ended December 31, 1986
          and 1987.)*

2.2       Exchange Agreement dated December 4, 1998 among the Company, InPath,
          and the InPath Members. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix
          A to the Bell National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on
          Schedule 14A, filed on April 30,1999.)*

2.3       Agreement and Plan of Merger of Bell National Corporation and the
          Company.

                                      F-25
<PAGE>   62

          (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix C to the Bell
          National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed
          on April 30, 1999.)*


3.1       Restated Articles of Incorporation. (Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 3.1 of the Bell National Corporation Annual Report on Form
          10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988.)*

3.2       Bylaws of Bell National Corporation. (Incorporated herein by reference
          to Exhibit 3.2 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1989.)*

3.3       Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as amended. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Appendix D to the Bell National Corporation
          Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed on April 30, 1999.)*

3.4       By-laws of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix
          E to the Bell National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on
          Schedule 14A, filed on April 30, 1999.)*

3.5       Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A
          Convertible Preferred Stock of Ampersand Medical Corporation.

3.6       Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series B
          Convertible Preferred Stock of Ampersand Medical Corporation.

4.1       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant, as executed by Bell National
          Corporation on December 4, 1998 with respect to each of Mr. Gombrich,
          Theodore L. Koenig, William J. Ritger, Fred H. Pearson, Walter Herbst,
          AccuMed International, Inc., Northlea Partners Ltd., and Monroe
          Investments, Inc. (collectively, the "InPath Members"). (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 3 of the Schedule 13D filed jointly by
          the InPath Members on December 14, 1998.)*

4.2       Stockholders Agreement dated December 4, 1998 among the Company,
          Winchester National, Inc., the InPath Members, and Mr. Milley, Mr.
          Shaw, Cadmus, and MMI (collectively, the "Claimants"). (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to the Schedule 13D filed jointly by
          the InPath Members on December 14, 1998.)*

4.3       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Holleb & Coff on July
          4, 1999 representing the right to purchase 250,000 shares of Common
          Stock of the Company in connection with legal services rendered.
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1999.)*

4.4       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to The Research Works on
          October 11, 1999 representing the right to purchase 70,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with the preparation of an
          investment research report. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4.4 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
          year ended December 31, 1999.)*

4.5       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 10, 1999 representing the right to purchase 50,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for a 12%
          Convertible Promissory Note issued on the same date. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
          the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*



                                      F-26
<PAGE>   63


4.6       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 96,250 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.7       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 75,759 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.8       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 121,313 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.9       Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Richard Doermer on
          January 3, 2000 representing the right to purchase 94,697 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.10      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to William J. Ritger on
          May 24, 2000 representing the right to purchase 531,614 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.11      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Denis M. O'Donnell on
          May 24, 2000 representing the right to purchase 784,901 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services rendered.

4.12      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Prospektiva, SA on May
          23, 2000 representing the right to purchase 48,333 shares of Common
          Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory services
          rendered.

4.13      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Dr. Bruce Patterson,
          on September 12, 2000 representing the right to purchase 150,000
          shares of Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for
          the achievement of product development milestones under a License and
          Development Agreement for Specific Medical Technology for the
          Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus.

4.14      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Dr. Bruce Patterson,
          on September 12, 2000 representing the right to purchase 100,000
          shares of Common Stock of the Company as consideration for an Addendum
          to a License and Development Agreement for Specific Medical Technology
          for the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus.

4.15      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Osprey Partners, on
          November 22, 2000 representing the right to purchase 100,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial advisory
          services to be rendered over twelve months.

4.16      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Univest Management,
          Inc. on November 22, 2000 representing the right to purchase 100,000
          shares of Common Stock of the Company in connection with financial
          advisory services to be rendered over twelve months.

4.17      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 1, 2000 representing the right to purchase 50,000 shares of
          Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for a 12%
          Promissory Note issued on December 4, 2000.

4.18      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 8, 2000 representing the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares
          of Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for a 15%
          Promissory Note issued on December 11, 2000 in connection with the
          proposed acquisition of AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.



                                      F-27
<PAGE>   64


4.19      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          February 7, 2001 representing the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares
          of Common Stock of the Company as additional consideration for two 15%
          Promissory notes issued on February 1, 2001 and February 7, 2001 in
          connection with the proposed acquisition of AccuMed International,
          Inc. by the Company.

4.20      Form of Confidential $5,000,000 Common Stock Private Offering
          Memorandum dated January 2000.

4.21      Form of Confidential $5,000,000 Series B Convertible Preferred Stock
          Private Offering memorandum dated November 2000 and amended January
          30, 2001.

4.22      Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement dated July 25, 2000 among
          the Company, the InPath Members, Mr. Milley, Mr. Shaw, MMI, Cadmus
          Corporation, and Winchester National, Inc.

10.1      Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement dated as of November 20, 1989
          between the Company and Raymond O'S. Kelly. (Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.5 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989.)*

10.2      Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement dated as of November 20, 1989
          between the Company and Nicholas E. Toussaint. (Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.7 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1989.)*

10.3      Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement dated as of June 14, 1990 between
          the Company and Roy D. Rafalco. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 4 of the Company's Form 8-K filed June 15, 1990.)*

10.4      SAR Agreement Extension dated November 15, 1995 between the Company
          and Raymond O'S. Kelly. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
          10.20 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
          ended December 31, 1995.)*

10.5      SAR Agreement Extension dated November 15, 1995 between the Company
          and Nicholas E. Toussaint. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.21 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.)*

10.6      Employment Agreement dated May 1, 1998 between Mr. Gombrich and
          InPath, LLC, as amended on December 4, 1998. (Incorporated herein by
          reference to Exhibit 10.6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
          for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998).*

10.8      Claims Agreement dated December 4, 1998 among the Company, the
          Claimants, and Liberty Associates Limited Partnership. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Schedule 13D filed jointly by
          the InPath Members on December 14, 1998.)*

10.9      Ampersand Medical Corporation Equity Incentive Plan established as of
          June 1, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix F to the
          Bell National Corporation Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A,
          as filed on April 30, 1999.)*

10.10     Ampersand Medical Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Appendix G to the Bell National
          Corporation Definitive Proxy statement on Schedule 14A, as filed on
          April 30, 1999.)*

10.11     Employment Agreement dated June 1, 1999 between Mr. Prange and the
          Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the
          Company's




                                      F-28

<PAGE>   65

          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1999.)*

10.12     Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P., L.L.C. dated September
          1, 1999 pertaining to the premises located at suite 305, 414 N.
          Orleans, Chicago, IL 60610. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.12 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.13     Amendment to Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P., L.L.C.
          dated November 1, 1999 pertaining to the premises at suite 300, 414 N.
          Orleans, Chicago, IL 60610. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.13 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.14     Form of Note purchase Agreements dated between March 1, 1999 and June
          29, 1999 between the Company and several purchasers. (Incorporated
          herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of the Company's Annual Report on
          Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.15     Form of 6% Convertible Subordinated Note Due 2000, dated between
          March 1, 1999 and June 29, 1999 issued by the Company to several
          purchasers. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.15 of the
          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
          December 31, 1999.)*

10.16     Schedule of purchasers of 6% Convertible Notes Due 2000, including
          dates and amount purchased. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.16 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.17     Form of Senior Convertible Promissory Note issued to Azimuth
          Corporation on December 10, 1999. (Incorporated herein by reference to
          Exhibit 10.17 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
          fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.)*

10.18     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to David A. Fishman, M.D., on August 10, 1999 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated June 1, 1999.
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1999.)*

10.19     Form of Restricted Stock award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to Arthur L. Herbst, M.D., on August 10, 1999 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated July 1, 1999.
          (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.19 of the Company's
          Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1999.)*

10.20     From of $2,000,000 note received from Seaside Partners, L.P. on April
          28, 2000.

10.21     Form of $300,000 note received from AccuMed International, Inc. on
          September 22, 2000 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed by the Company.

10.22     Form of $500,000 Convertible Promissory Note issued to Azimuth
          Corporation on September 22, 2000 in connection with the proposed
          acquisition of AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company

10.23     Form of $500,000 Convertible Promissory Note issued to Monsun, AS on
          November 1, 2000.

10.24     Form of $200,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          December 4, 2000.

10.25     Form of $100,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on


                                      F-29

<PAGE>   66

          December 11, 2000 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.

10.26     Amendment to Patent and Technology License Agreement dated June 9,
          2000 by and between Ampersand Medical Corporation, AccuMed
          International, Inc. and InPath, L.L.C.

10.27     License and Development Agreement for Specific Medical Technology for
          the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus dated June 23, 2000, by and
          between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson, and Ampersand Medical
          Corporation.

10.28     First Addendum to License and Development Agreement for Specific
          Medical Technology for the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus dated
          September 12, 2000, by and between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson and
          Ampersand Medical Corporation,

10.29     Second Addendum to License and Development Agreement for Specific
          Medical Technology for the Detection of Oncogenic HPV Virus dated
          January 12, 2001, by and between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson and
          Ampersand Medical Corporation.

10.30     Form of $25,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          February 1, 2001 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.

10.31     Form of $470,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth Corporation on
          February 7, 2001 in conjunction with the proposed acquisition of
          AccuMed International, Inc. by the Company.

10.32     Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P.,L.L.C date May 18, 2000,
          pertaining to premises located at 414 N. Orleans, Suite 510, Chicago,
          Illinois 60610.

10.33     First Amendment to Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P.,
          L.L.C. dated February 13, 2001, pertaining to additional premises at
          414 N. Orleans, Suite 503, Chicago, Illinois 60610 and extending the
          term of the original lease until February 28, 2006

10.34     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 25,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to Eric A Gombrich on May 1, 2000 as additional compensation
          under a 36 month Employment Agreement dated April 1 2000.

10.35     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to Ralph M. Richart, M.D., on July 24, 2000 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated June 1, 2000.

10.36     Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of Common Stock
          issued to J. Thomas Cox, M.D., on October 20, 2000 as additional
          compensation under a 36 month Consulting Agreement dated October 15,
          2000.

10.37     Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among AccuMed International,
          Inc., AccuMed Acquisition Corp. and Ampersand Medical Corporation,
          dated as of February 7, 2001, including Exhibit A - Form of Voting
          Agreement; Exhibit B - Form of Secured Promissory Note and Security
          Agreement.

21.1      Subsidiaries of the Company.


          * - SEC File No. 0-935



                                      F-30

<PAGE>   67




                          AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION
                 SCHEDULE IX - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                                    ADDITIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               BALANCE AT     CHARGED TO                                    BALANCE
                                                BEGINNING      COSTS AND                        OTHER      AT END OF
                DESCRIPTION                     OF PERIOD      EXPENSES       RETIREMENTS      CHANGES      PERIOD
                -----------                     ---------      --------       -----------      -------      ------
<S>                                             <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>          <C>

RESERVES AND ALLOWANCES DEDUCTED
     FROM ASSET ACCOUNTS

ALLOWANCE FOR UNCOLLECTABLE
     ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Period from March 16, 1998 (inception)
through December 31, 1998                              $0            $0               $0          $0           $0
Year ended December 31, 1999                           $0           $20               $0          $0          $20
Year ended December 31, 2000                          $20            $0              $16          $0           $4

RESERVES AND ALLOWANCES WHICH
    SUPPORT BALANCE SHEET CAPTION
    RESERVES

WARRANTY RESERVES
Period from March 16, 1998 (inception)
through December 31, 1998                              $0            $0               $0          $0           $0
Year ended December 31, 1999                           $0           $28               $0          $0          $28
Year ended December 31, 2000                          $28            $0               $7          $0          $21
</TABLE>



                                      F-31
<PAGE>   68
                          AMPERSAND MEDICAL CORPORATION
                                       AND
                                  SUBSIDIARIES

                                    FORM 10-K

                      FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

 EXHIBITS
 --------
    3.5      Certificate of Designation, Preferences, and Rights
             of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of Ampersand
             Medical Corporation

    3.6      Certificate of Designation, Preferences, and Rights
             of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Ampersand
             Medical Corporation

    4.6      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Richard Doermer on January 3, 2000 representing the
             right to purchase 96,250 shares of Common Stock.

    4.7      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Richard Doermer on January 3, 2000 representing the
             right to purchase 75,759 shares of Common Stock.

    4.8      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Richard Doermer on January 3, 2000 representing the
             right to purchase 121,313 shares of Common Stock.

    4.9      Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Richard Doermer on January 3, 2000 representing the
             right to purchase 94,697 shares of Common Stock.

    4.10     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             William J. Ritger on May 24, 2000 representing the
             right to purchase 531,614 shares of Common Stock.

    4.11     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Denis
             M. O'Donnell on May 24, 2000 representing the right
             to purchase 784,901 shares of Common Stock.

    4.12     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Prospektiva, SA on May 23, 2000 representing the
             right to purchase 48,333 shares of Common Stock.

    4.13     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Dr.
             Bruce Patterson on September 12, 2000 representing
             the right to purchase 150,000 shares of Common Stock.

    4.14     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to Dr.
             Bruce Patterson on September 12, 2000 representing
             the right to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock.

    4.15     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Osprey Partners on November 22, 2000 representing the
             right to purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock.

    4.16     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Univest


                                      F-32
<PAGE>   69
             Management, Inc. on November 22, 2000 representing the right to
             purchase 100,000 shares of Common Stock.

    4.17     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Azimuth Corporation on December 1, 2000 representing
             the right to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock.

    4.18     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Azimuth Corporation on December 8, 2000 representing
             the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common
             Stock.

    4.19     Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant issued to
             Azimuth Corporation on February 7, 2001 representing
             the right to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common
             Stock.

    4.20     Form of Confidential $5,000,000 Common Stock Private
             Offering Memorandum dated January 2000.

    4.21     Form of Confidential $5,000,000 Series B Convertible
             Preferred Stock Private Offering Memorandum dated
             November 2000 and amended January 30, 2001.

    4.22     Amendment No. 1 to Stockholders Agreement dated July
             25, 2000.

    10.20    Form of $2,000,000 note received from Seaside
             Partners, L.P., on April 28, 2000.

    10.21    Form of $300,000 note received from AccuMed
             International, Inc. on September 22, 2000.

    10.22    Form of $500,000 Convertible Promissory Note issued
             to Azimuth Corporation on September 22, 2000.

    10.23    Form of $500,000 Convertible Promissory Note issued
             to Monsun, AS on November 1, 2000.

    10.24    Form of $200,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth
             Corporation on December 4, 2000.

    10.25    Form of $100,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth
             Corporation on December 11, 2000.

    10.26    Amendment to Patent and Technology License Agreement
             dated June 9, 2000, by and between Ampersand Medical
             Corporation, AccuMed International, Inc., and InPath,
             L.L.C.

    10.27    License and Development Agreement for Specific
             Medical Technology for the Detection of Oncogenic HPV
             vVirus dated June 23, 2000 by and between Invirion,
             Dr. Bruce Patterson, Ampersand Medical Corporation.

    10.28    First Addendum to License and Development Agreement
             for Specific Medical Technology for the Detection of
             Oncogenic HPV vVirus dated September 12, 2000 by and
             between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson, Ampersand
             Medical Corporation.

    10.29    Second Addendum to License and Development Agreement
             for Specific Medical Technology for the Detection of
             Oncogenic HPV vVirus dated January 12, 2001 by and
             between Invirion, Dr. Bruce Patterson, Ampersand
             Medical Corporation.

    10.30    Form of $25,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth


                                      F-33
<PAGE>   70
             Corporation on February 1, 2001.

    10.31    Form of $470,000 Promissory Note issued to Azimuth
             Corporation on February 7, 2001.

    10.32    Lease Agreement between the Company and O.P., L.L.C.,
             dated May 18, 2000, pertaining to the premises at 414
             N. Orleans, Suite 510, Chicago IL 60610.

    10.33    First Amendment to Lease Agreement between the
             Company and O.P., L.L.C., dated February 13, 2001,
             pertaining to additional premises at 414, N. Orleans,
             Suite 503, Chicago IL 60610.

    10.34    Form of Restricted Stock Award of 25,000 shares of
             Common Stock to Eric A. Gombrich dated May 1, 2000.

    10.35    Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of
             Common Stock to Ralph M. Richart, M.D. dated July 24,
             2000.

    10.36    Form of Restricted Stock Award of 50,000 shares of
             Common Stock to J. Thomas Cox, M.D. dated October 20,
             2000.

    10.37    Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among AccuMed
             International, Inc., AccuMed Acquisition Corp. and
             Ampersand Medical Corporation dated February 7, 2001.

    21.1     Subsidiaries of the Company.


                                      F-34