Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10(ww)

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

             AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of May 22, 2000 (the
"Effective Date") by and between Novametrix Medical Systems Inc., a Delaware
corporation (together with its successors and assigns permitted under this
Agreement, the "Company"), and Thomas M.  Patton (the "Executive").

                             W I T N E S S E T H :

             WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to enter
into an agreement embodying the terms of such employment (this "Agreement") and
the Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to accept such
employment, subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement;

             NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual
covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive
(individually a "Party" and together the "Parties") agree as follows:

             1.  Definitions.

                     (a)  "Affiliate" of a person or other entity shall mean a
person or other entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by,
or is under common control with the person or other entity specified.

                     (b)  "Base Salary" shall mean the salary provided for in
Section 4 below or any increased salary granted to the Executive pursuant to
Section 4.

                     (c)  "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the
Company.

                     (d)  "Cause" shall mean:

                                  (i)      the Executive is indicted for a
felony or other serious crime involving moral turpitude;

                                  (ii)     the Executive participates in an act
of fraud or dishonesty against the Company or any of its customers or
suppliers; or

                                  (iii)    in carrying out his duties, the
Executive engages in conduct that constitutes a willful gross or intentional
breach of his duties under this Agreement.

                     (e)  "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any
one of the following events:

                                  (i)      any "person," as such term is used
in Sections 3(a)(9) and 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, becomes a
"beneficial owner," as such term is used in Rule 13D-3 promulgated under that
act, of 50% or more of the Voting Stock of the Company;

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                                  (ii)     the majority of the Board consists
of individuals other than Incumbent Directors, which term means the members of
the Board on the date of this Agreement, provided that any person becoming a
director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was
supported by two- thirds of the directors who then comprised the Incumbent
Directors shall be considered to be an Incumbent Director;

                                  (iii)    the Company adopts any plan of
liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of its
assets;

                                  (iv)     all or substantially all of the
assets or business of the Company is disposed of pursuant to a merger,
consolidation or other transaction (unless the shareholders of the Company
immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction
beneficially own, directly or in- directly, in substantially the same
proportion as they owned the Voting Stock of the Company, all of the Voting
Stock or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that
succeed to the business of the Company); or

                                  (v)      the Company combines with another
company and is the surviving corporation but, immediately after the
combination, the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to the
combination hold, directly or indirectly, 50% or less of the Voting Stock of
the combined company (there being excluded from the number of shares held by
such shareholders, but not from the Voting Stock of the combined company, any
shares received by Affiliates of such other company in exchange for stock of
such other company).

                                           For purposes of the Change in Control
definition, the "Company" shall include any entity that succeeds to all or
substantially all of the business of the Company.

                     (f)  "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.

                     (g)  "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall mean
termination by the Executive of his employment at his initiative following the
occurrence of any of the following events without his consent:

                                  (i)      the failure to elect or reelect the
Executive to any of the positions described in Section 3 or the removal of him
from any such position;

                                  (ii)     a material diminution in the
Executive's duties or the assignment to the Executive of duties which are
materially inconsistent with his duties or which materially impair the
Executive's ability to function as the President and Chief Operating Officer of
the Company;

                                  (iii)    a change in the reporting structure
of the Company so that the Executive no longer reports directly to the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company; or

                                  (iv)     a material breach by the Company of
the provisions of this Agreement; or

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                                  (v)      the failure of the Company to obtain
the assumption in writing of its obligation to perform this Agreement by any
successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company within 15
calendar days after a merger, consolidation, sale or similar transaction; or

                                  (vi)     the occurrence of a Change in
Control of the Company.

                                  Following written notice from the Executive
of any of the events described above, which notice must be delivered within 30
calendar days following his learning of the occurrence of any of such events,
the Company shall have 30 calendar days in which to cure.  If the Company fails
to cure, the Executive's termination shall become effective on the 31st
calendar day following the written notice.

                     (h)  "Disability" shall mean the Executive's inability,
due to physical or mental incapacity, substantially to perform his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement for a period of 270 days as determined by
a medical doctor selected by the Company who is reasonably satisfactory to the
Executive.

                     (i)  "Pro Rata" shall mean a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of days that the Executive was employed in the applicable
performance period (a calendar year in the case of an annual bonus and a
performance cycle in the case of an award under the Long-Term Incentive Plan)
and the denominator of which shall be the number of days in the applicable
performance period.

                     (j)  "Special Termination" shall mean termination by the
Executive of his employment at his initiative in the following circumstances.
If the Executive reasonably concludes that his ability to function effectively
as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company has been materially
impaired as a result of the chronic and systemic interference, direct or
indirect, by the Chief Executive Officer and if the Executive and the Chief
Executive Officer are unable to reach an agreement which is reasonably
satisfactory to the Executive as to the basis on which the Executive's ability
to function effectively as President and Chief Operating Officer can be
established or restored, as the case may be, then the Executive shall be
entitled to terminate his employment.  There shall be no Special Termination
without written notice from the Executive describing the basis for the
termination to the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (with a
copy to the Board of Directors) following which the Company shall have 30
calendar days in which to cure.  If the Company fails to cure, the Executive's
termination shall become effective on the 31st calendar day following the
written notice.

                     (k)  "Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

                     (l)  "Term of Employment" shall mean the period specified
in Section 2 below (including any extension as provided therein).

                     (m)  "Voting Stock" shall mean capital stock of any class
or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the
absence of contingencies, to elect the directors of a corporation.

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             2.  Term of Employment.

                       The Term of Employment shall begin on the Effective
Date, and shall extend until December 31, 2003, with automatic one-year
extensions thereafter unless either Party notifies the other at least 120 days
before the scheduled expiration date that the term is not to extend.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term of Employment may be earlier terminated
by either Party in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.

             3.  Position, Duties and Responsibilities.

                       (a)        Commencing on the Effective Date and
continuing for the remainder of the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be
employed as the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company.  The
Executive shall have all the authorities and responsibilities that are
customarily associated with such positions in a company of the size and
structure of the Company.  The Executive, in carrying out his duties under this
Agreement, shall report to the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company. During the term of this Agreement, the Executive shall
devote substantially all of his business time and attention to the business and
affairs of the Company and shall use his best efforts, skills and abilities to
promote its interests.

                       (b)        Nothing herein shall preclude the Executive
from (i) serving on the boards of directors of a reasonable number of other
corporations with the concurrence of the Board (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld), (ii) serving on the boards of a reasonable number of
trade associations and/or charitable organizations, (iii) engaging in
charitable activities and community affairs, and (iv) managing his personal
investments and affairs, provided that such activities set forth in this
Section 3(b) do not conflict or materially interfere with the effective
discharge of his duties and responsibilities under Section 3(a).

             4.  Salary.

                       The Executive shall be paid an annualized Salary,
payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company,
currently in equal semi-monthly installments, subject to applicable
withholdings, of $200,000.  The Salary shall be reviewed annually for increase
in the discretion of the Board.

             5.  Annual Incentive Compensation.

                       During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be
eligible to receive an annual incentive payment (the "Incentive Payment") in
accordance with the Company's annual incentive program for its senior
executives or any successor thereto.  The Executive's target Incentive Payment
for each fiscal year of the Company shall be 50% of his Base Salary.  Each
Incentive Payment earned by the Executive shall be paid within 90 days after
the end of the fiscal year for which it is earned.

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             6.  Stock Option Award.

                       As of the Effective Date, the Company shall grant the
Executive a ten-year non-qualified stock option to purchase 375,000 shares of
Stock, such stock option to be substantially in the form of Exhibit A attached
hereto.

             7.  Long Term Incentives.

                       The Executive shall be eligible to participate in any
long term incentive programs (including equity programs) implemented by the
Company for its senior executives.

             8.  Employee Benefit Programs and Perquisites.

                       During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be
entitled to participate in the Company's employee medical, dental and
hospitalization plans, as well as any welfare or pension benefits made
available to the Company's senior executives or to its employees generally,
such as profit sharing, savings and other retirement plans or programs, 401(k),
disability and life insurance plans, accidental death and dismemberment
protection, and travel accident insurance.  During the term of this Agreement,
the Company shall purchase for the Executive a supplemental disability
insurance policy pursuant to which the Executive would be entitled to receive
benefits such that his aggregate disability payments to age 65 pursuant to the
Company's disability programs would be equal to his Base Salary in effect at
the time he becomes disabled.

                       The Company may purchase one or more "key man"
insurance policies on the Executive's life, each of which will be payable to
and owned by the Company.  The Company, in its sole discretion, may select the
amount and type of key man life insurance purchased, and the Executive will
have no interest in any such policy.  The Executive will cooperate with the
Company in securing this key man insurance, by submitting to all required
medical examinations, supplying all information and executing all documents
required in order for the Company to secure the insurance.

                       The Executive shall be entitled to annual vacations
in accordance with the Company's policies applicable to senior executives
generally and to an automobile allowance of $650 per month.

                       The Executive shall be provided with other employee
benefits and perquisites on the same basis as they are provided by the Company
from time to time to the Company's other senior executives.

             9.  Reimbursement of Moving and Other Business Expenses.

                                  (i)      The Executive understands that, as a
condition of his employment by the Company, he is required to relocate his
residence to the Wallingford, Connecticut area, as promptly as practicable.
Subject to submission of reasonable supporting documentation, the Executive
shall be entitled to reimbursement of costs reasonably incurred in connection
with such relocation, including (a) reasonable costs (including air fare)
incurred in connection with three trips for the Executive and his spouse
between Memphis, Tennessee and Wallingford,

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Connecticut; (b) reasonable expenses incurred in connection with moving
household goods; and (c) a non-accountable cash allowance of $15,000 to be used
for miscellaneous other moving-related expenses.

                                  (ii)     The Executive is authorized to
incur reasonable expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under
this Agreement and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all reasonable
business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the
Company, subject to his submission of reasonable supporting documentation in
accordance with the Company's policies.

             10. Termination of Employment.

                     (a)     Termination Due to Death.  In the event that
the Executive's employment is terminated due to his death, his estate or his
beneficiaries, as the case may be, shall be entitled to the following:

                                  (i)      Base Salary through the date of the
Executive's death;

                                  (ii)     a Pro Rata Incentive Payment for the
fiscal year in which the Executive's death occurs, based on the original target
Incentive Payment for such year, payable in a single installment promptly after
his death; and

                                  (iii)    all outstanding stock options which
are not then vested shall be forfeited and all then vested options shall remain
exercisable for the balance of their stated term;

                     (b)     Termination Due to Disability.  In the event
that  the Executive's employment is terminated due to his Disability, he shall
be  entitled to the following:

                                  (i)      disability benefits in accordance
with the long-term disability program then in effect for senior executives of
the Company and the disability insurance policy provided pursuant to Section 9;

                                  (ii)     Base Salary through the end of the
month in which disability benefits commence;

                                  (iii)    a Pro Rata Incentive Payment for the
fiscal year in which the Executive's termination occurs, based on the original
target Incentive Payment for such year, payable in a single installment
promptly after his termination; and

                                  (iv)     all outstanding stock options which
are not then vested shall be forfeited and all vested options shall remain
exercisable for the balance of their stated term.

                     In no event shall a termination of the Executive's
employment for Disability occur until the Party terminating his employment
gives written notice to the other Party in accordance with Section 25 below.

                     (c)     Termination by the Company for Cause.

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                               (i)   A termination for Cause shall not
take effect unless the provisions of this paragraph (i) are complied with.  The
Executive shall be given written notice by the Board of the intention to
terminate him for Cause, stating the grounds on which the proposed termination
for Cause is based.  The Executive shall be given an opportunity to cure such
conduct, to the extent such cure is possible in the good faith opinion of a
majority of the members of the Board.  If he fails to cure such conduct, the
Executive shall then be entitled to a hearing before the Board, and,
thereafter, upon a determination by the affirmative vote of no fewer than a
majority of the members of Board that cause exists, he shall be terminated for
Cause.

                               (ii)  In the event the Company terminates
the Executive's employment for Cause:

                                     (A)     he shall be entitled to Base
Salary through the date of the termination; and

                                     (B)     all outstanding stock options
which are not then vested shall be forfeited and all vested options shall
remain exercisable until the 30th day after the date of termination.

                       (d)   Termination without Cause or Constructive
Termination without Cause.  In the event the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause, other than due to Disability or death,
or in the event there is a Constructive Termination without Cause, or in the
event the Term of Employment provided for in Section 2 is not extended and
expires, the Executive shall be entitled to the following:

                               (i)   Base Salary through the date of
termination;

                               (ii)  Base Salary, at the annualized rate
in effect on the date of termination, for 12 months (the "Salary Continuation
Period") after the date of termination;

                               (iii) all outstanding stock options which
are not then vested shall be forfeited and all vested options shall remain
exercisable for the balance of their stated term; and

                               (iv)    continued participation in all
medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance programs and in all other
employee welfare benefit plans and programs in which he was participating on
the date of termination (to the extent that such plans permit the Executive's
continued participation) until the earlier of (x) the end of the Salary
Continuation Period and (y) the date, or dates, that he becomes eligible for
coverages and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer.

                       (e)   Special Termination.  In the event there is a
Special Termination, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the same
benefits as are provided in Section 11(d) for a Termination without Cause
except that the Salary Continuation Period shall be:  (i) zero if termination
occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Effective Date, (ii) six months if
termination occurs after such first anniversary but less than 18 months after
the Effective Date, (iii) nine months if termination occurs prior to the second
anniversary of the Effective Date but 18 months or more after the Effective
Date and (iv) 12 months if termination occurs thereafter.

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                       (f)   Voluntary Termination.  A termination of
employment by the Executive on his own initiative, other than a termination due
to death or Disability or a Constructive Termination without Cause or a Special
Termination, shall have the same consequences as provided in Section 10(c)(ii)
for a Termination for Cause.  A voluntary termination under this Section 10(e)
shall be effective 30 calendar days after prior written notice is received by
the Company from the Executive, unless the Company elects to make it effective
earlier.

                       (g)   Consequences of a Change in Control.

                                  (i)      Upon Executive's termination of
employment pursuant to Section 10(d) following a Change in Control, the
Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 10(d) above as
well as to the benefits provided in Section 10(g)(ii).

                                  (ii)     Immediately following a Change in
Control, the Executive's then unvested stock options shall fully vest and shall
remain exercisable for the balance of their stated term.

                       (h)   Other Termination Benefits.  In the case of
any of the foregoing terminations, the Executive or his estate shall also be
entitled to:

                                  (i)      the balance of any incentive awards
due for performance periods which have been completed, but which have not yet
been paid;

                                  (ii)     any other amounts earned, accrued
and owing to the Executive but not yet paid; and

                                  (iii)    other benefits, if any, in
accordance with applicable plans, programs and arrangements of the Company and
its Affiliates.

                       (i)   No Mitigation; No Offset.  In the event of
any termination of employment under this Section 10, the Executive shall be
under no obligation to seek other employment and there shall be no offset
against amounts due the Executive under this Agreement on account of any
remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that he may obtain.

                       (j)   Nature of Payments.  Any amounts due under
this Section 10 are in the nature of severance payments considered to be
reasonable by the Company and are not in the nature of a penalty.

             11. Confidentiality.

                       (a)   The Executive agrees that he will not, at any
time during the Term of Employment or thereafter, disclose or use any trade
secret, proprietary or confidential information of the Company or any
subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company (collectively, "Confidential
Information"), except as required in the course of such employment or with the
written permission of the Company or, as applicable, any subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company or as may be required by law, provided that, if the
Executive receives legal process with regard to disclosure of such information,
he shall promptly notify the Company and cooperate with the Company in seeking
a protective order.

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                       (b)     The Executive agrees that at the time of the
termination of his employment with the Company, whether at the instance of the
Executive or the Company, and regardless of the reasons therefor, he will
deliver to the Company, and not keep or deliver to anyone else, any and all
notes, files, memoranda, papers and, in general, any and all physical matter
containing Confidential Information, including any and all documents
significant to the conduct of the business of the Company or any subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company and all other Confidential Information in his
possession, except for any documents or property as to which the Company or any
subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company has given written consent to removal at
the time of the termination of the Executive's employment and his personal
rolodex, personal files, phone book and similar items as long as they do not
contain Confidential Information, in which case, the Executive may retain a
copy.

                       (c)     The Executive shall promptly disclose to the
Company any invention, improvement, discovery, process, formula, or method or
other intellectual property, whether or not patentable or copyrightable
(collectively, "Inventions"), conceived or first reduced to practice by the
Executive, either alone or jointly with others, while performing services
hereunder (or, if based on any Confidential Information, at any time during or
after the Term), (i) which pertain to any line of business activity of the
Company, whether then conducted or then being actively planned by the Company,
with which the Executive was or is involved, (ii) which is developed using
time, material or facilities of the Company, whether or not during working
hours or on the Company premises, or (iii) which directly relates to any of the
Executive's work during the Term, whether or not during normal working hours.
The Executive hereby assigns to the Company all of the Executive's right, title
and interest in and to any such Inventions.  During and after the Term, the
Executive shall execute any documents necessary to perfect the assignment of
such Inventions to the Company and to enable the Company to apply for, obtain
and enforce patents, trademarks and copyrights in any and all countries on such
Inventions, including, without limitation, the execution of any instruments and
the giving of evidence and testimony, without further compensation beyond the
Executive's agreed compensation during the course of the Executive's
employment.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive further acknowledges
that all original works of authorship by the Executive, whether created alone
or jointly with others, related to the Executive's employment with the Company
and which are protectable by copyright, are "works made for hire" within the
meaning of the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C. Section 101, as amended,
and the copyright of which shall be owned solely, completely and exclusively by
the Company.  If any Invention is considered to be work not included in the
categories of work covered by the United States Copyright Act, 17 U.S.C.
Section 101, as amended, such work is hereby assigned or transferred completely
and exclusively to the Company.  The Executive hereby irrevocably designates
counsel to the Company as the Executive's agent and attorney-in-fact to do all
lawful acts necessary to apply for and obtain patents and copyrights and to
enforce the Company's rights under this Section.  This Section 12(c) shall
survive the termination of this Agreement.  Any assignment of copyright
hereunder includes all rights of paternity, integrity, disclosure and
withdrawal and any other rights that may be known as or referred to as "moral
rights" (collectively "Moral Rights").  To the extent such Moral Rights cannot
be assigned under applicable law and to the extent the following is allowed by
the laws in the various countries where Moral Rights exist, the Executive
hereby waives such Moral Rights and consents to any action of the Company that
would violate such Moral Rights in the absence of such consent.  The Executive
agrees to confirm any such waivers and consents from time to time as requested
by the Company.

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             12. Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation.

                       The Executive acknowledges that the Company has
invested substantial time, money and resources in the development and retention
of its Inventions, Confidential Information (including trade secrets),
customers, accounts and business partners, and further acknowledges that during
the course of the Executive's employment with the Company the Executive has had
and will have access to the Company's Inventions and Confidential Information
(including trade secrets), and will be introduced to existing and prospective
customers, accounts and business partners of the Company.  The Executive
acknowledges and agrees that any and all "goodwill" associated with any
existing or prospective customer, account or business partner belongs
exclusively to the Company, including, but not limited to, any goodwill created
as a result of direct or indirect contacts or relationships between the
Executive and any existing or prospective customers, accounts or business
partners.  Additionally, the parties acknowledge and agree that Executive
possesses skills that are special, unique or extraordinary and that the value
of the Company depends upon his use of such skills on its behalf.

             In recognition of this, the Executive covenants and agrees that:

                       (a)     During the Term, and for a period of one year
following any termination of the Executive's employment with the Company other
than a termination (x) by the Company without Cause (including a Constructive
Termination), (y) a Special Termination or (z) by non-extension of the Term of
Employment, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Board (whether as an employee, agent, servant, owner, partner, consultant,
independent contractor, representative, stockholder or in any other capacity
whatsoever) knowingly perform material services for, or knowingly have any
material involvement with, any person or entity (including a separate division
of an entity) that competes directly and materially with any business (a
"Material Business") which accounted for more than 10% of the revenues of the
Company during the fiscal year prior to his termination; provided, however,
that the Executive may in any event (i) perform services that do not directly
relate to business activities that compete directly and materially with a
material business of the Company, and (ii) own up to 3% of the outstanding
securities of any publicly-traded entity; and further provided that an entity
(including a separate division of an entity) shall be deemed to be in direct
and material competition with a Material Business of the Company only if the
entity (or such division) derived more than 10% of its revenues during its most
recent fiscal year from substantially similar businesses.

                       (b)     During the Term, and for a period of two years
thereafter, the Executive shall not entice, solicit or encourage any Company
employee to leave the employ of the Company or any independent contractor to
sever its engagement with the Company, absent prior written consent to do so
from the Board.

                       (c)     During the Term, and for a period of two
years thereafter, the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, entice,
solicit or encourage any customer or prospective customer of the Company to
cease doing business with the Company, reduce its relationship with the Company
or refrain from establishing or expanding a relationship with the Company.

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             13. Provisions Necessary and Reasonable.

                       (a)     The Executive agrees that (i) the provisions
of Sections 11 and 12 of this Agreement are necessary and reasonable to protect
the Company's Confidential Information, Inventions, and goodwill; (ii) the
specific temporal, geographic and substantive provisions set forth in Section
13 of this Agreement are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's
business interests; and (iii) in the event of any breach of any of the
covenants set forth herein, the Company would suffer substantial irreparable
harm and would not have an adequate remedy at law for such breach.  In
recognition of the foregoing, the Executive agrees that in the event of a
breach or threatened breach of any of these covenants, in addition to such
other remedies as the Company may have at law, without posting any bond or
security, the Company shall be entitled to seek and obtain equitable relief, in
the form of specific performance, and/or temporary, preliminary or permanent
injunctive relief, or any other equitable remedy which then may be available.
The seeking of such injunction or order shall not affect the Company's right to
seek and obtain damages or other equitable relief on account of any such actual
or threatened breach.

                       (b)     If any of the covenants contained in Sections
11 and 12 hereof, or any part thereof, are hereafter construed to be invalid or
unenforceable, the same shall not affect the remainder of the covenant or
covenants, which shall be given full effect without regard to the invalid
portions.

                       (c)     If any of the covenants contained in Sections
11 and 12 hereof, or any part thereof, are held to be unenforceable by a court
of competent jurisdiction because of the temporal or geographic scope of such
provision or the area covered thereby, the parties agree that the court making
such determination shall have the power to reduce the duration and/or
geographic area of such provision and, in its reduced form, such provision
shall be enforceable.

             14. Representations Regarding Prior Work and Legal Obligations.

                       (a)     The Executive represents that the Executive
has no agreement or other legal obligation with any prior employer, or any
other person or entity, that restricts the Executive's ability to accept
employment with, or to perform any function for, the Company.

                       (b)     The Executive has been advised by the Company
that at no time should the Executive divulge to or use for the benefit of the
Company any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information of any
previous employer.  The Executive expressly acknowledges that the Executive has
not divulged or used any such information for the benefit of the Company.

                       (c)     The Executive acknowledges that the Executive
has not and will not misappropriate any Invention that the Executive played any
part in creating while working for any former employer.

                       (d)     The Executive acknowledges that the Company
is basing important business decisions on these representations, and affirms
that all of the statements included herein are true.

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             15. Resolution of Disputes.

                       Subject to the provisions of Section 13, any disputes
arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved by binding
arbitration, to be held in New York, New York, in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.  Judgment
upon the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof.  Each Party shall bear his or its own costs (including
attorneys' fees) of any mediation, arbitration or litigation; however, the
Executive shall be reimbursed for the costs and expenses associated with his
legal fees to the extent he prevails on any material issue which is the subject
of the dispute.

             16. Indemnification.

                       (a)     The Company agrees that if the Executive is
made a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a
"Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or
employee of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a
director, officer, member, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with
respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the basis of such Proceeding
is the Executive's alleged action in an official capacity while serving as a
director, officer, member, employee or agent, the Executive shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent legally
permitted or authorized by the Company's certificate of incorporation or bylaws
or resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors or, if greater, by the laws
of the State of Delaware, against all cost, expense, liability and loss
(including, without limitation, attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise
taxes or other liabilities or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid in
settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Executive in connection
therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to the Executive even if
he has ceased to be a director, member, employee or agent of the Company or
other entity and shall inure to the benefit of the Executive's heirs, executors
and administrators.  The Company shall advance to the Executive all reasonable
costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a Proceeding within 20
calendar days after receipt by the Company of a written request for such
advance.  Such request shall include an undertaking by the Executive to repay
the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not
entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses.

                       (b)     Neither the failure of the Company (including
its board of directors, independent legal counsel or stockholders) to have made
a determination prior to the commencement of any proceeding concerning payment
of amounts claimed by the Executive under Section 16(a) that indemnification of
the Executive is proper because he has met the applicable standard of conduct,
nor a determination by the Company (including its board of directors,
independent legal counsel or stockholders) that the Executive has not met such
applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Executive
has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

                       (c)     The Company agrees to continue and maintain a
directors' and officers' liability insurance policy covering the Executive
during the Term of Employment and for six

                                      E-59
<PAGE>   13
years thereafter, to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its
other executive officers.

             17. Assignability; Binding Nature.

                       This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of
the Executive) and assigns.  Rights or obligations of the Company under this
Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company pursuant to a merger or
consolidation in which the Company is or is not the continuing entity, or the
sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company,
provided that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee
assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in
this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law.  The Company
further agrees that, in the event of a sale of assets or liquidation as
described in the preceding sentence, it shall take whatever action it
reasonably can in order to cause such assignee or transferee expressly to
assume the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company hereunder. No
rights or obligations of the Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or
transferred by the Executive other than his rights to compensation and
benefits, which may be transferred only by will or operation of law.

             18. Entire Agreement.

                       This Agreement contains the entire understanding and
agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and
undertakings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect
thereto.

             19. Amendment or Waiver.

                       No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless
such amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an
authorized officer of the Company.  No waiver by either Party of any breach by
the other Party of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be
performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or
dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
Any waiver must be in writing and signed by the Executive or an authorized
officer of the Company, as the case may be.

             20. Severability.

                       In the event that any provision or portion of this
Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in
whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be
unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest
extent permitted by law so as to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

             21. Survivorship.

                       Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this
Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall
survive any termination of the Executive's

                                      E-60
<PAGE>   14
employment.  This Agreement itself (as distinguished from the Executive's
employment) may not be terminated by either Party without the written consent
of the other Party.  Upon the expiration of the Term of the Agreement, the
respective rights and obligations of the Parties shall survive such expiration
to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the Parties as embodied
in the rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement.

             22. References.

                       In the event of the Executive's death or a judicial
determination of his incompetence, references in this Agreement to the
Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary,
estate or other legal representative.

             23. Governing Law.

                       This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware without reference to principles of conflict
of laws.

             24. Notices.

                       All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when (a)
delivered personally, (b) delivered by certified or registered mail, postage
prepaid, return receipt requested or (c) delivered by overnight courier
(provided that a written acknowledgment of receipt is obtained by the overnight
courier) to the Party concerned at the address indicated below or to such
changed address as such Party may subsequently give such notice of:

If to the Company:        Novametrix Medical Systems Inc.
                          Five Technology Drive
                          P.O. Box 690
                          Wallingford, CT  06492

                          Attention:  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
                                      Officer

With a copy to:           Thomas M. Haythe, Esq.
                          Law Offices of Thomas M. Haythe
                          90 Park Avenue
                          15th Floor
                          New York, NY  10016

If to the Executive:      Thomas M. Patton
                          25 Andy Lane
                          Guilford, CT  06437

                                      E-61
<PAGE>   15
             25. Headings.

                       The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement
are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the
meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.

             26. Counterparts.

                       This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts.

             IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.

                                 NOVAMETRIX MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC.

                                 By: /s/ William J. Lacourciere
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                    William J. Lacourciere
                                    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

                                     /s/ Thomas M. Patton
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                                  Thomas M. Patton

                                      E-62<PAGE>   1

                                                                 EXHIBIT 10(xx)

                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

        THIS AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), dated as of May 22, 2000 is made by
and between Novametrix Medical Systems Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Thomas M. Patton (the "Optionee"), an employee of the Company.

               WHEREAS, the Optionee and the Company have entered into an
employment agreement, the terms and provisions of which are hereby incorporated
herein by reference, which provides for the grant of a stock option to the
Optionee; and

               WHEREAS, the Company wishes to afford the Optionee the
opportunity to purchase 375,000 shares of the Company's common stock, $.01 par
value per share (the "Common Stock") pursuant to such stock option; and

               WHEREAS, the Company's Board of Directors has determined that it
would be to the advantage and in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders to grant to the Optionee such stock option to purchase Common Stock
as an incentive for increased efforts during the Optionee's term of office with
the Company and has advised the Company thereof and instructed it to issue such
stock option.

               NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the parties hereto hereby
agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

               "Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(d) of the
Employment Agreement.

               "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1(e) of the Employment Agreement.

               "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 1(g) of the Employment Agreement.

                                     E-63
<PAGE>   2

               "Disability" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1(h) of
the Employment Agreement.

               "Employment Agreement" shall mean the Employment Agreement dated
as of May 22, 2000 between the Optionee and the Company.

               "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

               "Grant Date" shall mean May 22, 2000.

               "Special Termination" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
1(j) of the Employment Agreement.

               "Term" shall mean the ten-year period commencing on the Grant
Date and terminating on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date.

               "Termination for Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(c) of the Employment Agreement and shall not include any termination
that constitutes a Constructive Termination Without Cause or a Special
Termination.

               "Termination without Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(d) of the Employment Agreement.

               "Vest" shall mean to become exercisable as well as to become
vested, subject to the terms of this Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                 GRANT OF OPTION

Section 2.1 -  Grant of Option

               On and as of the Grant Date, the Company irrevocably grants to
the Optionee a non-qualified stock option to purchase all or any part of 375,000
shares of Common Stock (any such shares, the "Shares") upon the terms and
conditions set forth herein (the "Option").

Section 2.2 - Exercise Price

               The exercise price shall be $6.3125 per Share without commission
or other charge.

                                     E-64
<PAGE>   3

Section 2.3 - Consideration to the Company; No Right to Employment

               In consideration of the Option grant, the Optionee agrees to
render faithful and efficient service to the Company with such duties and
responsibilities as the Company shall from time to time prescribe, all in
accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement
shall confer upon the Optionee any right to continue in the employ of the
Company or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the
Company, which rights hereby are expressly reserved, to terminate the Optionee's
employment at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause, subject
to the terms of the Employment Agreement.

Section 2.4 - Adjustments in Option

               (a)                General. In the event of a stock split, stock
dividend, combination of shares or similar event or in the event the outstanding
shares of Common Stock subject to the Option are, from time to time, changed
into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares of common stock or
other securities of the Company by reason of a merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, reclassification, or otherwise, the Board of Directors of the
Company shall make an appropriate and equitable adjustment in the number and
kind of shares or other consideration as to which the Option, or portions
thereof then unexercised, shall be exercisable and/or in the exercise price
and/or other terms and conditions of this Option (including the prices per share
of Common Stock set forth in Section 3.1 hereof), and/or shall promptly make
appropriate provision(s) for supplemental payments of cash, securities, and/or
other property, so as to avoid dilution or enlargement of the rights of the
Optionee and of the economic opportunity and value represented by the Option.
Any such adjustment made by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be final
and binding, subject, however, to the provisions of Section 15 of the Employment
Agreement which is incorporated herein by reference as provided in the Recitals
hereto and in Section 5.9 below.

               (b)                Roll-over Provisions. In the event of any
merger, consolidation or other transaction (i) in which the Company is not the
surviving entity or the Company becomes (directly or indirectly) a subsidiary of
another entity and (ii) following which the surviving entity or any entity of
which it is a subsidiary, or, if the Company survives as a subsidiary of another
entity, then such other entity or any entity of which such other entity is a
subsidiary, has publicly-traded equity securities issued and outstanding, the
Company shall take such steps as are necessary to assure that the Optionee shall
(at his election) be provided a replacement option that (x) is exercisable for
publicly-traded equity securities of the surviving entity, or of an entity of
which the Company or the surviving entity is a subsidiary, as the case may be,
and (y) provides terms, conditions and economic opportunity (including, without
limitation, an aggregate spread value) no less favorable to the Optionee than
did the Option prior to such

                                     E-65
<PAGE>   4

transaction.

               (b)                Change in Control. In the event that holders
of Common Stock receive cash, securities or other property in respect of their
Common Stock in connection with a Change in Control transaction, the Company
shall use its best efforts to enable the Optionee (if he so elects) to exercise
the Option at a time and in a fashion that will entitle him to receive in
exchange for any Common Stock thus acquired the same consideration as is
received in such Change in Control transaction by other holders of Common Stock.

                                   ARTICLE III

                            PERIOD OF EXERCISABILITY

Section 3.1 -  Vesting and Commencement of Exercisability

               Subject to the provisions of Section 3.2, the Option shall Vest
and become exercisable as follows:

               (a)                As to 150,000 shares, the Option shall Vest
and become exercisable at the rate of 20% on each of the first five
anniversaries of the Grant Date, provided that the Option shall Vest and become
immediately exercisable with respect to such 150,000 shares on the date on which
the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock for 60 trading days is
at least equal to $12 per share as reported by the principal national securities
exchange on which the Common Stock is traded.

               (b)                As to another 150,000 shares, the Option
shall Vest and become exercisable at the rate of 20% on each of the first five
anniversaries of the Grant Date, provided that the Option shall Vest and become
immediately exercisable with respect to such 150,000 shares on the date on which
the average closing price of the Company's Common Stock for 60 trading days is
at least equal to $15 per share as reported by the principal national securities
exchange on which the Common Stock is traded.

               (c)                As to another 75,000 shares, the Option shall
Vest and become exercisable on November 22, 2009, provided that the Option shall
Vest and become immediately exercisable with respect to such 75,000 shares on
the date on which the average closing price for the Company's Common Stock for
60 trading days is at least equal to $20 per share as reported by the principal
national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is traded.

                                     E-66
<PAGE>   5

Section 3.2 - Acceleration of Exercisability; Forfeiture

               (a)                To the extent not previously Vested, the
Option shall become fully Vested and exercisable upon a Change in Control. To
the extent not previously Vested, the Option shall be immediately forfeited in
the event of a termination of the Optionee's employment for any reason, all as
provided in the Employment Agreement.

               (b)                To the extent Vested on the date of the
Optionee's termination of employment, the Option shall continue to be
exercisable by the Optionee or, in the event of his death, by his estate for the
following periods (but not beyond the original ten-year term of the Option): (A)
for the balance of the stated term of the Option in the event of such
termination of employment by reason of death, Disability, termination by the
Company Without Cause, Constructive Termination Without Cause or Special
Termination or (B) until 30 days after termination of employment by the Company
for Cause or voluntary resignation by the Optionee. In the event that the
Optionee engages in Competition (within the meaning of Section 12 of the
Employment Agreement) within the one-year period immediately following the
termination of his employment with the Company for any reason, this Option shall
be immediately forfeited to the extent not previously exercised.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                               EXERCISE OF OPTION

Section 4.1 - Person Eligible to Exercise

               During the Optionee's lifetime, subject to Section 5.1 hereof,
only the Optionee may exercise the Option or any exercisable portion thereof.
Subject to the preceding sentence, after the death of the Optionee and prior to
the close of business on the Expiration Date, the Option or any exercisable
portion thereof may be exercised by the Optionee's personal representative, or
by any person empowered to do so under the Optionee's will or under the then
applicable laws of descent and distribution. The party entitled to exercise the
Option shall be referred to herein as the "Exercising Party".

Section 4.2 - Partial Exercise

               Any exercisable portion of the Option may be exercised in whole
or in part at any time prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date;
provided, however, that any exercise shall be for whole shares only.

                                     E-67
<PAGE>   6

Section 4.3 - Manner of Exercise

               (a)                 Notice in writing, signed by the Exercising
Party, shall be delivered to the Company, stating the number of Shares with
respect to which the Option is being exercised.

               (b)                 Full payment of the purchase price and
resulting tax withholding liability shall be paid to the Company, which payment
can be made in any combination of the following:

                    (i)                      Cash, wire transfer of immediately
available funds or check payable to the Company, within five business days of
exercise. This alternative can be used for either or both the purchase price and
resulting tax withholding liability.

                   (ii)                      "Exchange" of Common Stock owned
for at least six months prior to exercise with a total market value equal to or
greater than the purchase price. This alternative can also be used for either or
both the purchase price and resulting tax withholding liability.

                   (iii)                     Simultaneous exercise and sale
through brokers from time to time designated by the Company;

                   (iv)                      Tendering Shares (reducing the
number of Shares actually delivered through the exercise of the Option). This
alternative can only be used to satisfy the resulting minimum tax withholding
liability.

               (c)                 In the event the Exercising Party is not the
Optionee, appropriate proof, in the sole judgment of the Company, of the right
of such person to exercise the Option shall be delivered to the Company.

Section 4.4 - Shares to be Issued

               The Shares deliverable upon the exercise of the Option or any
portion thereof, may be either previously authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock or issued shares that have been reacquired subsequently by the
Company. When delivered to the Optionee, such shares shall be fully paid and
nonassessable.

Section 4.5 - No Rights as Stockholder

               Neither the Optionee nor any Exercising Party shall be a
stockholder of the Company or have any of the rights or privileges thereof in
respect of any shares covered by the Option unless and until certificates
representing such shares shall have been issued

                                     E-68
<PAGE>   7

by the Company to such Optionee or other Exercising Party or such shares have
been registered in the name of the Optionee or other Exercising Party on the
Company's books.

Section 4.6 - Securities Registration; Securities Law Compliance

               (a)            The Company represents that, as promptly as
practicable following the filing by the Company with the Securities and Exchange
Commission of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2000, the
Company shall effect the registration under the Securities Act of 1933 and under
applicable state securities laws of all Shares to be issued upon exercise of the
Option and shall continue such registration in effect after the Option is
exercised. Upon issuance of any Share hereunder, the Optionee shall, if
requested by the Company, make such representations and furnish such information
as may reasonably be necessary to permit the Company to issue or transfer such
Share in compliance with the provisions of applicable Federal and/or state
securities laws.

               (b)            Optionee understands and agrees that, prior to the
registration of the Shares under the Securities Act of 1933 or under applicable
state securities laws, the Company shall cause the legend set forth below or a
legend substantially equivalent thereto, to be placed upon any certificate(s)
evidencing ownership of the Shares together with any other legends that my be
required by the Company or by state or federal securities laws:

               THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER
               THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED,
               SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND
               UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR, IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL
               SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES, SUCH OFFER, SALE
               OR TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR HYPOTHECATION MAY BE EFFECTED WITHOUT SUCH
               REGISTRATION.

               (c)            Optionee agrees that, in order to ensure
compliance with the restrictions referred to herein, the Company may issue
appropriate "stop transfer" instructions to its transfer agent, if any, and
that, if the Company transfers its owns securities, it may make appropriate
notations to the same effect in its own records.

               (d)            In the event the Shares have not been registered
under the Securities Act of 1933 at the time this Option is exercised, the
Optionee shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with the exercise of
all or any portion of this Option, deliver to the Company his Investment
Representation Statement in the form

                                       E-69
<PAGE>   8

attached hereto as Exhibit I.

Section 4.7 - Deferral of Option Gains

               To the extent that such rights are provided to any other senior
executive of the Company, the Optionee shall have the right to elect to defer
any gains realized upon or in connection with the exercise of the Option.

                                    ARTICLE V

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

Section 5.1 - Transferability of Option

        This Agreement and the Optionee's rights hereunder shall be transferable
        or assignable by the Optionee (i) by will or by the laws of descent and
        distribution, (ii) during his lifetime, by gratuitous transfers to
        immediate family members or to trusts for their benefit or (iii)
        pursuant to a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (as defined under the
        Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974, as
        amended, or the rules thereunder). As provided in Section 4.1, the
        Option may be exercised only by the Optionee or his guardian or legal
        representative (including any person empowered to do so under the
        Optionee's will or under the then applicable laws of descent and
        distribution) or by a transferee to whom a transfer is made in
        accordance with the preceding sentence (a "Permitted Transferee"). For
        purposes of this Section 5, a "Permitted Transferee" shall be deemed to
        include a transferee from a Permitted Transferee under circumstances
        described in clauses (i) and (ii) above. Any Permitted Transferee shall
        have the same rights and obligations as the Optionee except that the
        rights with respect to transfers or assignments under this Section 5
        shall be limited to Permitted Transferees referred to in clauses (i)
        and (ii) above.

Section 5.2 - Shares to be Reserved

               The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option
reserve and keep available such number of shares of Common Stock as will be
sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.

Section 5.3 - Notices

               Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the
Company shall be addressed to the Company as follows: Novametrix Medical Systems
Inc., Five Technology Drive, P.O. Box 690, Wallingford, CT 06492, Attention:
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, with a copy to: Thomas M.
Haythe, Esq., Law

                                     E-70
<PAGE>   9

Offices of Thomas M. Haythe, 90 Park Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10016. Any
notice to be given to the Optionee shall be sent to the address set forth
beneath his signature to this Agreement. By a notice given pursuant to this
Section 5.3, either party may hereafter designate a different address for
notices. Any notice that is required to be given to the Optionee shall, if the
Optionee is then deceased, be given to the Optionee's personal representative if
such representative has previously informed the Company of his or her status and
address by written notice under this Section 5.3. All notices and other
communications under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when delivered personally, mailed by registered mail,
return receipt requested, or sent by documented overnight delivery service.

Section 5.4 - Titles

               Titles are provided herein for convenience of reference only and
are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this
Agreement.

Section 5.5 - Applicability of Plan, Employment Agreement

               This Agreement, the Option and any Shares issued hereunder shall
be subject to all of the terms and provisions of the Employment Agreement. In
the event of any conflict between this Agreement and the Employment Agreement,
the terms of the Employment Agreement shall control.

Section 5.6 - Amendment; Waiver

               No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified except
by an instrument or instruments in writing signed by the parties hereto. Any
party may waive compliance by another with any of the provisions of this
Agreement, provided that (a) no waiver of any provision hereof shall be
construed as a waiver of any other provision or subsequent breach and (b) any
such waiver shall be in writing signed by the party waiving such compliance. The
failure of any party hereto to enforce at any time any provision hereof shall
not be construed to be a waiver of such provision, nor in any way to affect the
validity hereof, or any part hereof, or the right of any party thereafter to
enforce each and every such provision.

Section 5.7 - Governing Law

        To the extent not governed by the laws of the United States, including
        the Code, this Agreement shall be governed by, and construed and
        enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (without
        reference to conflicts of law principles).

                                     E-71
<PAGE>   10

Section 5.8 - Jurisdiction

               Subject to Section 5.9 hereof, the Company and the Optionee
hereby irrevocably submit to the jurisdiction of any Connecticut or Delaware
state court, or any Federal court in Connecticut or Delaware in any action or
proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement, and the parties hereto
irrevocably agree that all claims in respect of such action or proceeding shall
be heard and determined only in such courts. The Company and the Optionee hereby
consent to and grant to any such court jurisdiction over the persons of such
parties and over the subject matter of any such dispute and agree that delivery
or mailing of any process or other papers in the manner provided in Section 5.3
hereof, or in such other manner as may be permitted by law, shall be valid and
sufficient service thereof.

Section 5.9 - Resolution of Disputes

               Any disputes under this Agreement shall be resolved in accordance
with Section 15 of the Employment Agreement, which shall be deemed incorporated
herein in full.

Section 5.10 - Representations

        The Company represents and warrants that (a) it is fully authorized by
        action of its Board to enter into this Agreement and to perform its
        obligations hereunder, (b) the execution, delivery and performance of
        this Agreement by the Company does not violate any applicable law,
        regulation, order, judgment or decree or any agreement, plan or
        corporate governance document of the Company, and (c) upon the execution
        and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the Optionee, this
        Agreement shall be the valid and binding obligation of the Company,
        enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                                     E-72

<PAGE>   11
               IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and
delivered by the parties hereto on the date first set forth above.

                                    NOVAMETRIX MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC.

                                    By: /s/ William J. Lacourciere
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                            William J. Lacourciere
                                            Chairman of the Board and
                                            Chief Executive Officer

AGREED AND ACCEPTED BY:

/s/ Thomas M. Patton
-------------------------------
Thomas M. Patton, Optionee

                                     E-73

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