Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.54
                            JOINT MARKETING AGREEMENT

           This Joint Marketing Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2003 (the
"Effective Date"), is entered into between SRI / Surgical Express, Inc. ("SRI"),
a Florida corporation located at 12425 Race Track Road, Tampa, Florida 33761,
and Aesculap, Inc. ("Aesculap"), a California corporation located at 3773
Corporate Parkway, Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034 (SRI and Aesculap are
collectively, the "parties").

                                   BACKGROUND

           SRI provides hospitals with a comprehensive surgical procedure-based
delivery and retrieval service called Surgical Express. Under the Surgical
Express program, SRI delivers to its customers' operating rooms all of the
products that the customers need for surgical procedures. As part of this
service, SRI uses its facilities, personnel, and vehicles to deliver, retrieve,
and reprocess reusable surgical products, including gowns, drapes, towels,
basins, and instruments. SRI supplements its reusable products with disposable
products that its customers also need for surgical procedures, including
disposable accessory packs that are assembled by SRI's disposable products
division and delivered to the appropriate SRI facility for inclusion on the
customers' carts.

           Aesculap markets and distributes to hospitals certain equipment and
instruments for use in surgical applications. Aesculap also offers to hospitals
a service known as PCMS, pursuant to which Aesculap provides hospitals with
surgical instrument sets for use in laparoscopic, arthroscopic and general
surgical applications and provides maintenance and repair services for such
instrument sets.

           This Agreement describes terms on which Aesculap and SRI will jointly
market to customers the PCMS Services and the Instrument Express Program in the
Primary Marketing Area.

                                 OPERATIVE TERMS

           In consideration for the mutual covenants and agreements set forth in
this Agreement, the parties, intending to be legally bound, agree as follows:

1.    DEFINITIONS

           "Acquisition" has the meaning set forth in Section 15.7.

           "Aesculap Marks" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.2.

           "Aesculap Products" means those surgical instruments that are
manufactured by Aesculap or any of its Affiliates and are generally offered for
sale by Aesculap to acute and non-acute care facilities in the Territory.

           "Affiliates" means with respect to a party, any party which is
directly or indirectly owned, controlled by, under common control with, or
controlling such party.

<PAGE>

           "Audited Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b).

           "Auditing Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.4(b)

           "Completed Measurement Period" has the meaning set forth in Section
6.5.

           "Confidential Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 14.

           "Customers" means those acute and non-acute care facilities in the
Primary Marketing Area that utilize the PCMS Services or the Instrument Express
Program.

           "Customer Agreements" means Instrument Express Customer Agreements
and PCMS Customer Agreements.

           "Excluded PCMS Customer Agreement" means each of the Customer
Agreements for PCMS Services set forth on Attachment A and any Customer
Agreement for PCMS Services that are outside the Primary Marketing Area. Each
such agreement shall remain an "Excluded PCMS Customer Agreement" unless and
until (a) with respect to Customer Agreements that are within the Primary
Marketing Area, such agreement is renewed by the Customer for a period following
the expiration date indicated on Attachment A and (b) with respect to Customer
Agreements that are outside the Primary Marketing Area, the date such agreement
is renewed by the Customer after the PCMS Services are within the Primary
Marketing Area. Following the renewal of any such agreement, the agreement shall
no longer be an "Excluded PCMS Customer Agreement", but thereafter shall be
included in the definition of "PCMS Customer Agreement".

           "FDA" means the United States Food and Drug Administration and any
successor entity.

           "Gross Profit Margin" means the gross profit margin derived by
Aesculap and SRI under the Instrument Express Program, which gross profit margin
shall be determined in accordance with Attachment B.

           "Initial Term" has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

           "Instrument Express Advertising" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.5(a).

           "Instrument Express Customer Agreement" means an agreement between
SRI and a Customer to provide the Instrument Express Program to the Customer.
Instrument Express Customer Agreement shall include (a) the LAP Express Customer
Agreements and (b) any Customer Agreement for the Instrument Express Program
that is entered into by SRI after the Effective Date.

           "Instrument Express Program" means any service through which SRI or
its Affiliates deliver, retrieve, and provide off-site reprocessing of surgical
instruments or equipment.

           "Intellectual Property" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.1(c).

<PAGE>

           "Lap Express Agreement" means that certain Joint Marketing Agreement
dated April 28, 2000, between SRI and Aesculap.

           "Lap Express Customer Agreement" means a customer agreement that is
covered under a Lap Express Agreement immediately prior to the Effective Date; a
complete list of such customer agreements is set forth on Attachment C.

           "Non-Aesculap Supplied Products" means those surgical instruments
supplied by Aesculap to SRI or its Affiliates that are not manufactured by
Aesculap or one of its Affiliates.

           "Payment Statement" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

           "PCMS Advertising" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.5(b).

           "PCMS Customer Agreement" means an agreement between Aesculap and a
Customer to provide PCMS Services to the Customer within the Primary Marketing
Area. "PCMS Customer Agreement" shall include only (a) any Customer Agreement
for PCMS Services that is entered into by Aesculap after the Effective Date and
(b) any Excluded PCMS Customer Agreement that is within the Primary Marketing
Area and subsequently renewed by the Customer for a period following the
expiration date indicated on Attachment A, provided that the definition of "PCMS
Customer Agreement" shall not include any such Excluded PCMS Customer Agreement
unless and until such agreement is renewed by the Customer and provided further,
that Excluded PCMS Customer Agreements that are outside the Primary Market Area
shall not be included, until such agreement is renewed after the date the PCMS
Services are within the Primary Marketing Area.

           "PCMS Percentage" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2.

           "PCMS Percentage Adjustment" has the meaning set forth in Section
6.2.

           "PCMS Profit Margin" means the profit margin derived by Aesculap on
account of PCMS Services, which profit margin shall be determined in accordance
with Attachment D.

           "PCMS Profits" means the profits derived by Aesculap on account of
PCMS Services, which profits shall be determined in accordance with Attachment
D.

           "PCMS Services" means programs provided by or through Aesculap within
the Primary Marketing Area, under which a Customer is provided procedure
specific instrument sets for use in, and only in, laparoscopic, arthroscopic,
and general surgical applications and certain related repair and maintenance
services, and for which payment is made by the Customer on a per procedure
basis. PCMS Services does not include, without limitation, (a) the sale or lease
of surgical instruments, containers, and electronic equipment by Aesculap, (b)
single use surgical instruments, (c) surgical instrument sets used in connection
with surgical implants (d), and per procedure programs which are entered into as
a purchase option for Aesculap Products.

           "Percentage Adjustment" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.5.

<PAGE>

           "Pricing/Procedure Guidelines" means the pricing schedule for the
Instrument Express Program attached as Attachment B, which guidelines may be
adjusted from time to time by the Steering Committee.

           "Primary Marketing Area" means any geographic area in the United
States of America and its respective territories and possessions that is within
a two hundred fifty (250) mile radius of any SRI reprocessing facility and with
respect to the PCMS Services, shall also require that SRI has an active sales
territory covering the area that the Customer utilizing the PCMS Services is
located in.

           "Recall" has the meaning set forth in Section 12.3.

           "Renewal Term" has the meaning set forth in Section 13.1.

           "SRI Marks" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

           "Steering Committee" has the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

           "Surgical Express Products and Services" means the products and
services provided by or through SRI as part of the Instrument Express Program.

           "Surgical CaseCart" means a package that contains certain products
required for a surgical procedure, including instruments provided by Aesculap
and other surgical products provided by SRI.

           "Term" means the Initial Term and any Renewal Term.

           "Territory" means the United States of America and its territories
and possessions.

2.   PROGRAM OBLIGATIONS

     2.1.  Instrument Express Program.

           (a) SRI's Obligations. SRI shall have the following obligations in
connection with the performance of the Instrument Express Program:

               (1) Surgical CaseCarts. SRI shall provide Customers with Surgical
CaseCarts in accordance with the Instrument Express Customer Agreements as
follows:

                   (a) Delivery and Retrieval. SRI shall deliver the Surgical
     CaseCart to the Customers and retrieve the used reusable surgical products
     for reprocessing and sterilization.

                   (b) Reprocessing. SRI shall reprocess the reusable products
     that are included in the Surgical CaseCart. SRI is responsible for
     sterilization and cleaning of instruments. SRI will validate the cleaning
     and sterilization protocol.

<PAGE>

                   (c) Order Processing. SRI shall provide the staff necessary
     to accept orders from potential Customers.

               (2) Exclusivity. Aesculap shall be the sole supplier of all
surgical instruments used in connection with any Instrument Express Program. SRI
and its Subsidiaries shall not offer or provide to any Customer surgical
instruments that have not been supplied to SRI by Aesculap pursuant to this
Agreement. SRI may use surgical instruments supplied by another supplier if
Aesculap notifies SRI that it cannot supply comparable instrument.

           (b) Aesculap's Obligations. Aesculap shall have the following
obligations in connection with the performance of the Surgical Express Program:

               (1) Instruments. Aesculap shall use commercially reasonable
efforts to provide all of SRI's requirements for instruments under the
Instrument Express Customer Agreements and shall promptly notify SRI if it is
unable to do so.

               (2) Repair Service. Aesculap shall provide an instrument repair
service for Aesculap Products and Non-Aesculap Supplied Products that includes
an arrangement to furnish SRI with a supply of replacement instruments for use
by Customers while Aesculap processes repairs. An SRI representative shall
inspect the instruments supplied by Aesculap and shall deliver any such
instruments that may be in need of repair to Aesculap's repair center in St.
Louis. Aesculap will provide all repairs promptly and in a workmanlike manner.
All repairs shall be performed at Aesculap's expense unless the need for such
repair was caused by SRI, its Affiliates or their respective representatives.
From time to time, based on the mutual agreement of the parties, Aesculap shall,
at its expense, provide replacement Aesculap Products and Non-Aesculap Supplied
Products and components of such products required for field repairs at SRI's
facilities or to maintain inventory levels required under the Surgical Express
Customer Agreements and future Instrument Express agreements

               (3) Reprocessing Protocol. Aesculap shall provide SRI with the
cleaning, sterilization, and validation protocol for the Aesculap Products and
the Non-Aesculap Supplied Products, and shall also provide, when requested by
SRI, reasonable training and technical support to SRI with respect to
reprocessing of those products.

               (4) Non-Aesculap Supplied Products. To the extent Customers
either specifically request surgical instruments other than Aesculap Products or
request surgical instruments that are not available from Aesculap, Aesculap will
use commercially reasonable efforts to supply such surgical instruments for
inclusion in the Instrument Express Program . SRI may use surgical instruments
supplied by another supplier if Aesculap notifies SRI that it cannot supply a
comparable instrument.

               (5) Exclusivity. During the Term, Aesculap shall not anywhere in
the Primary Marketing Area offer Aesculap Products in connection with a program
similar to the Instrument Express Program or the PCMS Services, except through
its arrangements with SRI under this Agreement.

<PAGE>

     2.2.  PCMS Services.

           (a) Aesculap's Obligations. Aesculap shall provide Customers surgical
instruments and other standard PCMS Services in accordance with the PCMS
Customer Agreement for the PCMS Services, including the maintenance, repair, and
replacement of surgical instruments.

           (b) SRI's Obligations. At the request of Aesculap, SRI shall be
responsible for the inspection on a routine basis and, to the extent necessary,
the coordination with Aesculap of the repair and or replacement of surgical
instrument sets provided to Customers under the PCMS Services in accordance with
the PCMS Customer Agreements, for those Customers solicited by SRI under the
Agreement.

3.   MARKETING

     3.1.  Joint Marketing Efforts. The parties shall use commercially
reasonable efforts to market the Instrument Express Program and PCMS Services to
their customers and prospects in accordance with the marketing plan described on
Attachment F, as modified from time to time by mutual agreement of the the
parties (the "Marketing Plan"). Each party shall advise the other party of all
leads, inquiries, and other prospects for the sale or other disposition of the
Instrument Express Program and PCMS Services. Each of Aesculap and SRI will make
available its personnel to provide sales, technical, clinical, and sales
operations support, and to otherwise assist the other party with the sales
process, all in accordance with the Marketing Plan. Unless otherwise agreed to
by the Steering Committee, SRI shall market the Instrument Express and PCMS
Program only within the Primary Marketing Area.

     3.2.  SRI Marketing License. Aesculap grants to SRI a non-exclusive, non-
transferable, royalty-free, fully paid-up right and license, during the Term and
the applicable wind down period, if any, to market, advertise and promote (a)
Aesculap Products in connection with the marketing, sale or other distribution
of the Instrument Express Program and (b) PCMS Services. SRI shall not take any
action that could impair or otherwise diminish the reputation of Aesculap,
Aesculap Products or the PCMS Services.

     3.3.  Aesculap Marketing License. SRI grants to Aesculap a non-exclusive,
non-transferable, royalty-free, fully paid-up right and license, during the Term
and the applicable wind down period, to market, advertise and promote Instrument
Express Products and Services in connection with the marketing, sale or other
distribution of the Instrument Express Program. Aesculap shall not take any
action that could impair or otherwise diminish the reputation of SRI or Surgical
Express Products and Services.

     3.4.  Marketing Expenditures. Unless the parties otherwise agree in
writing, each party shall pay and be solely responsible for its respective
marketing expenditures incurred in connection with the promotion of the
Instrument Express Program and PCMS Services, including the payment of sales
bonuses and commissions associated with the Customer Agreements and the revenue
provided under them.

<PAGE>

     3.5.  Advertising.

           (a) Instrument Express Program. Neither party shall publish or use
any sales, marketing or promotional literature relating to the Instrument
Express Program ("Instrument Express Advertising") without the Steering
Committee's written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed. Once approved, Instrument Express Advertising may be repeated without
additional approval of the Steering Committee, unless the Steering Committee
revokes its approval upon a minimum of five (5) business days' advance written
notice. The parties acknowledge and agree that all current Surgical Express
Advertising is acceptable to both parties. If the Steering Committee is unable
to agree upon any new Instrument Express Advertising, such Instrument Express
Advertising shall not be used in connection with the marketing or sale of the
Instrument Express Program. Neither Aesculap nor SRI shall make any warranties
or representations with respect to the other party's products or services,
except as expressly approved in writing by the other party.

           (b) PCMS Services. SRI shall not publish or use any sales, marketing
or promotional literature relating to PCMS Services ("PCMS Advertising") without
Aesculap's written consent. Once approved, PCMS Advertising may be repeated by
SRI without additional approval of Aesculap, unless Aesculap revokes its
approval upon a minimum of five (5) business days' advance written notice. SRI
shall make no warranties or representations with respect to PCMS Services,
except as expressly approved in writing by Aesculap.

     3.6.  Promotional Materials. Each party shall furnish to the other party,
free of charge, reasonable quantities of promotional materials pertaining to the
first party's products and services under this Agreement.

4.   CUSTOMER CONTRACTS

     4.1.  Customer Agreements.

           (a) Instrument Express Program. SRI shall enter into all contracts
with Customers with respect to the Instrument Express Program. Unless otherwise
agreed by the parties, Aesculap shall not be a party to any Customer Agreement
for the provision of Instrument Express Products and Services. The parties will
cooperate to develop standard forms of Customer Agreements to use in selling
Instrument Express Program, which will describe the products and services to be
provided, delivery and payment arrangements, and other terms and conditions. SRI
may enter into Customer Agreements for the Instrument Express Program without
approval by Aesculap, unless the Customer Agreement materially differs from the
form agreement attached hereto as Attachment G. In addition, unless otherwise
agreed by Aesculap, SRI shall not enter into any agreement for the Instrument
Express Program that does not contain pricing terms that are within the
parameters set forth in the Pricing/Procedure Guidelines or are otherwise
acceptable to SRI and Aesculap. If SRI and Aesculap are not able to agree on the
pricing terms for an Instrument Express Customer Agreement, the matter shall be
referred to the Steering Committee for resolution.

           (b) PCMS Services. Aesculap shall enter into all contracts with
Customers with respect to PCMS Services. Unless otherwise agreed by the parties,
SRI shall not be a party

<PAGE>

to any Customer Agreement for the provision of PCMS Services. Aesculap will
establish the pricing for PCMS Services based upon Aesculap's pricing guidelines
in effect from time to time.

5.   BILLING AND COLLECTION

     5.1.  Instrument Express Program. SRI shall provide all billing and
collection services associated with the Instrument Express Program. SRI will
bill Customers for all lost or damaged Aesculap Products or Non Aesculap
Supplied Products under the Instrument Express Program that are lost or suffer
damage because of the Customers' misuse or neglect (but not because of ordinary
wear and tear). If SRI decides not to bill a Customer for lost or damaged
products, then SRI will pay to Aesculap an amount equal to Aesculap's cost to
replace such products.

     5.2.  PCMS Services. Aesculap shall provide all billing and collection
services associated with PCMS Services.

6.   SHARING ARRANGEMENT

     6.1.  Instrument Express Program Revenue.

           (a) Within sixty (60) days after each month during the Term, SRI
shall pay to Aesculap an amount for the Instrument Express Programs provided
under Instrument Express Customer Agreements (other than Lap Express Customer
Agreements) based upon the prices established pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof,
during the prior month, less any sales or excise taxes that SRI bills, collects,
and pays to taxing authorities.

           (b) Within sixty (60) days after each month during the Term, SRI
shall pay to Aesculap an amount based upon Schedule 6.1(b) for the Surgical
Express Programs provided under any Lap Express Customer Agreements, during the
prior month, less any sales or excise taxes that SRI bills, collects, and pays
to taxing authorities.

           (c) At the time of each payment under Section 6.1(a), SRI shall
provide Aesculap with a detailed, complete and accurate written statement
specifying those items upon which SRI bases its calculations of payment,
including a listing by Customer of the revenue and procedure counts for the
subject month (a "Payment Statement").

     6.2.  PCMS Services.

           (a) Within sixty(60) days after each month during the Term, Aesculap
shall pay to SRI an amount equal to thirty percent (30%) (the "PCMS Percentage")
of the PCMS Profits realized by Aesculap with respect to PCMS Customer
Agreements during the prior month.

           (b) At the time of each payment under Section 6.2(a), Aesculap shall
provide SRI with a Payment Statement with respect to the items on which Aesculap
bases its calculations of payment.

<PAGE>

     6.3.  Late Charges. Any amounts not paid when due under this Agreement
shall accrue interest from the due date until paid in full at a rate equal to
one percent (1%) per month or part thereof (or the maximum amount permitted by
applicable law, if less).

     6.4.  Record Keeping and Audit.

           (a) Each of SRI and Aesculap shall maintain complete and accurate
accounting books and records in such detail, form and scope as is consistent
with good business practice to support and document all of such party's Payment
Statements and any amounts payable by it to the other party under this Section
6.

           (b) Each party shall have the right to review and audit the books and
records of the other party for the purpose of verifying the accrual and payment
of any amounts payable under this Agreement. If either party desires to exercise
any such audit right, then such party (the "Auditing Party") shall furnish the
other party (the "Audited Party") with ten (10) business days' prior written
notice thereof. The Auditing Party shall advise in writing the Audited Party of
the results of the audit. If the Auditing Party determines that it has been
underpaid, then the parties shall negotiate in good faith to determine whether
or not additional payment is appropriate. If the parties are unable to agree as
to whether or not additional payment is appropriate within thirty (30) days
after the Auditing Party has advised the Audited Party of the results of the
audit, then the parties shall submit the matter to arbitration in accordance
with the provisions of Section 15.4. Each party shall be limited to one (1)
audit per calendar year during the Term, and to one (1) additional audit at any
time within the two (2) year period following the expiration or earlier
termination of the Term (or following any wind-down period described in Section
13.3).

     6.5.  Adjustment Procedures.

           (a) Instrument Express Program. In the event that the Gross Profit
Margin derived by Aesculap is less than thirty-eight percent (38%), or the Gross
Profit Margin derived by SRI is less than twenty-eight percent (28%), for any
calendar year throughout the Term, the party that has experienced the Gross
Profit Margin shortfall shall have the right, upon written notice to the other
party within sixty (60) days following the end of such calendar year (the
"Completed Measurement Period"), to cause the other party to enter into good
faith discussions and negotiations regarding a fair and equitable adjustment to
Pricing/Procedure Guideline for the new or renewed Instrument Express Program (a
"Percentage Adjustment") for the calendar year immediately following such
Completed Measurement Period. No Percentage Adjustment shall be effective and
binding upon the parties hereto unless the Percentage Adjustment has been agreed
to in writing by both SRI and Aesculap; provided, however, if SRI and Aesculap
are unable to agree upon a fair and equitable Percentage Adjustment within
forty-five (45) days following the commencement of discussions and negotiations
with respect thereto, at the written request of either party, the parties shall
submit the matter to binding arbitration to determine a fair and equitable
Percentage Adjustment, if any, and the resulting Gross Profit Margin that each
party would derive after such Percentage Adjustment. The arbitration shall be
conducted by a panel of three (3) arbitrators having sufficient industry
experience and qualifications and reasonably satisfactory to both SRI and
Aesculap. The arbitrators shall have the right to conduct such investigation of
the respective books and records of each of Aesculap (on a non-

<PAGE>

consolidated basis, not including the financial information of any Affiliates of
Aesculap) and SRI in connection with its determination of the Percentage
Adjustment. The determination by the arbitrators shall be based upon such
factors that the arbitrator deems relevant in connection therewith including,
without limitation, (a) the parties intended for Aesculap to derive a Gross
Profit Margin of not less than forty-five (45%) (on a non-consolidated basis)
and SRI to derive a Gross Profit Margin of not less than thirty-five percent
(35%) for the Instrument Express Products and Services, (b) the Gross Profit
Margin of the parties prior to any request for a Percentage Adjustment
hereunder, (c) the change, if any, in the market in the Territory for the
Instrument Express Program, and (d) any changes in circumstances that have
resulted in the Percentage Adjustment request hereunder, including whether those
changes were temporary or long-term. If SRI and Aesculap are unable to agree
upon mutually satisfactory arbitrators to resolve their disagreement regarding a
fair and equitable Percentage Adjustment, such arbitrator shall be selected
pursuant to and in accordance with the procedures established by the American
Arbitration Association. Any agreement between SRI and Aesculap with respect to
a Percentage Adjustment hereto, whether by mutual agreement or in accordance
with the arbitration procedures established hereby, shall be set forth in an
addendum to this Agreement, which shall be reasonably satisfactory to SRI and
Aesculap If the Arbitrators determine that after any proposed Percentage
Adjustment, the Gross Profit Margin derived by Aesculap would be less than
thirty percent (30%), or the Gross Profit Margin derived by SRI would be less
than twenty percent (20%), then the party experiencing the shortfall shall have
the right for a period of sixty (60) days after the final determination of the
Arbitrator to provide the other party with written notice of the termination of
the Agreement. The termination shall be effective one (1) year from the date of
such notice to the other party.

           (b)  PCMS Services. In the event that the PCMS Profit Margin derived
by Aesculap is less than forty percent (40%) for any calendar year throughout
the Term, Aesculap shall have the right, upon written notice to SRI within sixty
(60) days following the end a Completed Measurement Period to cause SRI to enter
into good faith discussions and negotiations regarding a a fair and equitable
adjustment to the PCMS Percentage (a "PCMS Percentage Adjustment") for the
calendar year immediately following such Completed Measurement Period. No PCMS
Percentage Adjustment shall be effective and binding upon the parties hereto
unless the PCMS Percentage Adjustment has been agreed to in writing by both SRI
and Aesculap; provided, however, if SRI and Aesculap are unable to agree upon a
fair and equitable PCMS Percentage Adjustment within forty-five (45) days
following the commencement of discussions and negotiations with respect thereto,
at the written request of either party, the parties shall submit the matter to
binding arbitration to determine a fair and equitable PCMS Percentage
Adjustment, if any, and the resulting PCMS Profit Margin that Aesculap would
derive after such PCMS Percentage Adjustment. The arbitration shall be conducted
by a panel of three (3) arbitrators having sufficient industry experience and
qualifications and reasonably satisfactory to both SRI and Aesculap. The
arbitrators shall be have the right to conduct such investigation of the
respective books and records of each of Aesculap (on a non-consolidated basis,
not including the financial information of any Affiliates of Aesculap) and SRI
in connection with its determination of the PCMS Percentage Adjustment. The
determination by the arbitrators shall be based upon such factors that the
arbitrator deems relevant in connection therewith including, without limitation,
(a) the parties intended for Aesculap to derive a PCMS Profit Margin of not less
than forty percent (40%) for the PCMS Services, (b) the PCMS Profit Margin of
Aesculap prior to any request for a Percentage

<PAGE>

Adjustment hereunder, (c) the change, if any, in the market for PCMS Services
and (d) any changes in circumstances that have resulted in the PCMS Percentage
Adjustment request hereunder including whether those changes were temporary or
long-term. If SRI and Aesculap are unable to agree upon mutually satisfactory
arbitrators to resolve their disagreement regarding a fair and equitable PCMS
Percentage Adjustment, such arbitrators shall be selected pursuant to and in
accordance with the procedures established by the American Arbitration
Association. Any agreement between SRI and Aesculap with respect to a PCMS
Percentage Adjustment hereto, whether by mutual agreement or in accordance with
the arbitration procedures established hereby, shall be set forth in an addendum
to this Agreement, which shall be reasonably satisfactory to SRI and Aesculap.
If the Arbitrators determine that the PCMS Profit Margin derived by Aesculap
from the sale of the PCMS Services in the Territory is less than 30%, Aesculap
shall have the right for a period of sixty (60) days after the final
determination of the Arbitrator to provide SRI with written notice of the
termination of the Agreement. The termination shall be effective one (1) year
from the date of such notice to SRI.

7.   STEERING COMMITTEE

     7.1.  Purpose. SRI and Aesculap shall form a committee that shall be
responsible for making certain decisions regarding the Instrument Express
Program and PCMS Services, including certain decisions regarding pricing and
sales and marketing (the "Steering Committee").

     7.2.  Composition. The Steering Committee shall consist of four (4)
members. Each party shall have the right to appoint two representatives to the
Steering Committee. The representatives of SRI initially shall be Charles Pope
and Mike Lufkin. The representatives of Aesculap initially shall be Dirk Kuyper
and David Swanson. Either party may replace its representatives on the Steering
Committee at any time upon written notice to the other party.

     7.3.  Meetings. The Steering Committee shall meet, in person or by
teleconference, at least once per calendar quarter throughout the Term.

     7.4.  Action. Any actions of the Steering Committee, including the approval
of any action to be taken by any party, shall only be effective if in writing
and signed by at least one representative of SRI and one representative of
Aesculap.

     7.5.  Pricing.

           (a) The Steering Committee shall approve any necessary changes or
additions to the Pricing/Procedure Guidelines as a result of the addition of new
products or procedures or changes to existing products or procedures.

           (b) If SRI and Aesculap refer an Instrument Express Customer
Agreement to the Steering Committee because the parties are not able to agree on
the pricing terms for such Customer Agreement, then the Steering Committee shall
be responsible for setting the pricing terms for such Agreement.

           (c) Aesculap shall consult with the Steering Committee with respect
to changes to the pricing for PCMS Services.

<PAGE>

     7.6.  Sales and Marketing. The Steering Committee shall annually review the
sales and marketing efforts of the parties to confirm that the activities of SRI
and Aesculap are consistent with the expectations set forth in the Marketing
Plan.

     7.7.  Advertising. The Steering Committee shall review all Surgical Express
Advertising that either SRI or Aesculap proposes to use and shall determine
whether to approve such advertising, such approval not to be unreasonably
withheld.

     7.8.  Arbitration. Any action upon which the Steering Committee is unable
to agree may be submitted to arbitration by either SRI or Aesculap in accordance
with the provisions of Section 15.4 of this Agreement.

8.   ON-SITE MANAGEMENT SERVICES

     8.1.  General. From time to time throughout the Term, either party may
provide the other party with the opportunity to jointly provide on-site
management services to acute and non-acute care facilities in the Territory. The
failure of a party to provide the other party with an opportunity to provide
on-site management services or failure of the parties to agree upon the terms
and conditions of any on-site management services shall not constitute a breach
of this Agreement.

     8.2.  Sharing Arrangement. In the event that the parties determine to
jointly provide on-site management services to an acute or non-acute care
facility, the parties shall determine at such time the terms and conditions
pursuant to which the revenues or gross profits associated with such services
shall be shares between the parties.

9.   TRADEMARKS

     9.1.  SRI Trademarks. To the extent reasonably required for Aesculap to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, SRI grants to Aesculap a
nonexclusive, nontransferable, nonassignable license during the Term and the
applicable wind down period, if any to use SRI's logos, copyrights, tradenames,
servicemarks and trademarks (the "SRI Marks"). Aesculap shall use the SRI Marks
only in the form and manner specified or approved by SRI in writing. Aesculap
shall not alter, modify, dilute, or otherwise misuse the SRI Marks, and will do
nothing inconsistent with SRI's ownership of the SRI Marks. Nothing in this
Agreement conveys to Aesculap any right, title or interest in or to any SRI
Mark, other than an express right to permissively use such marks solely for
purposes of Aesculap's performance of its obligations under this Agreement.
Aesculap shall submit to SRI all materials and documentation that it compiles
that incorporate all or part of the SRI Marks, including any and all Instrument
Express Advertising, for review and approval in accordance with the procedures
set forth in Section 3.5. When reasonably requested by SRI, Aesculap shall
provide SRI with copies of materials and documentation compiled by Aesculap that
incorporate all or part of the SRI Marks for the purpose of monitoring
Aesculap's compliance with the terms of this Agreement. Aesculap shall not use
the SRI Marks in any manner that, directly or indirectly, detracts from their
value and reputation.

     9.2.  Aesculap Trademarks. To the extent reasonably required for SRI to
perform its obligations under this Agreement, Aesculap grants to SRI a
nonexclusive, nontransferable,

<PAGE>

nonassignable license during the Term and the applicable wind down period, if
any to use Aesculap's logos, copyrights, tradenames, servicemarks and trademarks
(the "Aesculap Marks"). SRI shall not alter, modify, dilute, or otherwise misuse
the Aesculap Marks, and will do nothing inconsistent with Aesculap's ownership
of the Aesculap Marks. Nothing contained in this Agreement conveys to SRI any
right, title or interest in or to any Aesculap Mark other than an express right
to permissively use such marks solely for purposes of SRI's performance of its
obligations under this Agreement. SRI shall submit to Aesculap all materials and
documentation that it compiles that incorporate all or part of the Aesculap
Marks, including any and all Instrument Express Advertising and PCMS
Advertising, for review and approval in accordance with the procedures set forth
in Section 3.5. When reasonably requested by Aesculap, SRI shall provide
Aesculap with copies of materials and documentation compiled by SRI that
incorporate all or part of Aesculap Marks for the purpose of monitoring SRI's
compliance with this Agreement. SRI shall not to use Aesculap Marks in any
manner that, directly or indirectly, detracts from their value and reputation.

     9.3.  Ownership. The logos, copyrights, tradenames, servicemarks and
trademarks related to (i) Aesculap Products and PCMS Services are and will
remain the sole property of Aesculap and (ii) Surgical Express Products and
Services are and will remain the sole property of SRI. SRI owns all rights to,
and may pursue a trademark for, the name "Instrument Express."

     9.4.  Rights on Termination/Expiration. On termination or expiration of
this Agreement and the wind down period contemplated in Section 13.3, each party
shall not further use the logos, copyrights, tradenames, servicemarks and
trademarks of the other party for any purpose, or employ or use any logo,
copyright, tradename, servicemark or trademark that suggests an existing
relationship between the parties, or that is likely to cause confusion with the
logos, copyrights, tradenames, servicemarks or trademarks of the other party.

10.  WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATION.

     The parties will be providing products and services that constitute
separate components of the Instrument Express Program or the PCMS Services Each
party desires to clearly identify its warranty responsibilities for its products
and services and to indemnify the other party for liabilities that arise from
its products' use by the Customers or from its services. These covenants are
intended solely for the benefit of the other party. Nothing in this section
expands a party's warranty or indemnity responsibility to the Customers or any
other person not a party to this Agreement.

     10.1. SRI Warranties. SRI warrants and represents to Aesculap as of the
date of this Agreement and for the Term of this Agreement as follows:

           (a) SRI has full authority to enter into this Agreement and carry out
its obligations under this Agreement. SRI's performance of its obligations under
this Agreement will not materially violate any contractual arrangement or other
legal obligation of SRI.

           (b) SRI has the legally enforceable right to use all technology to be
used by SRI in connection with the products and services to be supplied by SRI
pursuant to this

<PAGE>

Agreement, whether patented or unpatented, and the use of such technology does
not materially violate any agreement, instrument or understanding, oral or
written, to which it is a party.

           (c) SRI is the sole and exclusive owner of the products to be
supplied by SRI pursuant to this Agreement. To the best of SRI's knowledge, the
products and services to be supplied by SRI under this Agreement do not
incorporate or infringe upon any copyright, patent, trademark, service mark,
trade name, idea, process, know-how, development, invention, technology, or any
other form of intellectual property (collectively "Intellectual Property") that
SRI does not own or license.

           (d) SRI's products delivered to the Customers pursuant to this
Agreement will, at the time of delivery to Customers, conform to, and perform in
accordance with, the specifications for such products and be free from defects
in material and workmanship.

           (e) SRI's products delivered to Customers pursuant to this Agreement
will be manufactured in compliance in all material respects with applicable
local, state and federal laws and regulations, including without limitation
those of the FDA, and have all applicable 510(k) and other approvals.

           (f) SRI's services to be provided under this Agreement will be
performed with the standards of care, skill, and diligence normally provided by
professionals or experts in the performance of such services or similar services
and in a lawful manner and in compliance in all material respects with
applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations including without
limitation those of the FDA.

           (g) SRI's conduct will preserve, protect, enhance, and maintain the
trade, business, and goodwill of the other party and not be inimical or in any
way contrary to the best interests of Aesculap.

           (h) SRI's warranties and representations under this Agreement do not
apply to any nonconformity or defect caused by (1) the operation of any product
by any person or entity other than SRI in excess of its rated or specified
limits or capabilities; (2) misuse, abuse or negligent operation of any product
by any person or entity other than SRI; or (3) unauthorized product modification
by any person or entity other than SRI.

     10.2. Aesculap's Warranties. Aesculap warrants and represents to SRI as of
the date of this Agreement and for the Term of this Agreement as follows:

           (a) Aesculap has full authority to enter into this Agreement and
carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Aesculap's performance of its
obligations under this Agreement will not materially violate any contractual
arrangement or other legal obligation of Aesculap.

           (b) Aesculap has the legally enforceable right to use all technology
to be used by Aesculap in connection with the Aesculap Products and the services
to be supplied by Aesculap pursuant to this Agreement, whether patented or
unpatented, and the use of such technology does not materially violate any
agreement, instrument or understanding, oral or written, to which it is a party.

<PAGE>

           (c) Aesculap is the sole and exclusive owner of the Aesculap Products
to be supplied by Aesculap pursuant to this Agreement. To the best of Aesculap's
knowledge, the Aesculap Products and the services to be provided by Aesculap
pursuant to this Agreement do not incorporate or infringe upon any Intellectual
Property that it does not own or license.

           (d) Aesculap Products delivered to the Customers pursuant to this
Agreement will, at the time of delivery, conform to and perform in accordance
with specifications for such products, and be free from defects in material and
workmanship.

           (e) Aesculap extends to SRI the benefit of and will service the
warranties received from suppliers of the Non-Aesculap Supplied Products, which
will include at a minimum a warranty that those products will, at the time of
delivery to SRI pursuant to this Agreement, conform to and perform in accordance
with their specifications, and be free from defects in material and workmanship.

           (f) Aesculap Products delivered to the Customers pursuant to this
Agreement will be manufactured in compliance in all material respects with
applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations, including without
limitation those of the FDA, and have all applicable 510(k) and other approvals.

           (g) Aesculap's services to be provided under this Agreement will be
performed with the standards of care, skill, and diligence normally provided by
professionals or experts in the performance of such services or similar services
and in a lawful manner and in compliance with applicable federal, state and
local laws and regulations including without limitation those of the FDA.

           (h) Aesculap's conduct will preserve, protect, enhance, and maintain
the trade, business, and goodwill of the other party and not be inimical or in
any way contrary to the best interests of SRI.

           (i) Aesculap's warranties and representations under this Agreement do
not apply to any nonconformity or defect caused by (1) operation of any product
by any person or entity other than Aesculap in excess of its rated or specified
limits or capabilities; (2) misuse, abuse or negligent operation of any product
by any person or entity other than Aesculap; or (3) unauthorized product
modification by any person or entity other than Aesculap.

     10.3. The warranties of the parties set forth above address current and
future performance and apply for as long as the applicable products are in use.
EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED HEREIN, NEITHER PARTY MAKES ANY WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED WITH RESPECT TO ANY PRODUCTS OR SERVICES HEREUNDER.
Each party will promptly notify the other party of any of its violations of the
foregoing warranties of which it has knowledge or which are asserted by a
Customer or a third party with respect to the Instrument Express Program or the
PCMS Services.

     10.4. Indemnification.

           (a) Generally. Each party shall indemnify the other party, its
Affiliates, and its successors and permitted assigns, and any of its officers,
directors, employees,

<PAGE>

representatives, and/or agents, and hold them harmless from all costs, loss,
claims, damage, expense, liabilities, and judgments (including premiums for
bonds, reasonable fees for experts and investigators, and all reasonable legal
fees, costs, and expenses) incurred by the other party as a result of a third
party claim arising out of or relating to (i) a breach of warranty, (ii) failure
to comply with this Agreement, (iii) willful misconduct, or (iv) negligent acts
or omissions of the indemnifying party.

           (b) Infringement Indemnification.

               (1) In the event that any aspect of the products or services
supplied by SRI under this Agreement become the subject of an Intellectual
Property infringement claim, action, or proceeding, SRI shall, at its expense
and SRI's option, (i) obtain a license that would permit Aesculap and all
affected Customers to exercise those rights granted to them under this Agreement
or under Customer Agreements, as the case may be, (ii) modify the allegedly
infringing products or services to render them non-infringing, (iii) replace the
allegedly infringing products or services with non-infringing products or
services or (iv) cease offering such products or services under this Agreement.
In addition, the claimed Intellectual Property infringement will be a claim
subject to indemnification under subsection (a) above.

               (2) In the event that any aspect of the Aesculap Products or the
services supplied by Aesculap under this Agreement become the subject of an
Intellectual Property infringement claim, action, or proceeding, Aesculap shall,
at its expense and Aesculap's option, (i) obtain a license that would permit the
other party and all affected Customers to exercise those rights granted to them
under this Agreement or under Customer Agreements, as the case may be, (ii)
modify the allegedly infringing products or services to render them
non-infringing, (iii) replace the allegedly infringing products or services with
non-infringing products or services or (iv) cease offering such products or
services under this Agreement In addition, the claimed Intellectual Property
infringement will be a claim subject to indemnification under subsection (a)
above.

           (c) Product Liability and Other Damage Indemnity. The claims subject
to indemnity under subsection (a) will include (i) a defect or alleged defect in
the products and services provided by the indemnifying party under a Customer
Agreement and covered by the above indemnity, including without limitation
defects relating to manufacturing, improper testing, design, quality of service,
or any breach of warranty regarding the products and services or any component
of them, (ii) misrepresentations made by the indemnifying party in connection
with the promotion, marketing, sale, distribution, use, safety, or efficacy of
the products and services, (iii) the content of any labeling, inserts,
instruction manuals, or Advertising supplied or compiled by the indemnifying
party, or (iv) any Recall taken with respect to an indemnifying party's products
and services.

     10.5. Liability Limitation. Neither party will be responsible for loss of
or damage to the other party's products following delivery to the Customer.
ABSENT A WILLFUL OR INTENTIONAL BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT OR A THIRD PARTY
INDEMNIFICATION OBLIGATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 10.4, NEITHER PARTY SHALL BE
LIABLE TO THE OTHER FOR INCIDENTIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL

<PAGE>

OR INDIRECT DAMAGES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, LOST BUSINESS, PROFITS OR
DAMAGES ARISING FROM LOSS OF GOODWILL.

11.     INSURANCE

              Commencing with the Effective Date and until the expiration of the
most remote statute of limitations for any claim that might arise under this
Agreement, each party shall maintain at its own expense comprehensive general
liability insurance for bodily injury, death and/or property damage (including
coverages for product liability, completed operations, contractual liability and
personal injury liability) in the amount of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000) for
any damages resulting from its acts or omissions, or its employees or agents
under this Agreement. In addition, each party shall maintain during this same
period Workers' Compensation insurance in the amount of One Million Dollars
($1,000,000) or such other amount(s) that are required by law, whichever is
greater, together with automobile liability insurance with minimum coverages of
$350,000 general liability and $350,000 property damage. Each party shall
furnish to the other party certificates evidencing these policies on execution
of this Agreement and arrange for the other party to receive thirty (30) days'
prior notice of any termination or cancellation of any of these policies.

12.     REGULATORY MATTERS

        12.1. Regulatory Compliance. Each party shall take all necessary action
to comply with applicable FDA and other federal, state and local requirements in
connection with the manufacture, sale, distribution and provision of its
products and its furnishing of services under this Agreement. These obligations
include without limitation compliance with the applicable sections of the
Quality System Regulation (21 C.F.R. Part 820). Each party shall possess a
Quality Assurance System that adheres to applicable laws, rules, and
regulations, including without limitation the practices and regulations of the
FDA (including without limitation the applicable sections of the current Quality
System Regulations as expressed in 21 C.F.R. Part 820 and Pre-Market
Notification Procedures of 21 C.F.R. Part 807, Subpart E).

        12.2. Notification of Defects. Each party shall promptly notify the
other party via telecopy and in writing should it become aware, through a
Customer complaint or otherwise, of any defect or condition which may render all
or any component part of the Surgical or Instrument Express Program or PCMS
Services in violation of a law or regulation.

        12.3. Recalls and Field Corrective Actions. In the event that any defect
in any products provided under the Instrument Express Program or the products
provided in connection with the PCMS Services or any regulatory or government
action requires that all or part of the Instrument Express Pack be recalled,
destroyed, withheld from the market, or subjected to field corrective action (a
"Recall"), the party that was the proximate cause of such Recall shall
immediately notify the other party and bear the responsibility of the Recall and
shall reimburse the other party for any actual costs incurred by such party in
connection with such Recall. The other party shall reasonably assist such party
in carrying out the Recall at the originating party's request, cost, and
expense.

<PAGE>

        12.4. Complaints. Each party shall forward complaints regarding the
Instrument Express Program and the PCMS Services to the other party. The party
originating pertinent product shall conduct a complete and documented
investigation and shall resolve such complaints in accordance with the
requirements for complaint handling as promulgated by the FDA in the then
current published Quality System Requirements (21 C.F.R. Part 820) or any other
applicable law, rule, or regulation. Each party will make reasonable efforts to
assure that its complaint investigations are performed and completed promptly
within ninety (90) days from its receipt of the complaint, and to the extent
that a party will not complete its investigation within that time period, the
party shall furnish a written explanation of the delay to the other party. If as
a result of an investigation a change in any products provided under the
Instrument Express Program or PCMS Services is necessary, the responsible party
shall perform, document, and validate the change and provide the information to
the other party at no charge. Each party shall notify the other party
immediately of any claims that it receives of defects in its products or
services that constitute part of the Instrument Express Program or the PCMS
Services. If party is presented with a possible Medical Device Report ("MDR")
event involving the provision of or failure to provide a component of a Surgical
or Instrument Express Program or a product in connection with the PCMS Services,
the party originating the applicable product shall bear the responsibility for
evaluation and, if necessary, submission of all information required under the
applicable MDR Regulation, as set forth in 21 C.F.R. Part 803. Prior any such
submission, the responsible party shall to the extent possible provide the other
party with a complete copy of the MDR and any other information to be submitted
by responsible party to the FDA, for the other party's review and approval.

        12.5. Audits. Each party will have the right (at its own expense) to
perform a commercially reasonable audit of the other party's compliance with
applicable FDA rules and regulations (including without limitation the
applicable sections of the then-current published Quality System Requirements
(21 C.F.R. Part 820) and MDR Regulations (21 C.F.R. Part 803)) and any other
applicable laws, rules, and/or regulations with respect to a Instrument Express
Program and associated services and the PCMS Services during normal business
hours, with reasonable prior notice to the applicable party and subject to
Article 14 (Confidentiality). At a minimum, (i) the party's facility being
audited must be operational during the audit, (ii) the auditing party must
receive access to the batch history records of audited party's products and
services used in the Instrument Express Program and the PCMS Services, to the
extent applicable, and (iii) the auditing party must be permitted to conduct
audits of the other party which comply with the applicable sections of the
then-current published Quality System Requirements (21 C.F.R. Part 820) and any
other applicable laws, rules, and regulations. The parties shall cooperate with
each other to arrange such visits at mutually convenient times. In addition, a
party's personnel may periodically travel to the other party's facilities to
observe testing and validation activities, receive information with respect
thereto (subject to Section 14 --Confidentiality), and ensure that products and
services are being tested in accordance with established practices.

13.     TERM AND TERMINATION.

        13.1. Term. This Agreement shall be effective for an initial term of ten
(10) years (the "Initial Term") or until earlier terminated by a party in
accordance with this section, provided that all rights and obligations accrued
by the expiration or termination date will survive the

<PAGE>

expiration or termination of this Agreement. At the expiration of the Initial
Term, this Agreement shall automatically be renewed for an additional five (5)
year term (the "Renewal Term") unless, at least one (1) year prior to the
expiration of the Initial Term, either party provides written notice to the
other party that such party desires that the Agreement terminate upon the
expiration of the Initial Term.

        13.2. Termination.

              (a) By Either Party. This Agreement may be terminated by a party
immediately on notice if:

                  (1) The other party fails to make payments when due to the
terminating party within thirty (30) days after written notice or neglects or
fails to perform or observe any of its other material obligations under this
Agreement, unless the condition is remedied within thirty (30) days after
written notice has been given to the party.

                  (2) The other party breaches in a material respect a warranty
or representation under this Agreement unless the breach is remedied within
thirty (30) days after written notice has been given to the breaching party.

                  (3) The other party makes an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or a petition under the Bankruptcy Code is filed by or against the
other party (if an involuntary petition, the petition is not dismissed within
sixty (60) days after it is filed) or a receiver is appointed for the business
of the other party.

                  (4) The other party ceases doing business as a going concern
or attempts to transfer or assign this Agreement in a manner that is not
permitted herein.

        13.3. Effect of Termination. Upon termination or expiration, no party
shall have any further responsibilities or obligations to the other party,
except for obligations under Sections 1, 9 through 15 of this Agreement,
payments owed to the other party prior to the termination of this Agreement, and
the parties' continuing obligations to each other during any wind down period
described below. Upon termination or expiration of this Agreement for any
reason, (a) SRI shall not be entitled to any PCMS Profits realized after the
termination of this Agreement, (b) subject to subparagraph (c) below, Aesculap
shall not be entitled to any revenues received by SRI from any Instrument
Express Customer Agreements entered into after the termination of this Agreement
, and SRI shall fulfill the terms and obligations of current individual
Instrument Express Customer Agreements through the applicable termination date
on the terms set forth in this Agreement, after which time the Aesculap Products
and the Non-Aesculap Supplied Products will be returned to Aesculap. SRI shall
continue to remit payments to Aesculap in accordance with Section 6.1 and the
parties shall continue to perform their respective obligations under the
Agreement until the expiration of the last to expire of the individual Customer
Agreements.

14.     CONFIDENTIALITY.

              During the term of this Agreement, the parties might furnish or
make available to the other party proprietary or confidential information
pertaining to their products, services,

<PAGE>

customers, technology, and business operations that is designated by name,
trademark, or other appropriate text to be proprietary or confidential in nature
("Restricted Information"). All Restricted Information furnished or made
available to the other party during the term of this agreement, however and
whenever acquired, will remain the property of the party furnishing the
information. Each party shall treat this information as strictly confidential,
shall use it solely for the purposes contemplated by this Agreement, and shall
not reveal, divulge, disclose, or duplicate any Restricted Information without
the other party's written consent, except for the party's and its affiliates
employees who need to know the information for purposes of carrying out the
purposes of this Agreement (the "Permitted Parties"). However, the party
receiving the Restricted Information shall direct the Permitted Parties who have
access to the Restricted Information to treat it as strictly confidential, and
shall indemnify the other party and hold it harmless from, any damage resulting
from a breach of confidentiality caused by any of the Permitted Parties. The
restrictions set forth in this Section 14 shall not apply to any information
that (i) the receiving party proves was derived from information in the public
domain, (ii) becomes a part of the public domain through no fault of the
receiving party, (iii) the receiving party proves was in it possession prior to
the disclosure of the information by the disclosing party, (iv) the receiving
party acquires the information outside of the relationship between the parties
to this Agreement from a third party that is under no obligation of confidence
to a disclosing party; or (v) is proven to be independently developed by a
receiving party. Each party shall return to the other party at the expiration of
this Agreement (and the applicable wind down period) all Restricted Information
that it received from the other party. Each party's specifications for its
products and services are its exclusive property.

15.      MISCELLANEOUS.

         15.1. Relationship of the Parties. Neither party to this Agreement is
an agent, partner, or legal representative of the other for any purpose, and
neither party is authorized to assume or create, in writing or otherwise, an
obligation of any kind in the name or on behalf of the other party. This
Agreement is not to be construed to create a financial interest in the other
party's business or to constitute a partnership or joint venture between the
parties. This Agreement is for the benefit of its parties only, and no third
party is a beneficiary of it.

         15.2. Execution. The parties may execute this agreement in
counterparts. Each executed counterpart to this agreement will constitute an
original document, and all executed counterparts, together, will constitute the
same agreement.

         15.3. Legal. The validity, interpretation, construction and enforcement
of this Agreement are governed by the laws of the State of Florida, excluding
the laws of that State pertaining to the resolution of conflicts with laws of
other jurisdictions.

         15.4. Arbitration. If any dispute between the parties arises under this
Agreement, the parties shall use reasonable efforts to settle the dispute for at
least 30 days. After that period, either party may submit the dispute may be
submitted for arbitration, and the arbitration will be conducted before an
arbitration panel in accordance with the Florida Arbitration Code. The
arbitrator panel will consist of three arbitrators, who shall be selected by
agreement of the parties, or failing agreement on the selection, they shall be
selected in the manner determined by the American Florida Arbitration
Association. Every arbitrator must be independent (not an

<PAGE>

officer, director, employee, affiliate, or shareholder of party) without any
economic or financial interest of any kind in the outcome of the arbitration or
in Aesculap, SRI, or any of their affiliates. The arbitration hearing will be
held on such dates and at such times and place in Tampa Bay, Florida as the
arbitration panel designates on 30 calendar days' advance notice to the parties.
The decision of the arbitration panel will be binding and conclusive as to
Aesculap and SRI, and on the pleading of any party, any court having
jurisdiction may enter a judgment of any award rendered in arbitration, which
may include an award of damages.

         15.5. Force Majeure. Neither party will be responsible for any delay,
failure, or omission due to any cause that is beyond its reasonable control, is
not due to its own negligence, and cannot be overcome with the exercise of
commercially reasonable efforts, including, without limitation, war, riots,
fires, floods, storms, lightning, epidemics, earthquakes, hostilities, labor
disturbances, expropriation or confiscation of properties, interference by civil
or military authorities, or acts of God.

         15.6. Notices. Except for oral requests and notices expressly
authorized by this agreement, every notice, request, demand, consent, approval,
and other communication required or permitted under this agreement will be valid
only if it is given in writing (or sent by telecopy and promptly confirmed in
writing), conspicuously marked "FOR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION," and addressed by the
sender to the appropriate party at the address provided in the first paragraph
of this Agreement and to the person's attention set forth below:

               (a) If to Aesculap:

                   Aesculap, Inc.
                   3773 Corporate Parkway
                   Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034
                   ATTENTION:  Dirk Kuyper, Chief Operating Officer

               (b) If to SRI:

                   SRI / Surgical Express, Inc.
                   12425 Race Track Road
                   Tampa, FL  33626
                   ATTENTION: Charles Pope, Chief Financial Officer

or to such other address as a party designates by notice to the other party. A
validly given notice, request, demand, consent, approval, or other communication
will be effective on its receipt.

         15.7. Assignment; Subcontracting. Neither this Agreement nor the
duties, rights and obligations hereunder are assignable by either party, without
the other party's consent, which it may withhold at its sole discretion, and any
unapproved assignment will be invalid and ineffective against the other party,
except that either party may assign this Agreement to its Affiliates without the
consent of the other party provided that the Affiliate executes an agreement
agreeing to be bound by the terms, conditions and obligations under this
Agreement. and SRI or Aesculap, as the case may be, remain obligated to perform
the duties and obligations under this Agreement subsequent to any such
assignment. . A party shall be deemed to have assigned this

<PAGE>

Agreement in the event of (i) any transaction, including a stock sale, merger,
combination, recapitalization or reorganization, in which the holders of such
party's capital stock immediately prior to the transaction own, immediately
after the transaction, less than fifty percent (50%) of the voting securities of
the party or other entity surviving the transaction or (ii) the sale by such
party of all or substantially all of its assets or substantially all of the
assets relating to the PCMS Services or the Instrument Express Program, as the
case may be (collectively, an "Acquisition"). Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in this Section 15.7, a party may assign this Agreement in connection
with an Acquisition provided that the acquiring party (the "Acquiring Party")
executes an agreement agreeing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and
provided further that such entity has the financial wherewithal to perform the
obligations under this Agreement which in determining the same shall require,
among other things that the financial condition of the acquiror immediately
prior to such Acquisition is no less favorable than the financial condition of
the party being acquired. Upon the occurrence of an Acquisition, if the
acquiring party is a competitor of the party not being acquired, either party (
a "Competitive Acquisition"), shall have the right for a period of ninety (90)
days following the consummation of the Competitive Acquisition, to terminate
this Agreement upon two (2) years prior written notice to the other party.
Following the completion of an Acquisition, the obligations contained in
Sections 2.1(a)(2) and 2.1(b)(5), as the case may be, shall not be deemed to, or
construed in any manner to, restrict or apply to the Acquiring Party; provided
that the Acquiring Party shall not be entitled to use any of the assets or
resources of the acquired party to (i) engage in activities that are precluded
or prohibited under such Sections or (ii) offer or provide to third parties in
the Territory off site reprocessing of surgical instruments. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the provisions of Section 2.1(a)(2) and 2.1(b)(5) shall remain in
full force and effect for and with respect to the acquired party and its
subsidiaries and any affiliates of such party that existed prior to the date of
the Acquisition. . Neither party may subcontract any of its responsibilities
under this Agreement to another person without the other party's prior approval.

         15.8.  Successors and Assigns. This Agreement is binding on and inures
to the benefit of, the respective assignees and the successors of each party,
and all references to a party in this Agreement includes its permitted assignees
or successors.

         15.9.  Waiver. A delay, omission or course of dealing on the part of a
party in exercising any right, power or remedy under this Agreement will not
operate as a waiver of it and a single or partial exercise of any right, waiver
or remedy under this Agreement does not preclude any further exercise of it or
the exercise of any other right, power or remedy. A waiver, amendment, or
modification of this Agreement would be valid and effective only if it is in
writing and signed by both parties.

         15.10. Entire Agreement; Lap Express Agreement. This Agreement and the
Attachments hereto record the final, complete and exclusive understanding of the
parties to it with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
(except for implied warranties arising under Florida's Uniform Commercial Code)
and supersede any prior or contemporaneous agreement, understanding or
representation, oral or written, by either of them. The Lap Express Agreement is
hereby terminated and after the Effective Date of this Agreement, the parties
shall not enter into any further Customer Agreements under the Lap Express
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, the parties hereby agree that all of
the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement including, the
representations and warranties, indemnifications

<PAGE>

provisions and covenants, shall govern the respective rights, duties and
obligations of the parties as it relates to the products and services provided
by SRI and Aesculap under the Lap Express Agreement as if all such products and
services were originally provided under this Agreement.

         15.11. Effectiveness. This Agreement will be effective as of March 1,
2003, when executed by the parties.

                            [Signature Page Follows]

<PAGE>

                            Attachments and Schedules

Attachments and Schedule                             Description

         A                          Excluded Customer Agreements for PCMS
                                    Services (with expiration dates)

         B                          Gross Profit Margin Calculations

         C                          Existing Lap Express Customer Agreements

         D                          PCMS Profit Margin and PCMS Profits
                                    Calculations

         E                          Pricing Procedure Guidelines

         F                          Marketing Plan

         G                          Form of Customer Agreement

Schedule 6.1(b)                     Amounts Payable for Lap Express Customer
                                    Agreements

<PAGE>

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement on the date
first indicated above.

                                         SRI  / SURGICAL EXPRESS, INC.

                                         By:      /s/ Joseph A. Largey
                                             -------------------------
                                         Name:     Joseph A. Largey
                                               ---------------------------------
                                         Title:      Chief Executive Officer
                                                --------------------------------

                                         AESCULAP, INC.

                                         By:      /s/ Dirk Kuyper
                                             -----------------------------------
                                         Name:       Dirk Kuyper
                                               ---------------------------------
                                         Title:       Chief Operating Officer
                                                --------------------------------Q1 2003 10Q Exhibit 10.1

The symbol [***] is used to indicate that a portion of the exhibit has been omitted
and filed seperately with the commission.  Confidential
treatment has been requested with respect to the ommitted portion.

EXHIBIT 10.1

 

 

Cepheid

                  904 Caribbean Drive

                  Sunnyvale, CA 94089

February 21, 2003

 

	
Infectio Diagnostic (I.D.I.) Inc.

   Attn.: Chief Executive Officer

   2050 Rene Levesque Blvd. West

   Ste-Foy, Quebec

   Canada G1V 2K8

Re:  Letter Agreement

Gentlemen:

[***].  [***].  While the parties are concluding their negotiations of the
new Collaboration Agreement, IDI wishes to appoint Cepheid and Cepheid wishes to
accept such appointment to serve as IDI's distributor for a period of [***] for
a Group B Strep Assay ("the Product") for use in the [***] market.
This letter agreement sets forth the terms pursuant to which IDI is making this
appointment. The term of this letter agreement shall be from the date it is
entered into until [***] after the launch date of the Product or June 1, 2003
whichever is earlier (the "Launch Date"). If the actual launch date of
the Product falls on or before the 15th day of the month the Launch
Date will be deemed to be the first day of that month; if the actual launch date
falls after the 15th of the month, the Launch Date will be the first
day of the next succeeding month.

Cepheid shall be IDI's exclusive distributor in the United States of the
Product for a period of [***] years from the Launch Date.    IDI will sell the
Product kits to Cepheid at the following pricing: for the first month following
the Launch Date the transfer price will be a price that is [***]below IDI's
[***] (US Dollars) list price per test for the product; for each month
thereafter the transfer price will be [***] below Cepheid's actual average sales
price per test (in US Dollars) to end users during the preceding month.  Cepheid
will be free to set the resale price for the product in its complete discretion.
If Cepheid's actual average sales price during any month is below [***], per
test the transfer price Cepheid will pay for the Product kits will be [***]
below [***] per test for such month. Following the first six months after the
Launch Date, if Cepheid's actual average sales (in US Dollars) is below [***]
per test, the parties shall confer within ten business days following such month
to determine whether there should be an adjustment in transfer price between the
parties. In no event will any such price adjustment be to a price that is lower
than [***] below [***] per test. 

There will be no minimum sales volume requirement for Cepheid in the first
year of this agreement; however, Cepheid will use commercially reasonable
efforts to maximize market penetration and sales.  For the second year following
the Launch Date, both parties will agree on a minimum sales volume by no later
than twenty days following the end of the fourth quarter following the Launch
Date.  If the parties are not able to agree on the minimum volume for the second
year, the minimum will be established as [***] of the actual sales during the
first full year following the Launch Date.   

Cepheid may maintain exclusive distribution rights following the second
anniversary of the Launch Date if it reaches the minimum volume levels agreed
upon.  Thereafter, the minimum volume for the third and fourth year following
the Launch Date would be determined in the same way as the minimum volume for
the second year following the Launch Date, except that if the parties are not
able to agree on the minimum volume for the third year, the minimum will be
established as [***] of the actual sales for the second year following the
Launch Date, and if the parties are not able to agree on the minimum volume for
the fourth year, the minimum will be established as [***] of the actual sales
for the third year  following the Launch Date.  If Cepheid does not reach the
yearly minimum volume target for the second year (or any subsequent years if
exclusivity is maintained), its distribution rights will become
nonexclusive.

The launch date for the Product targeted to be March 31, 2003, by which time
IDI and Cepheid will have obtained all necessary licenses and other regulatory
approvals, the parties will have agreed on marketing plans, and all marketing
and collateral materials will have been completed. IDI and Cepheid marketing
departments will develop and implement a launch plan as soon as possible which
plan will be completed by March 10, 2003.

The launch of the Product will be for use with the Smart Cycler V1
instrument; the software for launching will be the combined diagnostic and life
science software versions if possible. If the life science software has not been
validated prior to the Launch Date it will be included as soon as thereafter as
possible.  

Cepheid will sell [***] instruments for the period following launch of the
Product until the Product has been [***] as described in the preceding
paragraph. Cepheid will bear the cost associated with upgrading those
instruments to [***] in the United States up to [**] instruments. Thereafter,
Cepheid and IDI will share equally the cost associated with [***] in the United
States. [***].  IDI will be Cepheid's authorized distributor for
such instruments in Canada, and Cepheid will sell such instruments to IDI at
Cepheid's US list price minus [***]. IDI will bear the cost associated with
upgrading those instruments to Smart Cycler V2 in Canada. 

Subject to prior consultation with Cepheid as to the approach to be taken,
IDI, being accountable for the regulatory approvals, will be solely responsible
for the final decisions related to the regulatory status of the Product and its
evolutions.

Subject to prior consultation with IDI, Cepheid will be responsible for
producing product literature and other promotional materials illustrating and
describing the Product, in reasonable quantities, for the U.S. market. 

In exchange for the distribution rights granted by IDI, Cepheid has already
provided upgrades to six Smart Cycler I TM instruments to convert them to
Smart Cycler II TM instruments.  In addition, Cepheid will provide upgrades
for an additional six Smart Cycler I instruments upon IDI's request.

This letter agreement shall be subject to the laws of the Province of
Ontario, Canada, without regard to its conflict of laws rules.

The Board of Directors of Aridia shall ratify this letter agreement. The
parties intend that the subject matter of this letter agreement will be
integrated into the new Collaboration Agreement and subject to the terms and
conditions thereof.
Sincerely,

John Bishop

CEO

Cepheid

The above terms are agreed to:

	
Infectio Diagnostic (I.D.I.) Inc.

	

 

By: 

	
 

Name: 

	

Title: 

	

Date Signed: 

The symbol [***] is used to indicate that a portion of the exhibit has been omitted
and filed seperately with the commission.  Confidential
treatment has been requested with respect to the ommitted portion.

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00051-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00051-of-00352.parquet"}]]