Document:

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                                                                  EXHIBIT 10(zz)

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                  AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of September 1, 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 Philip F. Nuzzo (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:

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                        (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;

                        (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

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which materially impair the Executive's ability to function as the Vice
President -- Product and Business Development of the Company;

                       (iii) a change in the reporting structure of the Company
so that the Executive no longer reports directly to the President of the
Company; or

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

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

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

                  (l) "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.

         2. Term of Employment.

                The Term of Employment shall begin on the Effective Date, and
shall extend until December 31, 2001, with automatic one-year extensions
thereafter unless either Party notifies the other at least 120 days before the
scheduled expiration date that

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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 9.

         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 Vice
President -- Product and Business Development 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 President 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
biweekly installments, subject to applicable withholdings, of $137,500. 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 25% 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.

         6. 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.

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         7. 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.

             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 $600 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.

         8. Reimbursement of Business Expenses.

             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, fulfilling
continuing professional education requirements and participating in professional
accounting meetings and seminars, subject to his submission of reasonable
supporting documentation in accordance with the Company's policies.

         9. 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:

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                 (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 7;

                 (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 22 below.

                 (c) Termination by the Company for Cause.

                     (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 in
accordance with their terms.

             (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;

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             (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 in accordance with
their terms; 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) 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, shall have the same consequences as
provided in Section 9(c)(ii) for a Termination for Cause. A voluntary
termination under this Section 9(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.

         (f) Consequences of a Change in Control.

             (i) Upon Executive's termination of employment pursuant to Section
9(d) following a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to the
benefits provided in Section 9(d) above as well as to the benefits provided in
Section 9(f)(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.

         (g) 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.

         (h) No Mitigation; No Offset. In the event of any termination of
employment under this Section 9, the Executive shall be under no obligation to
seek other employment and there shall be no offset against amounts due the
Executive under this

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Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent
employment that he may obtain.

             (i) Nature of Payments. Any amounts due under this Section 9 are in
the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the Company and
are not in the nature of a penalty.

       10. 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.

             (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

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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 10(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.

       11. 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) or (y) 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,

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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.

       12. Provisions Necessary and Reasonable.

             (a) The Executive agrees that (i) the provisions of Sections 10 and
11 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 12 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 10 and 11 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.

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          (c) If any of the covenants contained in Sections 10 and 11 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.

     13. Resolution of Disputes.

          Subject to the provisions of Section 12, 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.

     14. 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

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to the commencement of any proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by
the Executive under Section 14(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 years thereafter, to the extent the Company provides such
coverage for its other executive officers.

     15. 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.

     16. 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.

     17. 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.

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     18. 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.

     19. 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 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.

     20. 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.

     21. 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.

     22. 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

                                      E-35
<PAGE>   14
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:       Philip F. Nuzzo
                           716 Paddock Avenue
                           Meriden, CT  06450

     23. 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.

     24. Counterparts.

          This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.

                                      E-36
<PAGE>   15
          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/ Philip F. Nuzzo
                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Philip F. Nuzzo

                                      E-37<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10(aaa)

                               SECOND AMENDMENT TO
                    1999 AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT

First Union National Bank
300 Main Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06904
(Hereinafter referred to as the "Bank")

Novametrix Medical Systems Inc.
5 Technology Drive, P.O. Box 690
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492
("Novametrix")

NTC Technology, Inc.
c/o Novametrix Medical Systems Inc.
5 Technology Drive, P.O. Box 690
Wallingford, Connecticut 06492
("NTC")

Children's Medical Ventures, Inc.
275 Longwater Drive
Norwell, Massachusetts 02061
("CMV"; Novametrix, NTC and CMV being,
individually and collectively "Borrower")

This Second Amendment to 1999 Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the
"Amendment") is entered into as of March 30, 2001, by and between Borrower, each
of which are corporations organized under the laws of Delaware, and Bank. The
Amendment amends that certain 1999 Amended and Restated Loan Agreement, entered
into as of June 30, 1999, as amended by the First Amendment to 1999 Amended and
Restated Loan Agreement by and between Bank and Borrower entered into as of
April 28, 2000 (said agreement being hereinafter referred to as the
"Agreement").

                                    RECITALS

Bank is the holder of, inter alia: (i) a certain 1999 Substitute Promissory Note
made by Borrower and payable to the order of the Bank, dated as of June 30, 1999
(the "Line of Credit Note"), as amended by that certain Allonge No. 1 to 1999
Substitute Promissory Note by and between the Borrower and Bank, dated as of
April 28, 2000 (the "First Allonge"), and as further amended by that certain
Allonge No. 2 to 1999 Substitute Promissory Note by and between Borrower and
Bank and dated as of even date herewith (the "Second Allonge"), in the maximum
principal amount of up to $10,000,000.00, as amended (the Line of Credit Note as
amended by each of the First Allonge and the Second Allonge is hereinafter
referred to as the "Line of Credit Note, as amended"); (ii) a

                                      E-38
<PAGE>   2
certain 1999 Term Promissory Note in the original principal amount of
$4,800,000.00, dated as of June 30, 1999, from the Borrower to the Bank
(hereinafter referred to as the "1999 Term Note"); (iii) a certain 1998 Term
Promissory Note executed and delivered by Novametrix and NTC, dated December 11,
1998, in the original principal amount of $3,000,000.00, as modified by Allonge
No. 1 to 1998 Term Promissory Note, dated as of June 30, 1999, executed by
Novametrix, NTC and the Bank (as modified, hereinafter referred to as the "1998
Term Note") (the Line of Credit Note, as amended, the 1999 Term Note and the
1998 Term Note are sometimes collectively referred to hereinafter as the
"Notes"); and certain other Loan Documents, including the Agreement; and

Borrower and Bank have agreed to modify the terms of the Agreement by, inter
alia, replacing certain provisions contained therein with those contained in
this Agreement, as more particularly hereinafter set forth.

                                    AGREEMENT

In consideration of Bank's continued extension of credit and the agreements
contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

This Amendment amends the Agreement.

This Amendment applies to the Loan and all Loan Documents.

This Amendment and the Loans contemplated and covered herein are subject to that
certain Intercreditor Agreement by and between the Bank and Webster Bank, a
Connecticut banking association with a place of business at 80 Elm Street, New
Haven, CT 06510 ("Webster") dated as of June 30, 1999, as amended by that
certain First Amendment to Intercreditor Agreement dated as of April 28, 2000,
and as further amended by that certain Second Amendment to Intercreditor
Agreement dated as of even date herewith. The parties acknowledge and agree that
Borrower has previously entered into a Loan Agreement and related loan documents
(the "Webster Loan Documents"), including executing and delivering to Webster a
certain Term Promissory Note in the original principal amount of $4,800,000.00,
dated as of June 30, 1999 (the "Webster Note").

Relying upon the covenants, agreements, representations and warranties contained
in this Amendment and in the Agreement, Bank is willing to modify the terms on
which it will extend credit to Borrower as set forth in the Agreement, as more
particularly set forth herein, and Bank and Borrower agree as follows:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF BALANCE. Borrower acknowledges that the most recent Commercial
Loan Invoice sent to Borrower with respect to the Obligations under the Notes is
correct.

LINE OF CREDIT NOTE. All references in the Loan Documents to the Line of Credit
Note shall be understood to mean the Line of Credit Note as amended by the First

                                      E-39
<PAGE>   3
Allonge and as further amended by the Second Allonge, in the maximum principal
amount of up to $10,000,000.00.

LOAN AGREEMENT. All references in the Loan Documents to the Agreement shall be
understood to mean the Agreement, as amended by this Amendment.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower acknowledges and represents that
the Agreement and other Loan Documents, as amended hereby, and the Webster Loan
Documents, are in full force and effect without any defense, counterclaim, right
or claim of set-off; that, after giving effect to this Amendment, no default or
event that with the passage of time or giving of notice would constitute a
default under the Loan Documents or the Webster Loan Documents has occurred, all
representations and warranties contained in the Loan Documents and in the
Webster Loan Documents are true and correct as of this date, all necessary
action to authorize the execution and delivery of this Amendment has been taken;
and this Amendment is a modification of an existing obligation and is not a
novation.

COLLATERAL. Borrower acknowledges and confirms that there have been no changes
in the ownership of any collateral pledged to secure the Obligations (the
"Collateral") since the Collateral was originally pledged; Borrower acknowledges
and confirms that the Bank has, subject only to the Intercreditor Agreement,
existing, valid first priority security interests and liens in the Collateral;
and that such security interests and liens shall secure Borrower's Obligations
to Bank, including any modification of any of the Notes or Loan Agreement, if
any, and all future modifications, extensions, renewals and/or replacements of
the Loan Documents

Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, in applying the law of any jurisdiction
that at any time enacts all or substantially all of the uniform provisions of
Revised Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code (1999 Official Text), the
Collateral described in the 1999 Amended and Restated Security Agreement by the
Borrower and in favor of the Bank and dated as of June 30, 1999, is intended to
cover all of the assets described therein, regardless of how such assets may be
defined or categorized under the uniform provisions of the Revised Article 9.
Borrower hereby authorizes the Bank, at any time and from time to time, to file
financing and continuation statements and amendments thereto reflecting the
same.

CONDITIONS PRECEDENT. In addition to the Conditions Precedent identified in the
Agreement, the obligations of Bank to make any advances pursuant to the Loan
Documents or this Amendment (including, without limitation, under the Line of
Credit Note) are subject to the following conditions precedent: ADDITIONAL
DOCUMENTS. Receipt by Bank of such additional supporting documents as Bank or
its counsel may reasonably request. PAYMENT OF COMMITMENT FEE. Borrower shall
have paid to the Bank a one time commitment fee of $2,500 for the amendments to
the Loan as contemplated herein (including, without limitation, to the Line of
Credit Note, as amended). CONSENT AND AMENDMENT. The Borrower shall have
obtained the consent of Webster Bank to the modifications to the Loan and the
Loan Documents contemplated hereby and Webster Bank's agreement to the inclusion
of the increased amount under the

                                      E-40
<PAGE>   4
Line of Credit Note, as amended as a Loan (and not an Other Loan, as each of
these terms is defined in the Intercreditor Agreement) for purposes of the
Intercreditor Agreement; Webster Bank shall have executed an amendment to the
Intercreditor Agreement reflecting the foregoing. CERTIFICATE OF GOOD STANDING.
Bank shall have received from Borrower a certificate from the Secretary of State
of the state of Borrower's incorporation or organization, as applicable, as to
the good standing of Borrower. CERTIFICATE OF INCUMBENCY AND AUTHORIZATION. Bank
shall have received from Borrower a certificate of an appropriate officer of
Borrower as to the incumbency and signatures of the officers of Borrower
executing the Loan Documents and as to the adoption of resolutions authorizing
the amendments to the Loan Documents including, without limitation, the increase
to the amount of the Line of Credit Note, as amended. OPINION OF COUNSEL. Bank
shall have received a written opinion of the counsel of Borrower acceptable to
Bank that includes confirmation of the following: (a) The Borrower is duly
organized and validly existing under the laws of the jurisdictions where
Borrower is organized and has full power and authority to undertake the
activities contemplated by the Loan; There have been no changes, since April 28,
2000, to the Charter Documents or Operating Agreements of Borrower. (b) The Loan
Documents, as modified by documents executed in connection with this Amendment,
create a perfected lien on and security interest in the Collateral (as defined
in the Loan Documents). (c) The accuracy, as of the date hereof, of the
representations set forth in the Agreement in the Representations Subparagraphs
entitled "Authorization; Non-Contravention"; "Compliance with Laws" as to the
transaction contemplated by this Amendment and the documents pertaining thereto;
and "Organization and Authority." (d) This Amendment and other Loan Documents
executed in connection herewith have been duly executed and delivered by
Borrower and constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower,
enforceable in accordance with their terms. (e) No registration with, consent
of, approval of, or other action by, any federal, state or other governmental
authority or regulatory body to the execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the borrowing under this Agreement or other Loan Documents, is required by law,
or, if so required, such registration has been made, and consent or approval
given or such other appropriate action taken. (f) The Loan and its terms do not
violate any laws including, without limitation, any usury laws of the
jurisdictions where Borrower and any Collateral are located; such other matters
and opinions as the Bank reasonably requests.

JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS. The obligations of the Borrower hereunder and
under the Loan Documents shall be joint and several.

MISCELLANEOUS. This Amendment shall be construed in accordance with and governed
by the laws of the State of Connecticut without reference to conflicts of laws
principles. This Amendment and the other Loan Documents constitute the sole
agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter thereof and
supersede all oral negotiations and prior writings with respect to the subject
matter thereof. No amendment of this Amendment, no other amendment to the
Agreement, and no waiver of any one or more of the provisions hereof or thereof
shall be effective unless set forth in writing and signed by the parties hereto.
The illegality, unenforceability or inconsistency of any provision of this
Amendment shall not in any way affect or impair the legality, enforceability or
consistency of the remaining provisions of this Amendment, the

                                      E-41
<PAGE>   5
Agreement, as modified hereby, or the other Loan Documents. The Agreement, as
modified by this Amendment, and the other Loan Documents are intended to be
consistent. However, in the event of any inconsistencies among the Agreement, as
modified by this Amendment, and any of the Loan Documents, the terms of the
Notes, and then the Agreement, as modified by this Amendment, shall control.
This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the
different parties on separate counterparts. Each such counterpart shall be
deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and
the same agreement. The terms "Loan Documents" and "Obligations" shall have the
meanings of such terms as defined in the Agreement. Additional terms used in
this Amendment which are capitalized and not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Loan Documents. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the term "Loan Documents" does not include any swap
agreements (as defined in 11 U.S.C. Section 101); the term "Obligations" shall
include, without limitation, all obligations under any swap agreements as
defined in 11 U.S.C. Section 101 between Borrower and Bank whenever executed.

CONNECTICUT PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WAIVER. EACH BORROWER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THE
TRANSACTIONS REPRESENTED BY THIS AMENDMENT ARE COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS AND
HEREBY VOLUNTARILY AND KNOWINGLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS TO NOTICE OF AND HEARING ON
PREJUDGMENT REMEDIES UNDER CHAPTER 903a OF THE CONNECTICUT GENERAL STATUTES OR
OTHER STATUTES AFFECTING PREJUDGMENT REMEDIES, AND AUTHORIZES THE BANK'S
ATTORNEY TO ISSUE A WRIT FOR A PREJUDGMENT REMEDY WITHOUT COURT ORDER, PROVIDED
THE COMPLAINT SHALL SET FORTH A COPY OF THIS WAIVER.

WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. THE PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE IRREVOCABLY WAIVED
ANY RIGHT THEY MAY HAVE TO JURY TRIAL WITH REGARD TO A DISPUTE.

PLACE OF EXECUTION AND DELIVERY. Borrower hereby certifies that this Agreement
and the Loan Documents were executed in the State of Connecticut and State of
New York and delivered to Bank in the State of Connecticut.

                      [THE NEXT PAGE IS THE SIGNATURE PAGE]

                                      E-42
<PAGE>   6
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Bank, on the day and year first written above,
have caused this Agreement to be executed.

                                BORROWER:

                                NOVAMETRIX MEDICAL
                                SYSTEMS INC.

                                By:  /s/ Thomas M. Patton
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                    Name:    Thomas M. Patton
                                    Title:   President

                                NTC TECHNOLOGY, INC.

                                By:  /s/ Thomas M. Haythe
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                    Name:    Thomas M. Haythe
                                    Title:   President

                                CHILDREN'S MEDICAL VENTURES, INC.

                                By:  /s/ Joseph A. Vincent
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                    Name:    Joseph A. Vincent
                                    Title:   Vice President

                                BANK:

                                FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                By:  /s/ John H. Frost
                                   ---------------------------------------------
                                    Name:    John H. Frost
                                    Title:   Vice President

                                      E-43

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