A medical instrument manufacturer has sold a subsidiary business to a Fortune 250 company with sales of $11 billion (£7.8bn).

Bedfont Scientific, which makes breath and gas monitors, has cashed in on its NOxBOX venture in a deal with Praxair, the largest industrial gases company in North and South America.

The sales – for an undisclosed sum – comes not long after the Harrietsham-based company made NOxBOX a subsidiary, which has sold its products globally in different forms since 1997.

Bedfont managing director Trevor Smith said: “This transaction will allow our company to focus on its core business in diagnostics using exhaled breath analysis which we see as a tremendous opportunity in the future.

“This transaction will allow our company to focus on its core business in diagnostics using exhaled breath analysis which we see as a tremendous opportunity in the future..." - Trevor Smith, Bedfont Scientific

“Our NOxBOX range of products will much better be supported by Praxair, a global industrial and medical gas company.”

NOxBOX makes a range of medical devices for in-hospital use, particularly monitoring instruements for inhaled nitric oxide therapy.

It will remain in the UK under its new owner, which is among the 250 richest companies in the world by sales, and staff will stay in the business.

“We are very pleased to have acquired this comprehensive means of delivering and monitoring nitric oxide for patients in need of inhaled nitric oxide therapy,” said Scott Telesz, executive vice president of Praxair.

“The acquisition of this product line is part of our long-term strategy to further broaden our offerings to hospitals and deliver the latest in respiratory healthcare technology to our customers around the world.”

Bedfont Scientific is due to celebrate 40 years in business later this year and exports to more than 75 countries.