Summary Box: Covidien makes biggest splash in spate of dealmaking with $2.6B purchase of ev3

Summary Box: Covidien continues to deal, buys ev3

LET’S MAKE A DEAL: Covidien PLC is buying ev3 Inc. for $2.6 billion. Covidien was spun off from Tyco International three years ago and has remade itself in the last year to focus on more lucrative businesses.

SHOPPING SPREE: In 2009 it bought VNUS Medical Technologies for $440 million, Aspect Medical Systems for $210 million and Power Medical Systems for $39 million.

ON THE BLOCK: In September Covidien said it would divest less profitable businesses. It sold or agreed to sell its sleep diagnostics, oxygen therapy, and radiopharmacy units, and part of its sleep therapy business.