EXHIBIT 99.1

               THERMO ELECTRON COMPLETES VIASYS HEALTHCARE SPINOFF

     Opening Trading Price for Thermo Adjusted to Reflect Share Distribution


WALTHAM, Mass., November 16, 2001 - Thermo Electron Corporation (NYSE:TMO)
announced today that it has distributed all of its shares of Viasys Healthcare
Inc. (NYSE:VAS) as a tax-free dividend to Thermo Electron shareholders of record
on November 7, 2001. The distribution took place at 4 p.m. yesterday. Shares of
Thermo Electron common stock will commence trading this morning approximately
$2.50 lower than yesterday's closing price of $24.06, reflecting the Viasys
Healthcare spinoff. Viasys Healthcare "when issued" common stock closed
yesterday at $17.20.

     Thermo Electron has distributed .1461 shares of Viasys Healthcare common
stock for each share of Thermo Electron common stock. The ratio is based on the
number of Thermo Electron and Viasys Healthcare shares outstanding on the
November 7, 2001, record date. Thermo Electron's distribution agent, American
Stock Transfer & Trust Company, has mailed to Thermo Electron shareholders
entitled to the dividend an information statement containing details of the
distribution and information about Viasys Healthcare, as well as stock
certificates representing whole shares of Viasys Healthcare common stock being
distributed (any fractional shares will be payable in cash). Checks representing
fractional shares will be mailed separately.

     Thermo Electron Corporation is a global leader in providing
technology-based instruments, components, and systems that offer total solutions
for markets ranging from life sciences to telecommunications to food, drug, and
beverage production. The company's powerful technologies help researchers sift
through data to make discoveries that will fight disease or prolong life. They
allow manufacturers to fabricate critical components required to increase the
speed and quality of communications. And they automatically monitor and control
online production to ensure that quality standards are met safely and
efficiently. Thermo Electron, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, reported $2.3
billion in revenues in 2000 and employs approximately 12,000 people worldwide.
For more information on Thermo Electron, visit http://www.thermo.com.

     The following constitutes a "Safe Harbor" statement under the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release contains
forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those indicated by such forward-looking statements are set forth under the
heading "Risk Factors" in the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 30, 2000. These include risks and uncertainties
relating to: integration of the company's instrument businesses, the ability to
improve internal growth, liquidity and prospective performance of a subsidiary
to be spun off, the company's guarantee of obligations of a subsidiary that was
spun off, the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on international operations,
potential impairment of goodwill, the need to develop new products and adapt to
significant technological change, dependence on customers that operate in
cyclical industries, the effect of changes in governmental regulations, and
dependence on customers' capital spending policies and government funding
policies. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking
statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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