Joint Effort: Alton Surgical Instruments Corp., a...

Joint Effort: Alton Surgical Instruments Corp., a subsidiary of Alton Group Inc., and Life Support Products Inc. have joined forces to develop a breath monitoring device to be used by paramedics.

Under the development and supply agreement, Alton Surgical will develop and manufacture the monitor while Life Support Products will provide technical assistance and marketing, William H. Scholz, director of sales for Alton Surgical, said Tuesday.

The agreement between the two Irvine-based medical device firms was signed Oct. 1, Scholz said. The companies expect to spend about $250,000 in researching and developing the device.

The monitor, which would measure carbon dioxide levels in the breath of patients being treated by paramedics, could be ready for sale by the spring. It requires approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.