HEALTH

U.S. Surgical’s Bid for Circon Turns Hostile: The surgical-product maker said it will proceed with its $235-million offer despite Circon Corp.’s approving a “poison pill” anti-takeover plan. Norwalk, Conn.-based U.S. Surgical, with sales of $1.02 billion last year, wants to use its marketing force to sell Santa Barbara-based Circon’s line of laparoscopes. Circon, with 1995 sales of $160 million, called the offer inadequate, saying it doesn’t reflect its long-term value. U.S. Surgical owns about 1 million Circon shares, or about 8% of the company’s stock outstanding. It based its offer on acquiring 67% of Circon’s shares. U.S. Surgical shares were down 25 cents to $35.50 on the New York Stock Exchange; Circon shares rose 87.5 cents to $18 in Nasdaq trading.