DEBT AND EQUITIES UnitedHealth Group Inc., Minnetonka, announced the final results for its previously announced modified "Dutch auction" cash tender offers for some of its notes. The tender offers expired on Feb. 5. UnitedHealth Group received tenders for $474 million of its short-term notes and $586 million of its intermediate-term notes. UnitedHealth Group accepted $200 million and $575 million of the short-term notes and the intermediate-term notes, respectively.

DONATIONS Medtronic Inc., Fridley, said it has donated nearly $900,000 in medical devices and surgical supplies to help meet urgent medical needs in Haiti. In response to numerous spine and crush injuries, the company provided spinal surgical implants such as rods, hooks and screws to treat spinal fractures, facilitate spinal fusion and stabilize and strengthen the spine. Spinal orthopedic implants and replacement devices were provided for trauma reconstruction. Combined with $1.2 million in cash pledges, Monday's announcement raises Medtronic's total response to more than $2.1 million.

NEW BUSINESS Corval Group Inc., St. Paul, and Ryan Cos. Inc., Minneapolis, announced a joint venture, Corval Ryan JV, focused on engineering, project management, construction, fabrication and providing solutions for industrial gasification projects throughout North America.

Ecumen Inc., Shoreview, broke ground on its second senior housing community in Apple Valley and will manage The Seasons at Maplewood, which is under construction.

Jet Edge Inc., St. Michael, Minn., and Tecnocut S.p.A. of Bergamo, Italy, announced a strategic research and development partnership designed to strengthen both companies' positions in the waterjet industry.

Smyth Cos., St. Paul, has partnered with Novacap, a private equity firm in Montreal, to supply capital and acquisition expertise for Smyth's expansion goals.

NEW PRODUCTS Synovis Life Technologies Inc., St. Paul, has received Food and Drug Administration 510(k) marketing clearance for its Flow Coupler, an extension of the company's Microvascular Anastomotic Coupler used in some surgical procedures to connect small blood vessels more quickly than hand suturing. Synovis will begin a limited launch of the Flow Coupler in the United States during its second fiscal quarter, with a full release expected during the third quarter.

PERSONNEL Allete Inc., Duluth, announced that CEO Don Shippar will retire April 30. The board of directors has named Allete's president, Allen Hodnik, to succeed Shippar as CEO. Shippar has been with Allete for 33 years and CEO since 2006.

Vital Images Inc., Minnetonka, announced Oran Muduroglu has been appointed a member of the board of directors. Muduroglu is co-founder of Stentor Inc. and most recently served as chief executive of Healthcare Informatics, a Business Group within Philips Healthcare.