A federal judge denied the Federal Trade Commission's bid to stop Steris' ($STE) impending $1.9 billion purchase of the U.K.'s Synergy Health. The acquisition is move to consolidate the medical device sterilization sector. The FTC failed show "a preponderance of evidence" in its antitrust case the judge said. "We are pleased with the court's decision and we will work to expeditiously close the acquisition of Synergy Health," said Steris CEO Walt Rosebrough. The FTC was only requesting to temporary stop the deal, but its likely the transaction would have fallen apart if the feds had won the case. Steris shares rose 6.3% on the Sept. 24 decision. More