Lexington’s Imprivata acquires palm-scanning technology

Lexington health care technology company said Thursday that it has acquired a small firm that makes a product with big potential: a palm-scanning patient identification system.

Imprivata Inc. said it will pay $19 million, plus up to $7 million in additional payments over the next two years, for HT Systems of Tampa . HT Systems sells a system that helps hospitals and medical offices identify patients and access their records by scanning a patient’s palm.