UTICA, N.Y., Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD)
announced today that its subsidiary, Linvatec Corporation, a leader in
arthroscopy and powered surgical instruments, will be launching eight new
products at the annual conference of the American Academy of Orthopaedic
Surgeons (AAOS) in San Francisco, February 28 - March 2, 2001. In addition,
Linvatec will be introducing Web Partners(TM), a new Internet service which
will be available to its customers in the coming months, and an integrated
operating room solution to meet the demand for OR renovations and new surgery
centers. These offerings will assist the Company in its goals for continued
sales growth during the remainder of 2001 and beyond.
-- The Advantage(TM) power console will allow hospitals to use one power
source to operate all twenty three Linvatec and Hall(R) Surgical
powered handpieces, including arthroscopic, large bone, small bone,
specialty ENT and Neuro instruments. This standardization of power
source eliminates the need for multiple power units in the operating
room.
-- The new Advantage(TM) arthroscopy shaver handpiece will be introduced
at the AAOS. This ergonomic powered instrument is the smallest
arthroscopy shaver in its class on the market today and provides the
surgeon with more power and torque while maintaining reliable
performance.
-- The Super Revo(R), a self-drilling, 5.0mm suture anchor for rotator
cuff repair will be demonstrated at the meeting as well. This new
anchor incorporates Independent Suture Sliding (I.S.S.(TM)) technology.
This technology allows two sutures to slide independently within the
same eyelet. The Super Revo(R) was developed by Steven J. Snyder,
M.D., a leading orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine physician.
"Suture management and knot tying pose the greatest challenge in
arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The new Super Revo(R) eyelet will
enhance the ability for two sutures to slide independently thus
preventing tangling and knots," said Dr. Snyder. The Super Revo(R)
application for 510k approval is pending.
-- The GraFix(R) Instrument product line for cruciate reconstruction has
been completed with the addition of three new instruments: coring and
drill bit reamers for creating tibial tunnels as well as a tendon
stripper for harvesting soft tissue grafts.
-- A new line of aspirating ablators will also be announced. With the
recent release of the UltrAblator(TM) product line, Linvatec has
increased its global presence in the electrosurgical ablation market.
The new aspirating ablators will continue to strengthen Linvatec's
position in this market.
-- To further enhance Linvatec's position as a leader in arthroscopic
imaging, the new QuickLatch(TM) Mini-Arthroscopy scope and sheath
system will be introduced. This system provides the rigidity, image
size and flow of a 4mm scope along with the maneuverability and access
of a small joint scope. This new system, coupled with Linvatec's
autoclavable 3 chip camera (3CCD) technology, provides the most
efficient, cost-effective arthroscopic imaging solution available.
Finally, Linvatec will be announcing two new services it will be making
available to its customers in the following months. Web Partners(TM) is an
internet service that Linvatec will provide to its surgeon customer base.
This service will be used as a means to inform patients about certain medical
procedures, provide a forum for surgeons to market themselves and may also be
used as an office management tool to help physicians organize their practices.
Linvatec has also entered into an agreement with Val Med to provide integrated
operating room solutions. This includes providing state-of-the-art ceiling
mounted service managers and lighting systems, centralized control of
equipment in the operating room, touch screen technology and multiple viewing
options.
Gerald Woodard, President of Linvatec said, "These products and services
will support four major strategic objectives for Linvatec. They are:
-- Providing a standardized power solution for the operating room.
-- Offering an enhanced procedure specific product line to accommodate the
fullest range of sports medicine surgical procedures.
-- Providing a full line of ablation and tissue modification devices.
-- Integrating services and product solutions to increase operating room
productivity and decrease hospital costs."
Mr. Woodard added, "Our marketing and research groups have focused on
these objectives as evidenced by the products and services we are now
announcing. We will continue this focus in the upcoming months."
Mr. Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Operating Officer of CONMED
commented, "I am very pleased with our Company's ability to develop and
release new products. In fact, not only has the new product pipeline been
prolific, it has been innovative. Linvatec was the first company to introduce
innovative products like the EndoPearl(TM) and the 3 Chip Autoclavable Camera,
and is again first to market with a product like the Advantage(TM) power
source."
CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments and
implants for arthroscopic sports medicine, and powered surgical equipment,
such as drills and saws, for orthopedic, ENT and neurosurgery. The company is
also a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of advanced medical
devices, including electrosurgical systems, ECG electrodes for heart
monitoring, and minimally invasive surgical devices. Headquartered in Utica,
New York, the Company's 2,400 employees distribute its products worldwide from
eight manufacturing locations.
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain
assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties. The
forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the
Company's performance on a going-forward basis. The forward-looking
statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could
cause actual results, performance or trends, including the above mentioned
anticipated revenues and earnings, to differ materially from those expressed
in the forward-looking statements. The Company believes that all
forward-looking statements made by it have a reasonable basis, but there can
be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections as
expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be
correct. In addition to general industry and economic conditions, factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in
the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not
limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of the assumptions stated above
to prove to be correct; (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements
discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1999; (iii) cyclical purchasing patterns from customers,
end-users and dealers; (iv) timely release of new products, and acceptance of
such new products by the market; (v) the introduction of new products by
competitors and other competitive responses; and/or (vi) the Company's ability
to devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.
SOURCE CONMED Corporation
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.conmed.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/201850.html or fax,
800-758-5804, ext. 201850
CONTACT:
Robert D. Shallish, Jr., Chief Financial
Officer of CONMED Corporation, 315-797-8375; Investors - Theresa
Vogt or Sarah Torres, or Media - Stacey Nield or Dan Budwick, all
of Morgen-Walke Associates, 212-850-5600, for CONMED Corporation
|
