- Company Announces Strategic Partnership with eTrauma -
UTICA, N.Y., March 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CONMED Corporation
(Nasdaq: CNMD) announced today that its subsidiary, Linvatec Corporation, a
leader in sports medicine technology, will be launching fourteen new products
at the annual conference of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS)
in San Francisco, March 10 - 14, 2004. The Company also announced a strategic
co-marketing relationship with eTrauma, a developer and manufacturer of
picture archiving and communications systems (PACS) and electronic medical
records (EMR) software. Through this partnership, ConMed(R) Integrated
Systems will extend its Digital SMART OR(TM) integrated operating room
offering to include eTrauma's OrthoPACS(R) digital communications product.
These additions will enhance CONMED's arthroscopy, powered instrument and
integrated systems product offerings. Following is a summary of the new
products:
* Further enhancing CONMED's position as a leader in arthroscopic
imaging, the Company is introducing its 4th generation Autoclavable
3-Chip Camera (3CCD) Video System. This system has a new
ergonomically designed camera head for improved comfort and
functionality, Linvatec's ShockFlex(TM) Prism Mounting for durability,
and Progressive Scan technology for high definition image quality.
New companion product releases include a Xenon Light Source,
VP1500-Release 2.0, and Video Cart.
* The 10k(TM) Pump is the newest addition to the Company's line of fluid
management products. This new pump, designed for use in Arthroscopic
joint distension as well as Laparoscopic irrigation, provides the
optimum combination of user-friendliness, high performance and
cost-effectiveness.
* Adding to its extensive line of Advantage(R) Shaver Blades, the Company
is introducing the UltraCut(R) Blade and the Curved Tiger(TM) Blade.
These new shaver blades offer specialized solutions for Arthroscopic
applications such as Notchplasty, Acromioplasty, Menisectomy and
Chondroplasty.
-- The UltraCut(R) Blade functions as both a soft tissue shaver and a
bone cutter.
-- The Curved Tiger(TM) Blade combines a precise cutting window design
with a proprietary inner tube design, resulting in a soft tissue
cutter that leaves a smooth resultant tissue margin.
New Shoulder Products
* Herculine(TM) is a new high-strength suture. This performance fiber
provides superior fixation for soft tissue repairs. Offered initially
in suture packs, Herculine will soon be integrated onto a number of
Linvatec's suture anchors.
* The Company will also be introducing a new Master Shoulder Instrument
Set, which provides surgeons with a suture management system
specifically designed for shoulder Arthroscopy.
* The new Impact(TM) Suture Anchor is a bioresorbable SR(TM) (Self-
Reinforced(TM)) PLLA polymer anchor specifically targeted for
instability repair in the shoulder. The unique key-lock insertion
technique provides superior implant fixation. This anchor can be
utilized for Arthroscopic, mini-open, and open-shoulder reconstruction.
* Also designed for instability repair in the shoulder, the new Pre-
Loaded Bio-Anchor(R) is a molded PLLA press fit implant, which offers a
new driver and enhanced implant interface.
New Knee Products
* The new Matryx(TM) Femoral Screw is a SR(TM) (Self-Reinforced(TM))
biocomposite interference screw for ACL fixation (pending 510K
approval). Adding breadth to the Company's existing line of
interference screws, implants such as this one, compounded with TCP
(Tri-Calcium Phosphate), have been shown to promote osteoconduction of
bone.
* The SmartNail(R) 2.4mm is a SR(TM) bioresorbable nail used for
cartilage repair. This new size (2.4mm), coupled with an expanded
Arthroscopic instrumentation system, further enhances the product
offering.
Powered Instruments - New PowerPro(R) System
* The PowerPro(R) Pneumatic System is the latest addition to the
Company's acclaimed PowerPro(R) product line. With this product line
addition, the Company is now able to offer the PowerPro(R) System in
all power source options: Pneumatic, Battery and Electric. Comprised
of three new handpieces, the Pneumatic System works with the same
modular attachments as the existing PowerPro(R) Battery and PowerPro(R)
Electric II. These handpieces were specifically designed to be small
and light weight for Small Bone Orthopedics (Hand and Foot), Trauma,
Arthroscopy (ACL reconstruction), and Maxillofacial Surgery, yet
powerful enough for Large Bone Orthopedics (Hips and Knees).
ConMed Integrated Systems - New Partnership with eTrauma
The Company's new strategic partnership with eTrauma further enhances the
value of its Digital SMART OR(TM) integrated operating room offering.
eTrauma's OrthoPACS product provides digital communications and storage of
pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative images, including: X-Ray,
CT, MRI and Endoscopic, which document medical conditions and surgical
procedures. The combination of the Digital SMART OR(TM) imaging capabilities
and eTrauma's OrthoPACS product constitutes a comprehensive electronic medical
records offering.
Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Operating Officer of CONMED
commented, "Our innovative new orthopedic products, and the partnership with
eTrauma, will continue to enhance the breadth of our offering and support our
key initiatives of:
* Leveraging our expertise in sports medicine to continue our market
growth throughout the orthopedic product line.
* Maintaining a strategic focus on standardization of products and
integration of systems, thereby increasing operating room efficiency,
productivity, and decreasing hospital costs.
* Continuing to offer our customers the latest in technology and
services."
Mr. Corasanti, added, "I am very pleased by our Company's ability to
develop and release new products. Having been the first company to introduce
the innovative 3 Chip Autoclavable Camera (3CCD) and a powered instrument
system as superior as the PowerPro(R) line is, we are once again raising the
bar with products like our Next Generation 3CCD System, and PowerPro(R)
Pneumatic. Additionally, partnerships with technology driven companies like
eTrauma further add value to our orthopedic and sports medicine product
lines."
About CONMED:
CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments,
implants, and video equipment for arthroscopic sports medicine, and
powered surgical instruments, such as drills and saws, for orthopedic, ENT,
neuro-surgery, and other surgical specialties. The Company is also a leading
developer, manufacturer and supplier of RF electrosurgery systems used
routinely to cut and cauterize tissue in nearly all types of surgical
procedures worldwide, endoscopy products such as trocars, clip appliers,
scissors, and surgical staplers. The Company offers integrated operating room
design and intensive care unit service managers. The Company also
manufactures and sells a full line of ECG electrodes for heart monitoring and
other patient care products. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's
2,600 employees distribute its products worldwide from eleven manufacturing
locations.
Forward Looking Information
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 herein or in previous disclosures. 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, 2002; (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; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition or other
transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions
and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to devise and execute
strategies to respond to market conditions.
SOURCE CONMED Corporation
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Related links:
http://www.conmed.com
Company News On-Call:
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CONTACT:
Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer of
CONMED Corporation, +1-315-624-3206; Investors: Deborah
Ardern-Jones or Lanie Marcus, Media: Sean Leous, all of Financial
Dynamics, +1-212-850-5600, for CONMED Corporation
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