MINNEAPOLIS, March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ATS Medical, Inc. announced its first implant of the new ATS Simulus(TM) FLX-O annuloplasty ring. The surgery was performed by Dr. David Duke at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene, Oregon. Dr. Duke implanted a 33 mm flexible ring in a 54-year old patient with myxomatous mitral valve disease.
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“The Simulus(TM) annuloplasty ring is very easy to suture and releases from its holder with only one simple cut. The patient is doing well and the device worked beautifully. It will be a valuable tool for us in treating patients with valve disease,” said Dr. Duke.
ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty product line consists of a flexible ring -- the ATS Simulus(TM) FLX-O Ring -- and a flexible band -- the ATS Simulus(TM) FLX-C Band to accommodate various approaches to mitral and tricuspid valve repair. Annuloplasty rings and bands are used in those cases where repair of patient’s heart valve is preferable to the complete replacement of the valve. It has been well documented that the shape of heart valves change during the cardiac cycle. The ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty products are designed to maintain the normal physiologic function of the heart valve. They have been designed with the input of cardiac surgeons with a focus on the ease of implantation.
“We are very excited about the first implant of our new flexible annuloplasty ring. This is one more step toward our goal of establishing ATS Medical as a leader in cardiac surgery,” said ATS Medical Chairman, President and CEO Michael D. Dale.
The ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty products are manufactured for ATS Medical by Genesee BioMedical, Inc., a Denver-based innovator of cardiac surgery instruments and devices recognized for their high standards of quality.
ATS Medical, Inc. manufactures and markets products and services focused on cardiac surgery. The company, global in scope, has been headquartered in Minneapolis since its founding in 1991. More than 100,000 ATS Open Pivot(R) Heart Valves, which utilize a unique pivot design resulting in exceptional performance and low risk profile, have been implanted in patients worldwide. ATS Medical’s focus on serving the cardiac surgery community is further strengthened by offerings that include ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty products for heart valve repair, Surgi-Frost(R) and Frost-Byte(TM) products for surgical cryoablation of cardiac arrhythmias, RTI-Cardiovascular for allograft tissue services, QAS home monitoring services for anticoagulation therapy and the development of PARSUS blood filtration technology. The ATS Medical web site is http://www.atsmedical.com .
Safe Harbor
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that may include statements regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of a number of important factors, including the ability of ATS Medical to market ATS Simulus(TM) annuloplasty products -- cardiovascular implants, regulatory actions, competition, pricing pressures, supplier actions and management of growth. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company’s activities and results, please refer to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission to its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.
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CONTACT: Michael Dale, President and CEO, +1-763-557-2224, or Jack Judd,CFO, +1-763-557-2222, both of ATS Medical, Inc.; or Investors, DouglasSherk, +1-415-652-9100, or Jennifer Beugelmans, +1-415-896-6820, or Media,Steve DiMattia, +1-646-277-8706, or Sheryl Seapy, +1-949-608-0841, all forATS Medical, Inc.
Web site: http://www.atsmedical.com/
