ArthroCare Announces FDA Clearance for Coblation Treatment for Snoring; Significantly Expands Market Potential for Company's ENT Systems.

Business Editors/Health &Medical Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 9, 2000

ArthroCare Corporation (Nasdaq:ARTC) today announced the company has received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a new surgical procedure, called Coblation-Channeling(TM), for the treatment of snoring.

Coblation Channeling is a new minimally invasive procedure for treating upper airway obstructive disorders with ArthroCare's ENTec(R) system, the company's patented Coblation(R)-based surgical system for ear, nose and throat surgery. Since June 1998, ArthroCare's ENTec system has been marketed in the United States and internationally for general ear, nose and throat procedures. It has been available in Europe for the treatment of snoring since June, 1999.

In the United States alone, over 40 million adults, including approximately 40 percent of men over the age of 50, suffer from snoring. A variety of medical factors can contribute to snoring, but uncomplicated snoring is generally due to vibration of the soft palate and uvula tissue causing intermittent airway obstruction.

Coblation-Channeling is performed on the soft palate under local anesthesia. As with all other Coblation-based procedures, the bipolar surgical device operates at a relatively low temperature, enhancing precision and reducing the risk of thermal injury to surrounding tissue. Treatment time is relatively rapid, taking approximately 30 seconds per procedure as compared to up to nine minutes with other devices. Additional potential advantages of Coblation-Channeling compared to other more traditional techniques include less pain, faster healing, reduced postoperative care and the ability to perform procedures in the office rather than the operating room.

&uot;I am very happy with the ease of use of the ENTec surgical system in treating my patients with snoring problems,&uot; said Dr. Jeffrey Rawnsley, Assistant Professor, Division of Head and Neck Surgery, UCLA Medical Center. &uot;It only takes a matter of seconds to deliver the energy necessary to treat snoring. In my experience to date, the procedure is quick, painless and can be performed in the office. In fact, some of my patients have come in during their lunch break and returned immediately to work. Compared to other technologies, the ENTec System, in my opinion, is the ideal tool for both the physician and patient.&uot;

&uot;In my private practice and as an ENT surgeon in hospitals, I have performed several hundred procedures using low frequency radio waves for thermal ablation in the nose and throat, as well as tonsillectomy procedures,&uot; said Dr. Magne Tvinnereim, an ENT surgeon at the Center for Sleep and Breathing Disorders, Bergen, Norway. &uot;In my experience, in controlled, objective overnight monitoring studies, this type of treatment gives optimal results. The ENTec surgical system offers a wide variety of tools, well suited for my purpose, regarding short operating time, patient comfort, and surgical results. My patients are very happy with the treatment and results. Coblation will definitely be a part of my surgical armament in the years to come.&uot;

ArthroCare's products allow surgeons to operate with a high level of precision and control, limiting damage to surrounding tissue and thereby potentially reducing pain and speeding recovery for the patient. The company's products operate at lower temperatures than traditional electrosurgical or laser surgery tools and enable surgeons to remove, shrink or sculpt soft tissue and to simultaneously seal bleeding vessels.

ArthroCare is a medical device company that develops manufactures and markets products based on its patented Coblation technology. ArthroCare's soft-tissue surgery systems consist of a controller unit and an assortment of disposable devices that are specialized for specific types of surgery. The company believes its Coblation technology can replace the multiple surgical tools traditionally used in soft-tissue surgery with one multi-purpose surgical system. Coblation technology is applicable across many soft-tissue surgical markets. ArthroCare's systems are used to perform many types of arthroscopic surgery. The company's strategy includes applying its patented Coblation technology to a broad range of other soft-tissue surgical markets, including cosmetic surgery, ear, nose and throat surgery, spinal surgery, general surgery, and various cardiology applications.

Except for historical information, this press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the company's fundamental position, continued success of certain product lines and strategies, the strength of the company's market position, and risks as detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including ArthroCare's Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 1999 and Form S-3 dated September 28, 1999, and Form 10 Q for the quarter ended October 2, 1999. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as &uot;anticipates&uot;, &uot;estimates&uot;, &uot;projects&uot;, &uot;believes&uot;, &uot;intends&uot;, &uot;expects&uot;, and similar words and phrases. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations. The company disclaims any obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.