ArthroCare Announces Live Webcast of Coblation-Based ENT Surgical Procedures from Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

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SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 20, 2004

Surgeons to Demonstrate Coblation Tonsillectomy and Coblation

Assisted Upper-airway Procedure for Treating Snoring and

Sleep Apnea 

ArthroCare(R) Corp. (Nasdaq:ARTC), a multi-business medical device company that develops minimally invasive surgical products, announced today Drs. Michael Timms and Magne Tvinnereim will perform a Coblation tonsillectomy and Coblation Assisted Upper-airway Procedure (CAUP) during a live Webcast from the Blackburn Royal Infirmary in England. The Webcast is designed to demonstrate the improved clinical outcomes that result from these advanced surgical techniques.

Event Details

-- Date: Wed., May 26, 2004

-- Time: 10:00 a.m. (UK) / 11:00 a.m. (Central Europe) / 5:00

a.m. (EDT)

-- Webcast Link:

http://www.or-live.com/blackburninfirmaryhospital/1203/; the

Webcast will remain available on the www.or-live.com Web site

for one year.

A camera crew will provide complete access to the operating theater during the Webcast and live audio will be featured from within the operating room. While the doctors perform the surgeries, Caroline Timms, SRN RMN, will provide commentary on the procedures and handle email questions from viewers. Timms is a registered nurse with extensive pre- and post-operative experience with the Coblation techniques.

A preview video of the Webcast is available at http://www.or-live.com/blackburninfirmaryhospital/1203.

Coblation Background

Derived from the words "controlled ablation," Coblation uses radiofrequency energy to convert saline solution into a precisely focused plasma. The energized particles in this plasma have sufficient energy to break molecular bonds, excising or dissolving soft tissue at relatively low temperatures (typically 40 degrees C to 70 degrees C), thereby preserving the integrity of surrounding healthy tissue.

Since the first Coblation tonsillectomy was performed in January 2000, physicians have performed more than 80,000 procedures worldwide. Dr. Timms has published several Coblation tonsillectomy articles demonstrating its use provides greater patient benefits compared to conventional methods, including reduced bleeding, less postoperative pain and shorter recovery times.

The CAUP is a new technique for treating snoring and obstructive sleep apnea. Several published studies from Dr. Tvinnereim have shown that using Coblation for upper airway surgery leads to a reduction in apneas and daytime tiredness, and an improvement in quality of life.

ABOUT ARTHROCARE

ArthroCare Corp. (www.arthrocare.com), headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a multi-business medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets minimally invasive surgical products, many of which are based on its patented Coblation technology. Coblation uses low-temperature radiofrequency energy to gently and precisely dissolve rather than burn soft tissue, minimizing damage to healthy tissue. ArthroCare targets a multi-billion dollar market opportunity across several medical specialties, significantly improving surgical procedures and enabling new, minimally invasive procedures. ArthroCare's Coblation-based devices have been used in more than two million surgical procedures worldwide. The company has developed and marketed Coblation-based products for arthroscopic, spine/neurologic, ear, nose and throat, cosmetic, urologic, gynecologic and laparoscopic/general surgical procedures, and continues research in other areas.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENTS

Except for historical information, this press release includes forward-looking statements. These statements include, but are not limited to, the company's stated business outlook for fiscal 2004, continued strength of the company's fundamental position, the strength of the company's technology, the company's belief that strategic moves will enhance achievement of the company's long term potential, the potential and expected rate of growth of new businesses, continued success of product diversification efforts, and other statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the uncertainty of success of the company's non-arthroscopic products, competitive risk, uncertainty of the success of strategic business alliances, uncertainty over reimbursement, need for governmental clearances or approvals before selling products, and the uncertainty of protecting the company's patent position. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including ArthroCare's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 and the 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004. Forward-looking statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "believes," "intends," "expects," and similar words and phrases. Actual results may differ materially from management expectations.