B. Braun Introduces the Perifix Safety Epidural Needle to Reduce Needlestick Injuries For Anesthesia Providers; Design Provides Protection While Offering Virtually No Change in Technique.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 9, 2003

B. Braun Medical Inc. will introduce the Perifix(R) Safety Epidural Needle during the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) 2003 Annual Meeting, October 11-15, 2003, in San Francisco, California. The needle is designed to protect against accidental needlestick injuries during administration of epidural anesthesia, while offering virtually no change in technique.

Unlike ordinary hypodermic needles, the epidural needle has a unique shape designed to facilitate locating the epidural space, and to introduce a thin, plastic catheter tube to deliver anesthetics that relieve pain. Since the anesthesia provider cannot see the tip of the epidural needle as it is directed toward the central nervous system of the patient, he or she must rely on the tactile sensations or "feel" transmitted back through the needle as it is slowly advanced through tissue in the lower back to the epidural space. Over a period of time, anesthesia providers develop an intimate "feel" for their particular epidural needle.

B. Braun developed the Perifix Safety Epidural Needle to protect against accidental needlestick injuries during administration of epidural anesthesia, while preserving the familiar "feel" of its market leading epidural needle. As the needle is withdrawn from the patient's back, the anesthesia provider advances a small deployment shroud containing a safety clip toward the tip of the epidural needle. The clip engages over the tip of the epidural needle and locks into place reducing the risk of accidental needlestick injury.

"In developing the Perifix Safety Epidural Needle, we faced the challenge of designing a safety epidural needle that would protect against accidental needlestick injuries without changing the acquired feel the anesthesia provider developed with non-safety epidural needles," said Brad Lane, Director Pain Control, B. Braun Medical. "To solve this problem, we used the safety clip design concept found in the highly successful B. Braun Introcan Safety(R) IV Catheter and B. Braun Surecan(R) Safety Huber Needle. This allowed us to design a safety epidural needle with a proven, effective safety mechanism that preserves the critical 'feel' of the needle."

The Perifix Safety Epidural Needle is a key component in B. Braun's forthcoming line of safety epidural procedural trays. In addition to other safety-oriented components, these trays will feature needle-free alternatives like B. Braun's FilterSTRAW(R) particulate matter filter and the MICRO-PIN(R) vial access pin for aspirating fluids from ampoules and vials.

B. Braun is touting a "Think Yellow. Think Safety.(TM)" campaign in support of the product launch since some of the safety devices in B. Braun trays are colored yellow to differentiate the epidural access point from other medical devices.

"Pressure is building on healthcare providers to comply with OSHA safety mandates, emerging federal and state legislation, JCAHO directives, and local risk management policies," says Lane. "Our new line of pain control safety products gives facilities compliance options they can exercise when the need arises."

More information is available at www.bbraunusa.com/perifix.

About B. Braun

With more than 28,000 employees worldwide, B. Braun is a full line supplier of innovative healthcare products & programs designed to improve both patient and clinician safety. Through its People, Products, and Programs - "Working Together for Excellence in Safety(TM)" initiative, B. Braun promotes best practices and products for continuous improvement of safety.

Founded over 160 years ago, B. Braun is proud of its tradition and commitment to delivering safety products and programs with unmatched quality, superior technology, and cost-effectiveness, while maintaining environmental responsibility. For more information about B. Braun or its safety healthcare products, call 800-854-6851, or visit B. Braun at www.bbraunusa.com.