Cardiac Science Awarded U.S. Patent for Unique Defibrillation Electrodes.

Business Editors and Health/Medical Writers

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IRVINE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 19, 2000

12 Other Patent Applications Filed Over the Past Year to Secure

Technology Platform and Recurring Revenue Stream

Cardiac Science Inc., (Nasdaq:DFIB), the developer of the only patient monitoring technology that provides life-saving external defibrillation therapy within seconds and without human intervention, Tuesday announced that it has been awarded a U.S. patent for novel disposable defibrillation electrodes optimized to alleviate skin irritation and patient discomfort resulting from multi-day wear.

The U.S. patent 6,148,233 issued by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and assigned to Cardiac Science is titled, "Defibrillation system having segmented electrodes." The patent was originally applied for in 1997 by Cadent Medical Corp., and was assigned to Cardiac Science in conjunction with Cardiac Science's acquisition of Cadent in July 2000.

The electrodes consist of miniaturized segments separated by open spaces, thereby providing enhanced patient comfort and improved efficacy for long-term wear when compared with conventionally shaped defibrillation electrodes.

It is anticipated the patented electrodes will be utilized with Cardiac Science's commercially available Powerheart(R) hospital bedside defibrillator-monitor and new products under development, including its Automatic Defibrillation Module designed for integration with standard patient monitoring systems and its Wearable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

The company also announced it has filed 12 additional patents over the past year related to its proprietary tachyarrhythmia detection, defibrillation and electrode technology platform and its various applications.

"Enhancing our intellectual property portfolio is a key ingredient of our business strategy," said Dongping Lin, Ph.D., chief science and intellectual property officer. "We believe our patented electrode technology will prove to be of great value to the company as prophylactic attachment of life-saving automatic defibrillation technology is adopted as the new standard of care for monitored cardiac patients."

About Cardiac Science

Cardiac Science develops and markets life-saving external cardiac defibrillator devices and proprietary software that monitors a patient's cardiac activity, instantly detects the onset of a life-threatening heart rhythm and automatically delivers defibrillation shocks within as little as 10 seconds and without human intervention to re-establish the heart's normal rhythm.

It's core proprietary defibrillation and electrode technology platform has multiple applications, including use in external and wearable defibrillators and with standard patient monitors widely used in hospitals throughout the world. The growth of the company's installed base provides a recurring revenue stream from the sale of proprietary disposable defibrillator electrodes.

On Nov. 27, 2000 Cardiac Science announced that it offered to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Spacelabs Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:SLMD) for $15 per share. Cardiac Science is aggressively pursuing all avenues in its effort to acquire Spacelabs in a negotiated transaction.

Cardiac Science began marketing its first commercial product, the Powerheart in early 2000. For more information on Cardiac Science, visit its Internet site at www.cardiacscience.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: the enhanced efficacy and patient comfort provided by its new electrodes; the life-saving potential of Cardiac Science's technology; the company's ability to integrate its technology into patient monitors, develop new products, and improve patient-care; a potential transaction between Cardiac Science Inc. and Spacelabs Medical Inc. that may or may not occur. Cardiac Science cautions that these statements are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties and are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements and should not be relied upon by investors when making an investment decision. Information on these and other factors is detailed in the company's Form 10-K for the year ending Dec. 31, 1999 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.