Cardiac Science Licenses Technology to Medtronic Physio-Control.

Health/Medical Writers

IRVINE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--June 27, 2000

Cardiac Science Inc. (OTC:DFIB) today announced that it has signed an agreement to license its proprietary technology to Medtronic Physio-Control, the world's largest manufacturer of external defibrillators, for integration into Medtronic Physio-Control's LIFEPAK(R) products for the hospital market.

Incorporation of Cardiac Science's tachyarrhythmia detection software will enable Medtronic Physio-Control external defibrillators to be pre-attached to hospitalized patients identified to be a risk of cardiac arrest, instantly detect the onset of a lethal heart rhythm and provide life-saving defibrillation therapy automatically, within seconds and without the aid of hospital staff.

"Integrating our proprietary technology into the next generation of hospital defibrillators sold by the worldwide market leader brings us closer to our goal that all in-hospital cardiac patients get defibrillated within seconds should they suffer a life-threatening heart rhythm," said Raymond W. Cohen, president and chief executive officer of Cardiac Science. "This license agreement, in addition to our exclusive distribution agreement for Powerheart(R), further enhances our strategic partnership with Medtronic Physio-Control."

Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed, however, the agreement calls for integration of software technology and the sale of proprietary, disposable defibrillation electrodes worn by the patient. The defibrillation electrodes must be replaced every 24 hours and represent a recurring revenue stream for Cardiac Science.

"We know early defibrillation is key to increasing patient survival from sudden cardiac arrest," said Rene Mitchell, vice president of worldwide marketing of Medtronic Physio-Control. "Marrying the Medtronic Physio-Control name and reach to the Cardiac Science automatic defibrillation technology will speed adoption of the concept in the hospital environment and should result in improved survival from cardiac arrest."

About Medtronic Physio-Control

Based near Seattle, Wash., Medtronic Physio-Control, is the recognized leader in the manufacture, sale and service of external defibrillators and related medical equipment and accessories. Since the company pioneered portable defibrillation technology more than 30 years ago, its LIFEPAK products have been used by field emergency medical personnel and staff at eight out of 10 US hospitals, and now by first responders such as police and security officers, to save hundreds of thousands of lives. For more information about Medtronic Physio-Control, visit the company's website at http://www.physiocontrol.com.

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company providing lifelong solutions to people with chronic disease. Its Internet address is http://www.medtronic.com.

About Cardiac Science

Cardiac Science develops and markets life-saving external cardiac defibrillator devices and proprietary tachyarrhythmia detection software technology that monitor and automatically treats cardiac arrest patients. RHYTHMx ECD(TM) tachyarrhythmia detection and defibrillation software technology, the company's core proprietary technology platform, has multiple applications including use in external defibrillators and existing standard bedside patient monitors widely used in hospitals throughout the world.

Shipments of the Cardiac Science's first commercial product, the Powerheart(R), began on Dec. 31, 1999. Powerheart continuously monitors in-hospital patients at risk of sudden cardiac arrest, instantly detects the onset of a life-threatening heart rhythm, and when appropriate, automatically delivers defibrillation shocks within seconds and without human intervention to re-establish the heart's normal rhythm. The ability to respond to a life-threatening heart rhythm within seconds saves lives and minimizes a loss of oxygen to the brain, thereby eliminating potential neurological damage and a diminished quality of life that often occurs when defibrillation is withheld for even a few minutes.

Cardiac Science has an exclusive agreement with Medtronic Physio-Control, a division of Medtronic, Inc., the worldwide market leader in external defibrillator products, to distribute the Powerheart in the U.S., Canada, and nine European countries. Cardiac Science's global network consists of prominent distributors in 41 countries encompassing Asia, the Middle East, Europe, South America and North America. For more information, visit http://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 Powerheart's safety and efficacy, it's ability to increase survival rates for in-hospital cardiac arrest victims, its ability to improve patient-care and lessen patient debilitation; The Company's ability to successfully integrate its technology into Medtronic Physio-Control's LIFEPAK products. Cardiac Science cautions that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Other factors include, but are not limited to: hospital operations; market and clinical users' acceptance of new and existing products; impact of competitive products and pricing; and changing market conditions. Information on these and other factors are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1999 and other documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Powerheart and RHYTHMx ECD are trademarks of Cardiac Science Inc. LIFEPAK is a trademark of Medtronic Physio-Control.