Circon Announces That the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware Denies U.S. Surgical's Motion.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 1997--Circon Corp. (Nasdaq/NMS:CCON) Friday announced that the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware denied U.S. Surgical's motion for an order to grant expedited discovery and schedule a preliminary injunction hearing for a date on or before Sept. 26, 1997.

U.S. Surgical sought to enjoin the Circon Board from reappointing Chairman and CEO Richard Auhll to the board in the event he is not re-elected at the upcoming shareholders meeting on Oct. 6, 1997. In reaching its decision to reject the actions sought by U.S. Surgical, the court noted a lack of compelling circumstances that warrant judicial intervention at this time.

Auhll stated: "We are pleased with the rejection of U.S. Surgical's request for a preliminary injunction. We will continue to vigorously defend our position with respect to the other claims brought by U.S. Surgical which we believe to be without merit." Auhll continued: "U.S. Surgical wants to acquire Circon at the lowest possible price and these lawsuits are simply part of its strategy to achieve that result. We will continue to seek maximum benefit for our shareholders."

Circon is the leading U.S. supplier of products for minimally invasive urological and gynecological surgery, including such hardware products as endoscopes and video systems, and such disposable products as urological stents, laparoscopic suction-irrigation devices, and a wide variety of gynecological products.

CONTACT: Circon Corp., Santa Barbara

R. Bruce Thompson, 805/685-5100