Computer Motion Receives Additional Broad-Based Patent to Cover Another Key Concept in Medical Robotics.

Business Editors and Health/Medical & Technology Writers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 6, 2000

Computer Motion Plans to Add Ninth Patent

to Intuitive Surgical Infringement Lawsuit

Computer Motion Inc. (Nasdaq:RBOT), the pioneer and leader in medical robotics, today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued an additional broad-based patent (No. 6,102,850) to the company.

This marks the 24th patent issued to Computer Motion. The company also has another 51 internally created patent applications currently pending.

"This patent covers yet another important core competency in medical robotics, giving Computer Motion ownership over the concept of the surgeon's ability to alternate control over different robotic arms via a single handle," said Yulun Wang Ph.D., founder and chief technical officer of Computer Motion.

"One would utilize this concept to enable the surgeon to perform different surgical tasks via a single joystick. For example, the surgeon could change the function of a handle so that it can alternate control between the tissue grasper and the endoscopic camera. This concept is analogous to using a single computer mouse to perform multiple tasks."

Wang added: "We are very proud of the fact that Computer Motion has developed all of our intellectual property entirely in-house. Our extensive patent portfolio provides a strong intellectual property base in the developing medical robotics marketplace."

"We believe that Intuitive Surgical infringes upon this patent. We have placed Intuitive Surgical on notice of the patent and will be taking steps to add it to the our ongoing patent litigation," stated Jan Weir of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth, the firm handling the patent infringement litigation for Computer Motion.

Computer Motion is a high-tech medical device company equipping surgeons to enhance life by evolving surgical practices. The company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary computer-enhanced and robotic surgical systems, which enhance surgeons' capabilities, improve outcomes and reduce costs.

To date, the Computer Motion family of products has safely assisted more than 100,000 minimally invasive procedures across a broad range of surgical disciplines.

Computer Motion's products include the voice-controlled AESOP(R) endoscope positioning system; the HERMES(TM) Control Center, a centralized system which enables the surgeon to voice control a network of "smart" medical devices; and the ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System for new minimally invasive microsurgery procedures, such as endoscopic, beating heart bypass surgery.

The ZEUS System is CE-Marked for commercial sale in the European Community and is co-marketed by Computer Motion and Medtronic (NYSE: MDT). Computer Motion has completed an FDA-approved Phase 1 Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) coronary bypass study and has initiated an IDE mitral valve surgery study with the ZEUS System. The company's Web site is www.ComputerMotion.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the company's business and products. Actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors, including the risks of competition and competing technologies, duration or suspension of clinical studies, regulatory clearances and approvals and physician, hospital and payor acceptance of the company's products. These factors and other risks inherent in the company's business are described from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.