Computer Motion Receives Patent On Micro-Wrist Technology for Robotic Surgical Instruments.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2000

Unique Technology Enables Durable and Sterilizable Articulating

Surgical Instruments for Advanced Endoscopic Surgery

Computer Motion Inc. (Nasdaq:RBOT), the pioneer and leader in medical robotics, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued another medical robotics patent (No. 6,132,441) to the company.

[pilcrow (paragraph sign)] This marks the 25th patent issued to Computer Motion. The company also has another 50 patent applications pending that cover intellectual property created by its in-house development team.

This patent covers the design of the Micro-Wrist(TM) technology that is integrated into a series of surgical instruments used with the Computer Motion ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System in endoscopic surgery. These instruments offer a unique combination of articulating end-effectors and a miniaturized design to enable the surgeon increased dexterity and the ability to see and work in a very confined space, as required in pediatric and neurology disciplines.

"The ZEUS System is designed to facilitate large-scale movements externally that are translated into very precise micro-movements internally. With the Micro-Wrist technology, we can offer surgeons increased dexterity by allowing them a wrist-like range of motion inside the patient's body. We have taken a proven design approach based on the push-and-pull rod technology with flushing port that is used in today's surgical instruments, instead of cables, to create our Micro-Wrist instruments," stated Dr. Yulun Wang, founder and chief technical officer of Computer Motion. "This allows us to deliver robotic instruments with a 5-mm and smaller diameter that are very durable and easily sterilizable. We now offer a suite of more than 40 ZEUS instruments to support a broad range of multi-disciplinary procedures. This design approach is critical in supporting safe and effective advanced endoscopic surgery, such as beating heart endoscopic coronary bypass surgery."

Computer Motion is a high-tech medical device company evolving surgical practices to enhance patient lives. The company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary computer-enhanced and robotic surgical systems, which enhance surgeons' capabilities, improve outcomes and reduce costs. Computer Motion's products include the voice-controlled AESOP(R) endoscope positioning system; the HERMES(TM) Control Center, a centralized system that 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 and general laparoscopic studies with the ZEUS System. Also, the company has begun the second phase of its tubal reanastomosis study. 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.