Computer Motion Technology Adopted by Leading Cardiac Centers in China to Enable ``Endo-ACAB,'' A Patient-Friendly Minimally Invasive Beating Heart Bypass Procedure.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2002

Computer Motion, Inc. (Nasdaq:RBOT):

-- Beijing Fu Wai Cardiovascular Hospital and Shanghai Medical

University Affiliated Zhong San Hospital Successfully Perform

Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass Procedures Pioneered by

Computer Motion and Leading Cardiac Surgeons

Computer Motion, Inc. (Nasdaq:RBOT), the world's leading developer of surgical robotic systems serving over 900 customers and 3,000 surgeons in 32 countries, today announced that China's two leading cardiac centers have successfully performed the Endo-ACAB procedure (Endoscopic Atraumatic Coronary Artery Bypass). The procedure, co-developed by Computer Motion and leading cardiac surgeons around the world, is enabled by the Company's AESOP(R) Robotic Endoscope Positioner and Computer Motion's procedure kit. Beijing Fu Wai Cardiovascular Hospital's three-month start up phase has been a great success. Shanghai Medical University Affiliated Zhong San Hospital has also successfully completed their initial cases, with excellent results.

Dr. Sheng Shou Hu, recently appointed president of Fu Wai Hospital and the former Chief of Cardiac Surgery, led the team that performed the successful Endo-ACAB procedures. The hospital has also initiated a hybrid program that combines cardiac surgery with cardiology procedures involving the use of stents. This initial program has resulted in the completion of 35 cases this year. The overall cardiac market potential in China is extremely large. Only 40,000 cardiac procedures are done annually with over 4 million waiting for heart treatment according to Mayo Clinic estimates. This approach has the potential to be the procedure of choice due to greatly reduced hospital stay time, where the number of hospital beds and cardiac clinics are insufficient to meet demand. The Endo-ACAB procedure significantly reduces hospital stay time, thus freeing up much needed hospital beds for incoming patients. Fu Wai Hospital is the leading cardiac hospital in China, performing over 4,000 cardiac cases annually.

Dr. Qiang Zhao of Zhong San Hospital reports that he plans to expand his series of Endo-ACAB procedures in the coming months. Zhong San Hospital includes a cardiac surgery research institution that receives local and central government funding for research in heart surgery.

Dr. Zhao commented, "I have found the procedure to be an excellent minimally invasive treatment for heart disease patients requiring a left internal mammary artery to left anterior descending coronary artery bypass graft. The addition of AESOP provides me with the image steadiness to perform the procedure safely and comfortably. This graft is common to over 95% of cardiac bypass surgeries and may well form the basis of a hybrid procedure involving a combination of endoscopic bypass surgery and the use of stents." Dr. Zhao personally performs over 350 CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft) procedures per year.

Bob Duggan, Chairman and CEO of Computer Motion, stated, "The market opportunity in China is very important to our company. We are pleased to be taking these first promising steps in this large and rapidly growing market. The company has a well established market position in China and has recently celebrated its second anniversary there. We have regulatory clearance for AESOP and SOCRATES (TM) and anticipate clearance for ZEUS(R), soon. Computer Motion is very proud of the success being generated by our sales, clinical support and surgeon teams, led by the company's Ms. Pei-Jin Ruan and Ms. Linda Zhang. The success we are experiencing with the Endo-ACAB in China will prove to be of great benefit to China's patients, surgeons and hospitals."

The Endo-ACAB is a minimally invasive beating heart bypass procedure. Five millimeter ports are used in this operation instead of the traditional 12-15 inch sternotomy approach through the patient's breastbone. The endoscopic approach minimizes patient trauma and scarring, and improves recovery times dramatically. Computer Motion's AESOP Robotic Endoscope Positioner is the only product on the market that enables the Endo-ACAB procedure. Over 650 AESOP systems are currently in use in the United States and around the world. Both surgeons in China look forward to incorporating Computer Motion's, SOCRATES, for telecollaboration, as they further incorporate the Endo-ACAB into their practice.

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 that enhance surgeons' capabilities, improve patient outcomes and reduce costs. Computer Motion plays a significant role in transitioning the surgical community from current open procedures to endoscopic procedures that are less painful and traumatic to the patient. Computer Motion's products include the ZEUS(R) Robotic Surgical System for minimally invasive surgical procedures, and the HERMES(R) Control Center, a centralized system that enables the surgeon to voice control a network of "smart" medical devices. The AESOP(R) Robotic Endoscope Positioner is the first surgical robot to be made commercially available in the U.S. The company's newest product, the SOCRATES(TM) Telecollaboration System, facilitates surgeon collaboration using video and audio conferencing, shared control of the endoscopic camera, and video annotation on the surgical image in the operating room. The company's products are CE-Marked for commercial sale in the European Community. The company's Web site is www.ComputerMotion.com.

This press 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.

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