Computer Motion Updates Status of Patent Litigation; Recent Developments in the Patent Related Cases.

Business Editors & Health/Medical/Legal Writers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 11, 2002

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 the U.S. District Court in Delaware has entered an opinion finding against Computer Motion's prosecution laches defense. The judge has entered a final judgment in this case and the $4.4 million jury verdict is subject to judicial review. Computer Motion is exploring all options, including requesting a new trial and reduction of the jury's damage award.

In California, Computer Motion is suing Intuitive Surgical for infringement of nine U.S. patents. A tenth patent was recently dropped from the suit, as a result of a summary judgment motion. Both Computer Motion and Intuitive Surgical are conducting discovery and trial is currently scheduled to begin in April 2003.

Bob Duggan, Chairman and CEO of Computer Motion, commented that, "While we are disappointed with both the jury verdict and the judge's opinion regarding our `prosecution laches' defense, we respect the judicial process and are cognizant of the numerous options available to us should we desire to challenge this current outcome." Mr. Duggan continued, "Unlike the Delaware case, where we were the defendant in a dispute over a single patent, in our California case scheduled for trial in April 2003, Computer Motion is the plaintiff and Intuitive Surgical is the defendant in a dispute involving nine patents and over 40 patent claims. The tables have turned."

Computer Motion's products include: the ZEUS(R) Surgical System and accessories for minimally invasive surgery, the HERMES(R) Control Center, a centralized system that enables the surgeon to voice control a network of "smart" medical devices, and the AESOP(R) Robotic Endoscope Positioner, which was also the first surgical robot to be made commercially available in the U.S. The company's newest product, the SOCRATES(TM) Telecollaboration System, is the first device in the newly created FDA category of Robotic Telemedicine Devices, and is designed to facilitate 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.

RBOT-Santa Barbara