Elekta and 4-D Neuroimaging Announce a Strategic Agreement to Distribute MEG Systems in the U.S.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

STOCKHOLM, Sweden--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 20, 2002

Elekta Instruments, Inc., a subsidiary of Elekta AB (STHLM: EKTA.B), and 4-D Neuroimaging today joined forces to offer a complete non-invasive solution for a range of neurosurgical procedures.

Through the integration of non-invasive neurological diagnosis of brain disease by magnetoencephalography (MEG) with minimally invasive radiosurgical treatment by Leksell Gamma Knife(R), physicians and hospitals will now be able to offer diagnostic and treatment pathways for a number of brain diseases that are less invasive, less costly and more efficient than current approaches. The scope of the agreement encompasses marketing, sales, support and development programs.

D. Scott Buchanan, Ph.D., 4-D's Chief Executive Officer commented; "This agreement provides an avenue to expand our coverage of the neurological and neurosurgical community at an opportune time following the recent announcement of CPT codes for MEG. We feel that by working with Elekta's highly respected marketing and sales organization, and bringing the value of MEG's non-invasive approach to Elekta's installed base of customers we will accelerate the clinical use of MEG.

"MEG allows physicians to non-invasively identify and localize sources of abnormal brain activity, such as epileptic foci, as well as essential eloquent cortical areas within the brain. We believe that the combination of the 4-D MEG and Leksell Gamma Knife offers unique possibilities to diagnose and treat functional disorders in the brain such as epilepsy. The MEG has the potential to further enhance the utilization of Leksell Gamma Knife including new indications. This agreement is a milestone for non-invasive neurosurgery and provides a natural extension to our very successful relationship in the distribution of 4-D MEG systems in Japan," stated Tomas Puusepp, President and CEO, Elekta North and South America.

Elekta is the world's largest supplier of neurosurgical and radiosurgical solutions and the 2nd largest supplier of radiation oncology. Elekta Precise Solutions includes a comprehensive range of non-invasive cancer care and minimally invasive neurosurgery systems including radiosurgery and stereotaxy, backed by a global network of clinical, technical and financial support services.

4-D Neuroimaging is dedicated to the development of MEG systems, which measure magnetic fields in the human brain and body and assist in the diagnosis of a potentially broad range of medical disorders. More than 250 insurance companies have approved reimbursement on a case-by-case basis for certain MEG procedures performed with Magnes and Vectorview systems, and the American Medical Association has approved the issuance of billing codes, commonly referred to as Common Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes, for the use of MEG, (also known as magnetic source imaging,MSI).

More information about Elekta can be found at: www.elekta.com

Additional information about 4-D and its products can be found on its web site: www.4dneuroimaging.com.