HydroCision is Awarded its 25th Patent.

U.S. Patent is Issued for Fluidjet Devices for 'Open' And 'Minimally Invasive Surgery' (MIS)

BILLERICA, Mass. -- HydroCision[R] Inc. (www.hydrocision.com) announced today that it has been awarded U.S. Patent No. 7,122,017 for the novel use of fluidjet devices in 'open' and Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS). Fluidjet products using HydroCision's proprietary technology have now been successfully used in more than 15,000 spine, arthroscopic and wound debridement procedures combined--thus firmly establishing HydroSurgery as a major platform in surgery. The Company's family of fluidjet products covered in its expanding worldwide intellectual property portfolio empowers surgeons to simultaneously cut, ablate, and remove hard and soft tissue quickly, safely, and effectively-- without the collateral thermal or mechanical trauma of other surgical modalities.

U.S. Patent No. 7,122,017 is the 25th that has issued or been allowed to HydroCision, expanding its worldwide portfolio of intellectual property. The patent is the third issued to the Company that covers HydroCision's spine products portfolio and all of its single-use products using fluidjets. The portfolio of issued, spine-related patents have in excess of 80 claims that protect the Company's significant inventions related to fluidjets in air or water, the combination of straight and curved tubes, nozzle and evacuation-tube configurations, rotatability, and movement of the tips in devices for surgery. The SpineJet families of products covered by the portfolio of patents are used in 'open' and 'MIS' discectomy, fusion and nucleus replacement procedures.

"We are very pleased that we have been awarded additional and broad patent protection, which guards the basis of our core technology in various product configurations in the spine market and throughout surgery," said Douglas J. Daniels, President and Chief Executive Officer of HydroCision.

Mr. Daniels noted that, while high-pressured water jets have been employed for many years in industrial-cutting applications, this technology was not easily adapted for use in medical procedures due to the unique technical requirements of 'open' and 'MIS' surgery: (1) the working fluid must be sterile; (2) the devices must be small and easily maneuverable; (3) the pump system must be compact enough to fit in any operating room or outpatient center; and, (4) the devices must be cost-effective.

"HydroCision has overcome formidable obstacles in transferring fluidjet technology from industrial to surgical applications by creating important technological innovations," added Mr. Daniels. "An increasing number of neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons and back interventionists have adopted the SpineJet products in a variety of spine procedures, including open and MIS fusion and discectomy. We are pleased to be able to further enhance the considerable intellectual property that has established HydroSurgery as a safe and effective modality by which surgeons can achieve favorable outcomes for their patients."

About HydroCision

HydroCision is a leading designer, developer and distributor of fluidjet-based surgical devices. The Company believes its proprietary fluidjet technology is the basis of a new surgical modality, "HydroSurgery", because of its compelling features and versatility. The Company has developed a broad range of fluidjet-based products to meet the needs of multiple specialties.