I.S.G. Technologies Inc. - Image Guided Technologies Joins Surgical Navigation Network.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 1999--I.S.G. Technologies(NASDAQ:ISGTF) (TSE:ISO.) Surgical Navigation Specialists Inc. (SNS), a subsidiary of ISG Technologies, announced today that Image Guided Technologies, Inc. (IGT) of Boulder, Colorado, manufacturer of state-of-the art 3D optical localization systems, has signed an agreement to become a member company of the Surgical Navigation Network (SNN). The SNN is a group of medical equipment companies who agree to use the "plug and play", Windows NT-based image-guided surgery software produced by the SNS as the common platform for their image guidance applications. These companies integrate the SNN platform to their individual core products, such as surgical microscopes, instruments, implants, EEG patient monitoring applications, and others.

Under the terms of the agreement, IGT supplies its FlashPoint(R) optical localizer and related surgical instruments. IGT engineered its innovative FlashPoint technology to provide real-time coordinate navigation resulting in increased surgeon confidence, speed and precision.

The localizer systems consist of a number of markers Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in the current systems -- mounted on a pointer device or surgical instrument; a reference device to dynamically track patients' movements; a camera array to detect the positions of the instruments in space via the LEDs; a microprocessor-based control system; and an interface software package.

Through IGT's surgical instrument subsidiary, Springfield Surgical Instruments, IGT will provide to SNN member companies, a broad array of proprietary, specialized surgical instruments. These instruments are for use in image guided surgical applications related to neurosurgery, orthopedics, spine, ENT sinus endoscopy, maxillofacial and radiosurgery. IGT will also provide "custom digitizing" for customers wishing to convert standard surgical instruments into specialized instruments for use in the image guided surgery environment. Additionally, IGT provides a Surgical Instrument repair program for image guided surgery instruments at either its eastern or western location.

Many of these instrument patterns are available in either wireless or wired models. All patterns feature IGT's patented autoclavable Surepoint(R) Ceramic LEDs. For additional information on Image Guided Technologies, visit IGT's website at http://www.imageguided.com.

"The SNN welcomes IGT, a leader in 3D optical localization technology," says Mr. Reinhard Schmidt, President and General Manager of SNS. "The broad range of easily integrated instruments offered by IGT enhances the scope of the SNN image guided surgery solution, delivering the flexibility and ease of use needed in today's busy operating room environments."

"IGT looks forward to working with the SNN," says Mr. Paul Ray, Chief Executive Officer of IGT. "We are excited about integrating our proprietary technology with an open, Windows NT-based solution that will enable hospitals to benefit from a more streamlined flow of information, leading to enhanced productivity."

Surgical Navigation Specialists Inc. produces and markets plug and play, open-standard image-guided surgery technology and related services. Surgical Navigation Specialists Inc. is the provider of leading-edge image-guided surgery technology to the Surgical Navigation Network.

It is a joint venture by I.S.G. Technologies Inc. and Carl Zeiss, Inc.; I.S.G. Technologies is the majority shareholder of the company. Information on ISG Technologies, including news releases, are available at ISG's internet website, http://www.isgtec.com.

Image Guided Technologies designs, develops, manufactures and markets products for real-time, precise, free-hand, localization of points in 3D space. In medical applications, its FlashPoint(R) system determines the position of specially designed surgical instruments relative to a patient's anatomy and CT or MR images during image guided surgical procedures. In industrial applications such as parts inspection and motion tracking, the Company's Pixsys(TM) localizer measures the position or shape of objects in 3D space. Brimfield Precision, Inc., a subsidiary of Image Guided Technologies, is an ISO 9001 certified manufacturer of general and minimally invasive surgical instruments, and orthopedic implants.

The Surgical Navigation Network, the SNN logo and design, the SNN Scout and the SNN Scout logo design are all trademarks of Surgical Navigation Specialists Inc.