INTEGRA DEBUTS LINE OF CAROTID ENDARTERECTOMY SHUNTS.

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: IART) has announced that its Integra LifeSciences division has launched its Brisman-Nova(tm), Hallin(tm) and Loftus(tm) Carotid Endarterectomy Shunts, which join the Sundt(tm) shunt to form a broad line of carotid shunts.

A carotid endarterectomy is a surgical procedure to prevent stroke in which a surgeon removes fatty deposits from one of the two main arteries in the neck supplying blood to the brain. The buildup of fat and other material on the artery walls is caused by atherosclerosis, commonly known as "hardening of the arteries."

Industry sources estimate that approximately 100,000 carotid endarterectomies are performed in the United States each year. In many of these procedures, the flow of blood is diverted through a temporary shunt to allow the blood to flow to the brain throughout the procedure.

"I am very excited about the launch of these additional product lines, as they will provide Integra with a broader line of carotid shunts to market to cardiovascular surgeons," Stuart M. Essig, president and CEO of Integra said. "Integra has been selling its Sundt(tm) carotid shunts with great success, and we expect that the launch of these additional product lines will provide further sales growth in our carotid shunt product line".

Integra's carotid shunts are designed to provide for improved visualization of blood flow and reduced vessel trauma during a carotid endarterectomy. The Sundt(tm) internal and external shunts are already well established in the market and unique in their spring reinforcement which resists kinking and allows closure of the vessel to approximately 5 mm prior to shunt removal.

The Sundt(tm) shunt is also available with a non-reinforced segment for occlusion in the center of the device.

The Hallin(tm) shunt has a permanent loop configuration of the center portion of the shunt and the venting side arm. The Brisman-Nova(tm) shunts are similar to the Sundt(tm) shunt, but has an inflation balloon. An inflation balloon provides an atraumatic method for preventing backflow of blood around the distal end of the shunt in some cases.

The Brisman-Nova(tm), Hallin(tm) and Loftus(tm) Carotid Endarterectomy Shunts will be sold principally through Integra LifeSciences's existing network of cardiovascular dealers, the same network that sells the company's Sundt(tm) carotid shunt, Rivetti-Levinson(r) IntraLuminal Shunt and Helistat(r) and Helitene(r) collagen hemostats in the United States.

Integra LifeSciences Holdings develops, manufactures and markets medical devices, implants and biomaterials. The company's operations consist of Integra NeuroSciences, which is a leading provider of implants, instruments, and monitors used in neurosurgery, neurotrauma, and related critical care, and Integra LifeSciences, which develops and manufactures a variety of medical products and devices, including products based on the company's proprietary tissue regeneration technology.

Integra NeuroSciences sells its products primarily through a direct sales organization, and Integra LifeSciences sells primarily through strategic alliances and distributors. Manufacturing and research facilities are located in Plainsboro, NJ, San Diego, CA, Anasco, Puerto Rico, Andover, England and Exton, PA. The company has approximately 475 permanent employees.

For more information, visit http://www.integra-LS.com or call 609/936-2481.