Laserscope introduces new AlphaStar operating room table; first new operating room table for U.S. hospitals in 5 years.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--May 28, 1997--Laserscope (NASDAQ:LSCP) today announced the availability of AlphaStar(TM), the first new operating room table for U.S. hospitals in 5 years.

AlphaStar, which received 510(k) marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in March 1997, was previewed at last month's Association of Operating Room Nurses (AORN) convention in Anaheim, Calif.

"We believe that AlphaStar is the most technologically advanced operating room table ever introduced into the U.S. market," said Robert V. McCormick, Laserscope President and CEO. "The reviews it received at the AORN convention truly exceeded our expectations."

AlphaStar was designed to Laserscope's unique specifications by Maquet AG, the leading German manufacturer of surgical tables.

"The new table, with its advanced automation and electronic features, should allow us to more effectively compete in the U.S. surgical table market -- a market estimated to be $100 million in annual sales," said Mr. McCormick.

AlphaStar, whose state-of-the-art functions are directed by any one of three ergonomic control systems, can be configured into more patient orientations than any other operating room table in the U.S. market, making it the most versatile product of its kind.

"The unrivaled flexibility and modularity of AlphaStar provides improved patient positioning and comfort for a broad range of surgical procedures, including thoracic surgery and kidney surgery, which in ticantly enhances OB/GYN procedures. X-ray and C-arm positioning are also improved. Perhaps even more important, patients are more comfortable while surgeons and nursesoned.

"The typical operating room table isite materials and technologically advanced el McCormick. "It should have great appeal to surgeons, nurses and hospital administrators throughout the U.S."

Laserscope's Ascent Medical Systems (AMS) providestems. Laserscope also designs, manufactures, sells and services a broad line of medical laser systems and related energy delivery devices for the office, outpatient surgical center and hospital markets.

Statements in this announcement about future results are preliminary and based on partial information and assumptions. Except for the historical information presented, the matters discussed in this announcement contain forward-looking statements that involveition of new health care standards,

and other e upon request from Laserscope's Investor Relations Department.

CONTACT: La John Lockhart, 800/600-7111