Lights, Camera, Karl Storz! Tonight's Episode of `Chicago Hope' to Feature Karl Storz Flexible Endoscope Video Imaging Equipment.

Business Editors &Health/Medical Writers

CULVER CITY, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Jan. 20, 2000

Drama Poignantly Illustrates Real World Applications of

Karl Storz Technology

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc., a world leader in minimally invasive surgery, has been tapped for a special cameo appearance in the Jan. 20 episode of &uot;Chicago Hope,&uot; a top-rated CBS-TV program.

In the scene, Mandy Patinkin (Dr. Jeffrey Geiger) uses a Karl Storz flexible endoscope and video imaging system to perform a bronchoscopic exam on a patient who is having difficulty breathing following a lung resection operation. As a result of the procedure, Patinkin identifies a ruptured suture line in the right main stem bronchus and determines that the patient needs additional surgery.

The scene features a variety of Karl Storz instrumentation, including a flexible bronchoscope, Tricam(R) three-chip video camera system, XENON 300 light source, video monitor and endoscopy cart. Additionally, Karl Storz provided video footage of an actual bronchoscopic procedure, which appears on an O.R. monitor during the scene.

&uot;Minimally invasive technology is playing a leading role in transforming the way doctors function in the O.R., in many cases facilitating the timely diagnosis of life-threatening conditions,&uot; said Carl Liebert, Karl Storz's product marketing manager, video documentation systems.

&uot;While tonight's episode is fictitious, such scenes occur on a daily basis in O.R.s across the country. We are pleased to be involved in providing the viewing public with insight into these exciting developments in the field of endoscopy.&uot;

Liebert attended the actual filming and collaborated extensively with &uot;Chicago Hope's&uot; technical advisor, Linda Kline, R.N., providing clinical input on how to set up the scene. At one point, the scene was being staged so Patinkin and an attending resident would perform the procedure looking through the eyepiece of the endoscope and an attached teaching arm. Liebert counseled that bronchoscopy procedures are now performed using a live video feed, and the scene was modified to use a video endoscopy system.

&uot;The production staff at `Chicago Hope' really benefited from Carl's expertise,&uot; added Kline. &uot;Time is money on the set, but with Carl's input and the user-friendly Karl Storz instrumentation, we were able to put it to good use. We look forward to using Karl Storz instrumentation in future episodes of `Chicago Hope.'&uot;

Karl Storz has secured the permanent placement of its video tower on the &uot;Chicago Hope&uot; set. Additionally, &uot;Chicago Hope's&uot; property master, Ryan Blank, has agreed to use Karl Storz as an endoscopic equipment provider in the future.

Tonight's episode airs at 9 p.m. PT on CBS affiliates across the nation. For more information on &uot;Chicago Hope&uot; and tonight's episode, visit the show's official Web site at www.cbs.com/network/tvshows/mini/chicagohope.

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America Inc. is an affiliate of Karl Storz Endoskope GmbH &Co., an international leader for more than 50 years in reusable endoscope technology, encompassing all endoscopic specialties. Based in Tuttlingen, Germany, Karl Storz Endoskope GmbH &Co. is a family-owned company that designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all its products with an emphasis on visionary design, precision craftsmanship and clinical effectiveness.

For more information, call 800/421-0837, or visit the company's Web site at www.karlstorz.com.