MEDTRONIC ACQUIRES DRAGER CATHETER PRODUCT LINES FOR MONITORING FLUID BUILDUP IN BRAIN.

MINNEAPOLIS--(HealthWire)--Aug. 20, 1996--In a move to expand its neurological product lines, Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced its acquisition of the assets of the Sensors Business Unit of Drager Medical Electronics of Best, the Netherlands. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Drager sensors unit manufactures invasive pressure transducers consisting of a silicon chip sensor and connector incorporated into a catheter-shaped housing that can be maneuvered or implanted in the brain to assess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulation. The monitoring of intracranial pressure is an important first step in beginning treatment for hydrocephalus or brain injury.

Through its sensors unit, Drager Medical Electronics offers two families of catheter-based pressure-monitoring products, both designed to be compatible with modern external patient monitoring equipment. Microtransducer catheters (MTC(R)) for neurological, cardiovascular and urodynamic applications are grouped in one product family. The second features the Ventcontrol MTC(R) designed for placement in the ventricles of the brain, thus enabling continuous drainage of cerebrospinal fluid while simultaneously monitoring intracranial pressure. A Parcontrol MTC(R) will soon be available for monitoring intracranial pressure following parenchymal placement. Gary East, vice president and general manager of Medtronic PS Medical, said his organization is pleased to add the Drager products to Medtronic's current line of neurosurgical critical care products. He added that the Ventcontrol and Parcontrol products would "combine with our very successful Becker external drainage and monitoring system to anchor our growing product line for treating critical care needs."

Medtronic PS Medical, a business unit of Medtronic's Neurological Business, is headquartered in Goleta, CA. It leads the world in devices for treatment of hydrocephalus, a disorder in which cerebrospinal fluid fails to be adequately absorbed by the brain tissues. Congenital hydrocephalus affects 1 in 400 infants and many neurosurgeons note that adult or acquired hydrocephalus, which can occur as a result of trauma, the aging process, or disease, is equally represented in their practices. Medtronic PS Medical's neurosurgical and vascular access products are available worldwide.

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company specializing in implantable and invasive therapies. Its Internet address is http://www.medtronic.com.

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Medtronic, Inc.

Dale Beumer

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Dick Reid

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