Medtronic Acquires New Device Technology to Treat Glaucoma.

MINNEAPOLIS -- CellPlant(TM) Aqueous Stent clinical trials planned to begin

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT), today announced that it has acquired the intellectual property for the investigational CellPlant(TM)Aqueous Stent from Wound Healing of Oklahoma, Inc. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. The CellPlant technology will allow Medtronic to evaluate a new generation of glaucoma treatment devices at a time when surgical procedures are becoming more prevalent for glaucoma management. Glaucoma is the second-leading cause of blindness in the United States, affecting an estimated 3 million people.

Medtronic will initiate clinical trials of the new technology after FDA study approval. If successful, the clinical studies will allow Medtronic to file for regulatory approval and begin working with physicians to treat glaucoma patients.

The CellPlant stent is designed to operate like a microscopic piping system that drains excess fluid produced within the eye (glaucoma occurs when fluid pressure builds uncontrollably, damaging the optic nerve and potentially causing loss of vision or blindness). Other, currently available glaucoma devices can cause scar tissue to develop when the eye recognizes them as foreign objects. The CellPlant stent consists of a proprietary polymer that may be better accepted by human tissue. The polymer is intended to prevent cell adhesion and create a permanent opening that improves fluid outflow from the eye. Also, the new stent is intended to eliminate the need for a filtering bleb, a permanent, unsightly blister created during surgery that enables drainage postoperatively.

"This new technology may give surgeons another option in long-term management of glaucoma and may improve the effectiveness of eye surgeries for patients," said Randy Mansfield, vice president and general manager of Medtronic Ophthalmics. "As a new therapy, it may help patients whose medical needs have not been met successfully by existing treatments."

According to Mansfield, most glaucoma patients rely on medications as a first-line treatment to reduce either aqueous fluid inflow or outflow. He points out, however, that medication side effects, cost and patient dosing compliance are concerns in ongoing treatments.

The stent is implanted during a standard trabeculectomy, the most commonly performed surgery to treat glaucoma. The stent is then placed beneath the trabecular flap offering a controlled outflow of aqueous humor, the fluid between the crystalline lens and the cornea. The stent is intended to increase flow rate as intraocular pressure builds.

"Pilot trials indicate the potential success of the CellPlant stent in the treatment of nearly all categories of glaucoma," said Dr. Thomas Samuelson, a glaucoma specialist with Minnesota Eye Consultants who will be heading one of three CellPlant clinical evaluation teams.

Medtronic Ophthalmics also produces the Tono-Pen(R)XL, the leading portable applanation tonometer for monitoring intraocular pressure and ENDOLaser, an endoscopic laser treatment designed to reduce the production of aqueous fluid.

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Its website is www.medtronic.com. Medtronic Ophthalmics, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida is a division of Medtronic, Inc.

Any statements made about the company's anticipated financial results and regulatory approvals are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2004. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.