New Seattle Systems Offers Prosthetic Hip Patients Increased Level of Comfort and Mobility; Unique Energy Storing Design Perfected by Trusted O&P Leader.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

POULSBO, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 20, 2003

Seattle Systems, Inc., a Northwest-based company supplying trusted orthotics, prosthetics and orthopedic products to America's finest healthcare providers, today launched the newly improved Littig Hip System(TM), the first major product launch following the completed amalgamation of Seattle Systems and United States Manufacturing Company (USMC). Previously produced by USMC, the newly improved Seattle Systems' Littig Hip System offers a new level of comfort and mobility previously unobtainable for two of the most challenging to fit prosthetic patients -- hip disarticulation and hemipelvectomy amputees.

Invented by respected prosthetist Dave Littig, C.P. and patented by Seattle Systems, the newly improved Littig Hip System has passed a battery of intensive tests designed to give practitioners the utmost confidence in the product. With enhanced durability, practitioners working with the Littig Hip System can offer prosthetic hip patients a better outcome through an innovative design as well as a robust product that's setting a new industry standard.

The Littig Hip System with its energy-storing design and adjustability is a truly unique, industry-leading product. The product's flexible, carbon composite strut design returns energy in the form of flexing and bending, much like the leaf spring in a car absorbs shock but returns that energy, keeping the wheels on the road. The flexible carbon fiber strut absorbs, captures and releases energy generated in the process of the user's simple weight-bearing movement, such as walking.

Working with an experienced prosthetist, a well-fitted composite hip system can utilize flex in the strut to more easily enable a free extension, eliminating issues such as inadequate toe clearance during the step movement. The Seattle Systems Littig Hip System can be of nearly equal length to the normal leg thus minimizing gait deviations commonly associated with old-style prosthetics, such as stride vaulting or hip hiking.

Energy-cost tests have demonstrated that the amount of energy required for use of a prosthesis incorporating a Seattle Systems' energy-storing Littig Hip System is considerably lessened because more of the energy generated in movement is recycled, helping lower patients' basic metabolic rate and actually reducing oxygen consumption rates. Patients report added energy levels and enhanced lifestyle due to lessened daily movement fatigue.

Another unique feature of the Littig Hip System is the adjustability. Through one simple adjustment, the practitioner has a wide range of flexion/extension, abduction/adduction and internal/external rotation. By adjusting a single screw during alignment, the practitioner can easily and quickly achieve an optimum hip joint/socket relationship.

"Offering a dramatic improvement in gait, tangential health problems such as back pain and abnormal wear and tear to the joints can be virtually eliminated by the improved Littig Hip System," says Dave Hensley, Seattle Systems Educator and a certified prosthetist. "The bonus to composite strut hip patients is that energy saved in one area, movement at the office for example, can be applied in another area, with the potential to offer renewed enjoyment of extracurricular recreational activities like sports."

The New Seattle Systems, Inc.

Based in the Northwest with sales offices worldwide, the New Seattle Systems is a leading American manufacturer of orthopedic and physical rehabilitation products.

As of Q3 2003, the New Seattle Systems proudly announced completion of a major restructure, including the raising of new capital. With this restructure, the New Seattle Systems finalized the operational integration of its merger with United States Manufacturing Company. Moving forward, the New Seattle Systems expects to earn expanded levels of confidence and product satisfaction from health practitioners worldwide.

The New Seattle Systems already provides trusted products with proven designs that meet or exceed industry standards for quality and ease of use for orthopedics, podiatric, orthotics and prosthetics professionals around the globe. The wide-ranging product line includes orthotics bracing, cold therapy, sports medicine and artificial limb components and systems.

For more information, please visit our web site at www.seattle-systems.com.