Triage Granted Two Key U.S. Patents Further Strengthening Spinal Patent Portfolio.

IRVINE, Calif. -- Triage Medical Inc. today announced the United States Patent Office has notified the company that two new patents have been issued titled "Proximal Anchors for Bone Fixation System," which includes 20 claims, and "Spinal Stabilization Device," which includes 17 claims. These key patents strengthen the intellectual property surrounding the use of CLASP(R) Technology in the company's spine product line.

Triage's patented CLASP (Compression Locking Anchor with Secondary Purchase) Technology is utilized in the company's Compression Devices for spinal stabilization. Studies have shown CLASP Technology provides significantly greater compression strength in bone fixation than currently used devices. These studies also indicate that CLASP Technology provides this enhanced strength regardless of bone quality. To the company's knowledge, no other fixation device can provide the strength of the CLASP Technology even in the presence of osteoporotic bone. Osteoporosis is a degenerative condition usually associated with aging, which results in weak and/or brittle bone quality.

Commenting on the newly issued patents, Triage President and Chief Operating Officer Chip Stevens said, "These two patents support our continuing efforts to develop minimally invasive devices for spinal applications using CLASP Technology."

Minimally Invasive Spinal Products

Triage has developed the TELEPORT Minimally Invasive Spinal Access System to provide an access system allowing the Triage CS and LS Compression Devices a means to be implanted in a minimally invasive manner. This percutaneous Access System allows the surgeon access to the spine by dilating through multiple port components that require only a very small puncture site. Several devices are under development for use with the TELEPORT MIS System including the Posterior Lumbar Support Device, developed to lend posterior fixation to lumbar fusions, and the Posterior Cervical Device, developed in order to provide the surgeon with a minimally invasive way to add stability to an anterior multi-level cervical fusion. When used in combination with the TELEPORT Minimally Invasive Spinal Access Technology, these compression devices can be implanted posteriorly in the cervical or lumbar spine in a percutaneous procedure requiring only a small incision. The company is currently awaiting Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") marketing clearance for the cervical application and plan a limited market launch early in 2006.

The Triage Dynamic Stabilization System is also designed to be implanted through the TELEPORT System. This feature makes this Triage System the only truly minimally invasive Dynamic Stabilization System.

Commenting further on this product, Stevens said: "Given the third-party estimates of the size of the Dynamic Stabilization Market, a truly minimally invasive system that limits painful motion for stenotic patients is certain to be well-received by the spinal market. Our Dynamic Stabilization System is currently in the final development stage and will start clinical studies in early 2006."

Triage Medical Inc. is a closely held, private company based in Irvine. Triage develops and markets products based upon CLASP Technology for a broad range of orthopedic applications. For additional information about Triage, please visit the company's Web site at www.triagemed.com.