University Hospital Gasthuisberg Leuven Begins Robotic Cardiac Program Utilizing Computer Motion Technology to Deliver Increased Patient Benefits.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

LEUVEN, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2000

Surgeon Performs World's First Pericardial Window Procedure With

the Computer Motion ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System

The University Hospital Gasthuisberg Leuven announced the completion of the world's first robotically assisted pericardial window procedure.

Paul Herijgers, M.D., PhD, performed the surgery through three 5-mm ports with the Computer Motion ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System on a patient suffering from recurrent malignant pericardial effusion.

Pericardial effusion occurs when fluid accumulates in the pericardial sac, the membrane surrounding the heart, which can lead to heart failure. The condition can be treated with percutaneous pericardiocentesis, but when it occurs repeatedly, the surgeon creates a window between the pericardial sac and the pleural cavity, which has a much larger capacity.

In this case, Prof. Herijgers used the ZEUS System to make a 3.5-cm by 2.5-cm incision in the patient's pericardial sac to remove the excess fluid.

"The ZEUS System was very effective in this procedure, and I was able to avoid making the standard 6 to 8 cm incision in the patient's chest," said Prof. Herijgers. "This minimally invasive approach decreases patient pain, trauma and recovery time. I plan to continue using this technology in patients with similar indications and expect to evolve to performing more advanced cardiac procedures with the ZEUS System."

Earlier the same day, Prof. Flameng and Prof. Herijgers also performed a robotically assisted minimally invasive mitral valve cardiac surgery with the Computer Motion AESOP(R) Robotic Endoscope Positioner. The AESOP System is a surgeon voice-controlled robotic arm designed to position the endoscope (a slender optical tube inserted into the patient's body to view the operation on a video monitor) during minimally invasive surgery.

Prof. Herijgers commented: "The AESOP System allows the surgeon to maintain direct control over the operative view and to provide predictable scope movements. Simple voice commands make controlling the robot very natural and seamless."

University Hospital Gasthuisberg Leuven first integrated robotics into its cardiac program just four months ago as a strategic means to advance its minimally invasive cardiac program and to deliver improved patient outcomes.

"Their rapid rate of technology integration and early clinical success is another example of the validity and effectiveness of the Computer Motion Evolve Cardiac Continuum program," stated Robert W. Duggan, Chairman and CEO of Computer Motion.

"AESOP is an effective tool for cardiac teams to become familiarized with robotics and minimally invasive techniques, leading them to new minimally invasive cardiac procedures with the ZEUS Robotic Surgical System, such as totally endoscopic beating heart bypass surgery.

"University Hospital Gasthuisberg Leuven is following the Evolve Continuum and taking a gradient approach to learning new surgical techniques and procedures, and we are proud to have them as a pioneering partner," Duggan added.

Computer Motion, the world leader in medical robotics, is creating the cornerstone technologies and products for the Intelligent Operating Room(TM). The company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary computer-enhanced and robotic surgical systems, which enhance surgeons' capabilities, improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Computer Motion's products include the voice-controlled AESOP(R) endoscope positioning system; the HERMES(TM) Control Center, a centralized system that enables the surgeon to voice control a network of "smart" medical devices; and the ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System for new minimally invasive microsurgery procedures, such as endoscopic coronary artery bypass grafting (E-CABG(TM)).

ZEUS is CE-Marked for commercial sale in the European Community, and the company has completed an FDA-approved Phase 1 Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) coronary bypass study and has initiated an IDE mitral valve surgery study with ZEUS. Computer Motion and Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) are co-marketing ZEUS. The company's Web site is www.ComputerMotion.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the company's business and products. Actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors, including the risks of competition and competing technologies, duration or suspension of clinical studies, regulatory clearances and approvals, and physician, hospital and payor acceptance of the company's products. These factors and other risks inherent in the company's business are described from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.