World's First Series of Pediatric Heart Surgeries Performed With Robotic Assistance.

Business Editors & High-Tech/Health/Medical Writers

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 13, 2000

Computer Motion's ZEUS Robotic Surgical System Enables Closed-Chest

Cardiac Procedure on Infants to Repair Congenital Heart Defect 

Computer Motion Inc. (Nasdaq:RBOT), the leader in medical robotics, today announced the completion of the world's first series of pediatric cardiac procedures using robotic assistance.

Francois Laborde, MD, Ph.D., chief of Cardiac Surgery at L'Institut Mutualiste Montsouris Chiosy (Paris), performed seven fully endoscopic closures of the patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) using Computer Motion's ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System.

These historic procedures were performed entirely through three tiny incisions, each only 0.2 inches long, eliminating the need for a 4- to 5-inch incision that would normally be used in such a repair. Professor Laborde reported that the patients, ranging from 7 months old to 24 months old, are recovering quickly and, much to the delight of their parents, will be free of the unsightly and potentially debilitating incision that normally accompanies this type of procedure.

"We are very excited about these successful procedures and the new standard of care that can be enabled with the ZEUS platform," stated Professor Laborde. "With these robotic instruments, I have a new level of precision and control that is impossible with conventional instruments. In the future, I plan to use this technology on all my patients with similar indications."

The development of the cardiovascular system during fetal life is extremely complex. As a result, about 32,000 babies born each year will be plagued with a serious form of congenital heart disease. One such condition is called patent ductus arteriosis. This occurs when the blood vessel that joins the pulmonary artery with the aorta remains open after birth, instead of naturally closing as the infant develops. This defect can cause a variety of dysfunctions including hypertension and developmental problems.

In the PDA closure procedure, a surgeon will normally make a large thoracotomy (4-5 inch incision to separate the rib cage) and spread the ribs to gain access to the baby's aorta. The large thoracotomy is associated with significant pain and trauma to the patient. In addition, such an incision at an early age increases the potential for healing and developmental complications.

In the robotic procedure with the ZEUS System, three 0.2-inch incisions are used and no thoracotomy or rib spreading is required. These tiny holes heal quickly with very little pain and scarring, and significantly reduce the need for pain relief medication. Robotic instruments are used to dissect and cauterize the tissue surrounding the operative site and then close the abnormal connection.

Yulun Wang, Ph.D., founder and chief technical officer of Computer Motion, stated: "We are extremely pleased to see indications for the ZEUS platform continue to expand. This procedure marks a new application for our technology, which will provide significant benefits to patients, in this case young children. Reducing pain, recovery times and lifelong scars for these infants is particularly gratifying."

Robert W. Duggan, chairman and CEO of Computer Motion, continued: "Professor Laborde and his team have taken a prudent and measured approach to integrating robotics into their surgical practice. They were well-prepared and spent time training for the procedure. We could not be more pleased with this team as a partner and leader of the ZEUS procedure development effort."

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) study with ZEUS. Computer Motion and Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) are co-marketing ZEUS. The company's Internet 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.