UTICA, NY, Feb 15, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --

CONMED Corporation (NASDAQ: CNMD) today announced that its CONMED Linvatec business unit will formally launch five new medical devices in its Sports Medicine and Capital product lines at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in San Diego, CA on February 15-19, 2011.

"These new product introductions will allow surgeons to perform arthroscopic repairs more easily through improved product designs and innovation," said Joseph Darling, President of the ConMed Linvatec division. "They are also a wonderful example of the breadth and scope of our technical expertise, as these product advancements span shoulder, knee and hip repair. The consistent introduction of high-quality new products will fuel CONMED's long-term top-line growth."

The following products are being launched at AAOS:

SPORTS MEDICINE -- ARTHROSCOPY

The Concept(R) Suture Passer -- The Concept(R) Suture Passer represents the latest innovation in suture passing for rotator cuff repair. The product's active window captures and retrieves sutures for a simple one-handed pass, eliminating the need for a separate, and often time-consuming, suture retrieval step. The Concept(R) Suture Passer's unique needle design will not damage the suture in any way, allowing the suture to be passed in any location without compromising its integrity.

The Sequent(TM) Meniscal Repair System -- This system offers proprietary suture-locking implant cleats that will provide a knotless repair and allow the surgeon to complete an entire meniscal repair with one device without leaving the joint. This device also reduces the risk of failures experienced with currently available devices when entering and leaving the joint. In addition, the Sequent(TM) Meniscal Repair System should enable surgeons to minimize meniscal and chondral trauma while simplifying the meniscal repair procedure. Due to its enhanced functionality, the device offers significant cost savings potential through a reduction in procedural costs and product inventory.

CrossFT BC(TM) - Biocomposite Suture Anchor for Rotator Cuff Repair -- The CrossFT BC(TM) System is designed for primary, medial or lateral fixation in rotator cuff repair. These anchors are comprised of CONMED Linvatec's proprietary MicroTCP technology, making them the strongest suture anchors on the market; with increased absorption speed when compared to other market alternatives. This product's unique design is constructed of a dual thread profile for optimized fixation in different bone densities. In addition, it is the smallest triple loaded biocomposite rotator cuff anchor on the market, allowing for less invasive and more versatile repairs.

2.8 and 3.3 mm PopLok(R) Knotless Suture Anchors -- These knotless anchors are ideal for repair of the labrum in both the shoulder and hip. Capable of being single and double loaded with CONMED Linvatec's HiFi(R) High Strength Suture, these deployable anchors are both small in size and versatile in functionality. The 2.8mm design boasts the smallest size double loaded knotless anchor available on the market.

The PopLok(R) Knotless design traps sutures within the anchor providing secure fixation regardless of bone quality. Internal testing of the product demonstrated a 99.99% probability of secure suture fixation, which should position this product as significantly more reliable than the currently available market leading product.

POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

PRO6140/PRO6240 Pin Drivers -- These new pin drivers allow clinicians the ease of having to utilize only one device, with a range of 1.8-4.0mm, when conducting procedures, such as total joint arthroplasty, trauma, sports medicine surgeries, as well as small bone orthopedics. Unlike other currently available devices, ease of use and dependability are paramount with these drivers, which feature no manual adjustments and a tapered design for a better line of sight.

In addition to introducing the above new products, the CONMED Linvatec business unit will feature interactive surgeon procedural demonstrations throughout the AAOS Annual Meeting. These demonstrations will take place at the ConMed Linvatec technical exhibit, Booth 2534.

CONMED Profile

CONMED is a medical technology company with an emphasis on surgical devices and equipment for minimally invasive procedures and monitoring. The Company's products serve the clinical areas of arthroscopy, powered surgical instruments, electrosurgery, cardiac monitoring disposables, endosurgery and endoscopic technologies. They are used by surgeons and physicians in a variety of specialties including orthopedics, general surgery, gynecology, neurosurgery, and gastroenterology. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 3,300 employees distribute its products worldwide from several manufacturing locations.

Forward Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the Company's performance on a going-forward basis. The forward-looking statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results, performance or trends, to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements herein or in previous disclosures. The Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking statements will actually occur or prove to be correct. In addition to general industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one or more of the assumptions stated above, to prove to be correct; (ii) the risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009; (iii) cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers; (iv) timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition or other transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to devise and execute strategies to respond to market conditions.

CONTACT:
CONMED Corporation
Robert Shallish
Chief Financial Officer
315-624-3206

FD
Investors:
Brian Ritchie
212-850-5600

SOURCE: CONMED Corporation