UTICA, NY, Feb 25, 2009 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- CONMED Corporation (NASDAQ: CNMD) today announced that its CONMED Linvatec business unit will launch six new medical devices in its Sports Medicine and Capital product lines at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Las Vegas, NV on February 25 - 28, 2009.

"These new products demonstrate CONMED's commitment to innovation, and to providing surgeons with first-in-class solutions," said Joseph Corasanti, President and CEO of CONMED Corporation. "The set of products unveiled at AAOS is further evidence of why we believe our investment in R&D has CONMED well-positioned to continue its long-term growth and profitability."

The products being launched at AAOS are:

Sports Medicine - Arthroscopy

Hip Arthroscopy System - CONMED Linvatec now offers a complete system for labral repair in hip arthroscopy. The CONMED Linvatec hip system includes the Bio Mini Revo(R) suture anchor, suture passers, including the extended length Spectrum MVP(TM), and a full line of extended length accessory instrumentation. Extended length shaver blades, burs and a disposable hip kit, along with a slotted cannula system, offer surgeons a comprehensive line of innovative solutions for arthroscopic labral repairs during hip arthroscopy.

Paladin(TM) Suture Anchor - The Paladin(TM) suture anchor is the latest addition to CONMED Linvatec's rotator cuff repair-related product portfolio. In order to broadly fulfill surgical needs, the Paladin will be available in two sizes, and is offered with a self-drilling punch-tap for one step insertion during shoulder repair. Utilizing CONMED Linvatec's patented bioabsorbable self-reinforced Poly Lactic acid (PLA), the Paladin(TM) suture anchor further demonstrates CONMED Linvatec's commitment to bringing products to market with a superior biomaterial advantage. The Paladin(TM) Suture Anchor is currently pending 510k approval.

Zen(TM) Wireless Footswitch and Adaptor - The Zen(TM) Wireless Footswitch and Adaptor eliminates the need for wires from the footswitch to the power console units and incorporates the power of Zigbee(R) communications technology to provide three pedal control of CONMED Linvatec's power control consoles and hand pieces. This is important in a variety of orthopedic, spine and ENT applications because it creates valuable space within the operating room without the need for special hardware. The adaptor easily and quickly installs directly to the console and wirelessly connects to the footswitch with the simple press of a button and tap of the pedal. The Zen(TM) Wireless Footswitch and Adaptor are currently pending 510k approval.

ReAct(TM) Arthroscopic Shaver Blades - Unlike conventional shaver blades that only cut by rotation, CONMED Linvatec's new ReAct(TM) Arthroscopic Shaver Blades have the ability to reciprocate while rotating. The ReAct(TM) blade's novel blade hub design provides a more aggressive and faster cutting action with unsurpassed resistance to clogging. This could potentially reduce the length of time for certain surgical procedures.

Powered Surgical Instruments

Mpower(R) 2 Battery Power System - Mpower(R) 2 is the latest in CONMED Linvatec's next generation battery power systems for large and small bone orthopedic and spine surgical applications. It has been designed with CONMED Linvatec's unique sealed system to ensure a long period of reliable performance. New features include quick connect collet and intuitive mode switch allowing for ease of use that is unparalleled in the market. Its ergonomic design provides a balanced and light weight system that produces one of the highest power outputs available to surgeons.

Endoscopy/Imaging Products

VP1600 Digital Documentation System - The VP1600 Digital Documentation System expands on CONMED Linvatec's technology leadership within true High Definition products, and is a cost effective solution for surgeons versus traditional pc-based image capture systems. The 1080p digital still capture unit enables users to save and print the highest quality images.

To learn more about these exciting products at the AAOS Annual Meeting, please go to Booth - 1434 Hall A, Level 2 of the Sands EXPO at the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, NV.

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 3,200 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 and its other SEC filings; (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.

SOURCE: CONMED Corporation