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March 4, 2008 at 7:01 AM EST

CONMED Corporation Launches New Products at Annual American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Meeting

UTICA, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 4, 2008--CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD) today announced that its CONMED Linvatec business unit will launch eleven new medical devices in its Sports Medicine - Arthroscopy, Powered Surgical Instruments, and Endoscopy product lines. These products will be unveiled at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) in San Francisco on March 5 - 9, 2008, and will include:

Sports Medicine - Arthroscopy

Spectrum(R) MVP(TM) Shoulder Suture Passer - The Spectrum MVP is the newest in CONMED Linvatec's long line of suture-passing devices for arthroscopic shoulder surgery. It builds on the gold standard set by the Spectrum model, with an even greater ease-of-use.

Sentinel(TM) Drill Bits - With diameters ranging from 5.5mm - 13mm, in half size increments, the new Sentinel Drill Bits allow surgeons to safely, yet accurately, drill the highly precise femoral tunnels that are required not only in standard ACL procedures but in the increasingly popular double bundle ACL technique. They facilitate an anterior medial approach by safely passing the condyles without scuffing the cartilage.

Shutt(R) Series 210(TM) Instruments for Hip Arthroscopy - The respected Shutt brand of products is now available for hip arthroscopy procedures. These high quality and finely crafted instruments are the result of a continued focus on innovation and expansion of products for the hip arthroscopy market. The Shutt Series 210 line consists of nine manual instruments, all of which are 3.4mm in diameter and 210mm in working length, allowing for ease of entry through cannulae and ample length for working in deep joints such as the hip.

EL Microfracture Awls and Sterilization Tray - The new EL Microfracture Awls allow for easier access in difficult-to-reach areas involving hip arthroscopy. With additional extended length and having the option of with or without a strike plate, this unique instrument set will be the standard of care when performing the microfracture procedure. (The Sterilization Tray is pending 510k approval.)

Smart Screw(R) II - The new SmartScrew II offering is a comprehensive line of bioabsorbable bone fixation implants indicated for fixation of fractures, osteotomies, arthrodeses and condylar grafts within the condylar aspects of the upper extremity, ankle and foot. The implant provides the compression needed during healing, while eliminating the need for a second surgery once healing is complete, as is required with metal implants. The new SmartScrew II instruments also incorporate an innovative "Clover-leaf" driver interface, etch marks on cannulated drill bits (allowing for tunnel depth estimation) and instrument markings for easy size recognition.

ThRevo(R) with HiFi - Following on the initial success of the original ThRevo shoulder anchor, the new ThRevo incorporates the advantage of the HiFi high strength suture.

Powered Surgical Instruments:

PRO7020 Cordless Revision Attachment for Battery Handpiece - The PRO7020 Attachment is the only cordless revision attachment on the market today. This attachment interfaces with an extensive line of ConMed Linvatec burs and is used for cement removal in orthopedic revision surgery. This attachment uniquely provides spine surgeons with the option to use cordless power in surgery.

Intrex(TM) Blade Line - The Intrex Blade System is composed of six blade profiles in seven different thicknesses, for a comprehensive system of large bone saw blades. Each blade is manufactured from high quality enhanced chromium steel, for maximum rigidity and durability, and has a ground tooth form for superior sharpness and maximum cutting efficiency.

Endoscopy:

HD Arthroscope - ConMed Linvatec brings another first to market with the HD arthroscope. The enhanced lens design ensures maximized transmission of high contrast light from the arthroscope into the True HD camera head. ConMed Linvatec now offers the highest quality optics throughout the whole Imaging chain for a True HD image in ENT and Orthopedics. The HD scope range is compatible with the existing Quicklatch sheath ensuring our customers don't have to settle for low flow to operate in high definition.

Single Chip Enhanced Definition Camera System - The ConMed Linvatec Enhanced Definition (ED) Camera System is first to offer a camera that incorporates image capture within the device. It includes an autoclavable progressive-scan camera head, built-in hard drive, USB storage access, and multi-language interface screens for worldwide ease-of-use. Our goal is to provide high quality components that are compatible with the cost constraints of many institutions.

HD Lightsource - This user-friendly HD compatible 300-watt Xenon Light Source provides optimal light output for even the most challenging of surgical cases.

To learn more about these exciting products at the AAOS Annual Meeting, please go to Booth - Hall A # 1041 on March 5-7, 2008 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA.

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.


    CONTACT: CONMED Corporation
             Robert Shallish, 315-624-3206
             Chief Financial Officer
             or
             FD
             Investors:
             Brian Ritchie/Theresa Kelleher, 212-850-5600

    SOURCE: CONMED Corporation