UTICA, NY, Mar 09, 2010 (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 New Orleans, LA on March 9 - 13, 2010.

"These products demonstrate CONMED Linvatec's ongoing commitment to innovation in arthroscopic repair, endoscopic visualization and dependable power solutions for joint repair," said Joseph Darling, President of the CONMED Linvatec division. "To support our growth and enhance our profitability, we will continue to invest in R&D, focusing on innovative solutions to meet the needs of surgeons and their patients and to provide superior products and techniques for the best surgical outcomes."

The following new and innovative products are being launched at AAOS:

New Sports Medicine -- Arthroscopy Products

Presto(TM) Bioabsorbable Suture Anchor System -- The Presto(TM) suture anchor system is the latest addition to CONMED Linvatec's Shoulder Restoration System (SRS), which comprises multiple solutions for the most common arthroscopic shoulder repairs. This latest system is further evidence of CONMED Linvatec's commitment to simple solutions for complex procedures. The Presto suture anchor system is compatible with existing instrumentation, offering a 2.9mm diameter anchor with single and double-loaded suture options for the surgeon. The Presto suture anchor leverages CONMED Linvatec's bioabsorbable Poly Lactic acid technology and is another example of our superior biomaterials advantage.

Ergo(TM) Shaver Handpiece -- CONMED Linvatec has made a number of ergonomic design modifications to significantly improve the efficacy and ease of use of resection shaver systems. The ergonomically engineered handle provides optimal balance and control for the surgeon when held traditionally, dagger style (often used in shoulder and hip procedures), or pencil grip. Other ergonomic design enhancements, including a dual-function bell mounted blade collet and redesigned button pad, along with enhanced suction resolution, provide further increased functionality and performance during the surgical procedure.

Liberator Plus(TM) Shaver Blade -- The Liberator Plus is a multi-function resection shaver blade solution for shoulder arthroscopy that provides aggressive soft tissue debridement, bone resection and sheathing. The cutting surface of this device is extremely durable, enabling the effective resection of bone and soft tissue. The sheathing attributes of this device allow the shaver blade to be introduced into the resection area without disrupting surrounding normal tissue. This is especially important when treating smaller labral tears where protecting the area surrounding the tear is essential.

New Powered Surgical Instruments:

PRO6350M Mpower(R) 2 Battery Powered Oscillating Saw -- The PRO6350M is the latest addition to the Mpower(R) 2 battery power system for large bone and small bone orthopedic surgical applications. The efficient design of this handpiece results in extended run time and reduced noise. As with the existing Mpower(R) 2 system, the PRO6350M is designed with our unique TRI-Seal(TM) Technology, which seals out moisture to ensure long-term reliable performance. Additionally, its ergonomic design provides a balanced and light-weight system with one of the highest power outputs available to surgeons.

New Endoscopy/Imaging Products:

VP1600 Digital Documentation System -- VP1600 HD Still Capture System -- The VP1600 HD Still Capture System expands on ConMed Linvatec's technology leadership position in true High Definition products. This 1080p capture device is a cost effective alternative to similar PC-based systems and enables users to save, print and send the highest quality images via DICOM.

In addition to introducing the above new products, the CONMED Linvatec business unit will feature interactive surgical procedure demonstrations throughout the meeting. These demonstrations will take place at the CONMED Linvatec technical exhibit, Booth 1661, at the AAOS Annual Meeting.

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 3,500 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/Evan Smith
212-850-5600

SOURCE: CONMED Corporation