UTICA, N.Y., Feb 12, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- CONMED Corporation (Nasdaq: CNMD) announced today that its Linvatec subsidiary, which specializes in the orthopedic areas of arthroscopy and powered instruments, will introduce six new products at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) in Dallas, Texas, February 13-17, 2002. Following is a summary of the new offerings:

     PowerPro(R) Battery Family of Large Bone Powered Surgical Instruments
     The PowerPro Battery System is the newest addition to the PowerPro(R)
     family of products which began with the PowerPro(R) Electric System
     released by Linvatec in 2000.  The PowerPro(R) Electric and Battery
     Systems are each based on a single common set of PowerPro(R) Modular
     attachments and Hall(R) Surgical Cutting accessories to provide system
     versatility and simplified inventory management for the user.

     The PowerPro(R) Electric System combines high performance software
     technology with hermetically sealed electronics to produce what the
     Company believes to be the most powerful and reliable orthopedic battery
     powered system available on the market.  The PowerPro(R) Battery System
     was designed for full functionality in a wide range of orthopedic
     procedures including large bone arthroplasty (hips and knees),
     arthroscopy (knee and shoulder), small bone orthopedics (hand and foot),
     and orthopedic trauma. The PowerPro(R) Battery System has three styles of
     handpieces: Single-Trigger Modular, Two-Trigger Modular, and Oscillating
     Saw.  Each of the modular handpieces operates 18 modular attachments,
     permitting numerous functions including sawing, drilling, reaming, pin
     placement, wire placement, screw placement and tapping functions.

     The battery options available with the new system add increased
     flexibility to satisfy the specific needs of each user.  Each of the
     modular handpieces may be operated using either a large or small battery.
     This enables the user to tailor the speed and torque of the handpiece to
     the requirements of many different clinical applications.  The
     PowerPro(R) System also offers a patented Sterile Transfer Battery
     System, which eliminates the need to sterilize the battery pack, ensuring
     longer battery life and significant cost savings.

     The most significant feature of the PowerPro(R) Battery offering is the
     patented SureCharge(TM) Battery Sterilization System.  This revolutionary
     advancement in battery technology introduces a new way to process
     batteries between uses.  The SureCharge(TM) System is the first system
     for sale in any market that allows for the steam sterilization of a
     battery before it is charged.  CONMED has invented a method for
     preserving the sterility of a battery during the charging process and for
     delivering a fully charged, sterile battery to the operating room.  The
     SureCharge(TM) System guarantees the delivery of a fully charged, sterile
     battery.  This system will also provide significant cost savings by
     prolonging the life of the batteries used in the PowerPro(R) battery
     system.

     Trident(TM) Ablation Expansion
     The one-of-a-kind Trident(TM) Resection Ablator product line has been
     expanded with a new addition to the line. The new 4.2 mm Trident(TM)
     Omega incorporates a Mako(TM) shaver blade and features an aspiration
     capability to remove bubbles associated with the ablation process.  The
     Trident(TM)Omega is especially effective for use in subacromial
     decompressions and acromioplasty procedures.

     The Trident(TM) product allows the surgeon to resect soft tissue in the
     traditional manner, using a Linvatec shaver blade, while utilizing the
     same instrument for ablation as well.  By simply rotating the shaver
     blade 180 degrees and activating the electrode by means of the ES
     generator footswitch, the Trident(TM) can perform low power ablation as
     well as coagulation. The Trident(TM) is used in conjunction with the
     Linvatec Advantage(R) shaver and power system, which incorporates the
     lightest, most powerful shaver in its class for resection.  The ablation
     and coagulation function is powered by and compatible with, several
     electrosurgical generators presently available in the marketplace today,
     such as the ConMed Excalibur(R) PC and Sabre(TM) 180 and 2400 models.

     Hornet(TM) Insertion Device
     The Hornet, a new insertion device for the BioStinger(R) bioabsorbable
     miniscal implant, provides a simple one-handed delivery of the implant.
     Colored handles correspond to the three implant sizes (10, 13, 16mm) and
     provide easy recognition in the operating room.

     UltraFix RC(R) Inserter
     The UltraFix RC(R) implant provides fixation strength for mini-open or
     arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.  The delivery of the implant is now
     available in an ergonomically designed pre-loaded, pre-threaded
     disposable insertion device or a reusable, re-loadable version.  Both
     delivery systems provide tactile and audible feedback when the anchor is
     locked in place.

     Small Joint HeatWave(TM)
     For thermal modification, Linvatec is introducing the Small Joint
     HeatWave(TM), for use in wrist and ankle procedures where tightening of
     the small joint ligaments is desired.  The small joint HeatWave(TM)
     compliments our large joint version which has been used in knee and
     shoulder procedures since its release in 2000.  The small joint
     HeatWave(TM) is a high performance, bendable tip electrode, which is
     compatible with most ES pencils and generators.

     Additional Shaver Blades
     Linvatec's new Lightning(TM) blade was specially designed to perform the
     functions of a shaver blade and a bur all-in-one.  It is a high
     performance resector that effectively resects bone and tissue with
     precision and ease.  The Lightning(TM) is ideal for use in both knee and
     shoulder arthroscopy.

     The new Tiger(TM) blade combines a new tear drop window design with
     Linvatec's unique pre-bent shaver blade technology for a shaver blade
     that resects soft tissue with minimal clogging.

     The UltraCut(TM) blade provides a unique solution for the aggressive,
     precision resection of a wide range of tissue, including soft tissue,
     meniscal tissue, and cartilage.  The UltraCut(TM) is also useful for
     smooth, controlled arthroscopic bone resection.

Mr. Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief Operating Officer of CONMED Corporation commented, "Linvatec continues to stay at the forefront of innovation with its latest new products. The PowerPro(R) Battery System is particularly impressive because of its ergonomics, power capabilities, and its unique SureCharge(TM) battery sterilization system."

CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments, implants, and video equipment for arthroscopic sports medicine, and powered surgical instruments (drills and saws) for orthopedic, ENT, neuro-surgery, and other surgical specialties. The Company is also a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of RF electrosurgery systems used routinely to cut and cauterize tissue in over ninety percent of all surgical procedures worldwide, endoscopy products such as trocars, clip appliers, scissors, and surgical staplers, and a full line of ECG electrodes for heart monitoring and other patient care products. Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's 2,500 employees distribute its products worldwide from eight manufacturing locations.

                    MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT -  Click Here
               http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X56573263

SOURCE CONMED Corporation

CONTACT:          Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer of CONMED Corporation,
                  +1-315-624-3206; or Investors - Theresa Vogt or Lanie Fladell, or Media - Dan
                  Budwick, +1-212-850-5600, all of Morgen-Walke Associates for CONMED
                  Corporation
                  /Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/201850.html 

URL:              http://www.conmed.com 
http://www.prnewswire.com

Copyright (C) 2002 PR Newswire.  All rights reserved.