St. Jude Medical Announces U.S. Launch Of TigerWire Steerable Guidewire

Main Category: Blood / Hematology
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology
Article Date: 02 May 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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St. Jude Medical, Inc. (NYSE:STJ) announced U.S. launch of the TigerWire(TM) Steerable Guidewire. The newest member of the St. Jude Medical GuideRight(TM) family of steerable guidewires, the TigerWire Steerable Guidewire is designed to enhance physicians' ability to steer through challenging peripheral arteries, the vessels that supply blood to the legs and arms.

A guidewire is a thin, flexible wire that physicians use to help guide and steer a catheter (a flexible tube) through the arteries. Catheters are used to assist in diagnosing and treating blockages caused by a build-up of plaque inside artery walls. Plaque build-up can block blood flow and lead to heart attack or stroke.

The TigerWire Guidewire's tip is designed with enhanced flexibility to aid in navigation through the vessels. Its supportive design provides distinct zones of flexibility that make it easier for physicians to track and position the guidewire through challenging anatomy.

"The TigerWire Steerable Guidewire has been engineered for improved steerability," said Frank Callaghan, president of the St. Jude Medical Cardiovascular Division. "It gives physicians a tool that can ease access to difficult-to-reach vessels when performing complex diagnostic and interventional procedures."

The insertion of a guidewire is a first step in interventional procedures in which physicians thread catheters through the arteries to diagnose the severity of disease or deliver treatments, including devices such as stents that open blockages and restore blood flow.

Each year, an estimated 4 million cardiovascular catheterization procedures are performed in the U.S., according to IMV, a research and publishing firm specializing in the medical imaging and clinical diagnostic instruments markets.

About St. Jude Medical

St. Jude Medical is dedicated to making life better for cardiac, neurological and chronic pain patients worldwide through excellence in medical device technology and services. The Company has five major focus areas that include: cardiac rhythm management, atrial fibrillation, cardiac surgery, cardiology and neuromodulation. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., St. Jude Medical employs more than 12,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit http://www.sjm.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements include the expectations, plans and prospects for the Company, including potential clinical successes, anticipated regulatory approvals and future product launches, and projected revenues, margins, earnings, and market shares. The statements made by the Company are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include market conditions and other factors beyond the Company's control and the risk factors and other cautionary statements described in the Company's filings with the SEC, including those described in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 27, 2008 (see Item 1A on pages 13-20, and page 20 of Exhibit 13 to the Company's Form 10-K). The Company does not intend to update these statements and undertakes no duty to any person to provide any such update under any circumstance.

St. Jude Medical