Empi Announces FDA Clearance Of Select(TM) TENS Device

Main Category: Pain / Anesthetics
Also Included In: Arthritis / Rheumatology;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 30 Jan 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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Empi, a global market leader in non-invasive, non-systemic pain management and physical rehabilitation for more than 30 years, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to market the Empi Select(TM) TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) device.

The Select(TM) device is designed specifically for the relief of chronic, arthritic, and post-surgical pain. The portable device can be used at home or on-the-go, and integrates site specific, preset treatment programs that make it convenient and easy-to-use. This feature ensures that the patient receives the appropriate electrotherapy treatment, specific to their condition and treatment site.

John Velure, Empi's Senior Director of Marketing, said, "The Select(TM) product is the first in a new generation of pain-management devices that are so easy to use that we believe patients will be more compliant and achieve more predictable pain relief than any of its predecessors. We believe that healthcare providers will take great comfort in knowing that their patients are getting the most appropriate treatment for their specific conditions."

The Select(TM) device also includes a patented SMP waveform that delivers maximum pain relief through the use of both endorphin release and gate control pathways. "Empi's primary focus is to offer healthcare providers non-invasive, non-systemic solutions for managing pain, usually as a complement to standard pharmacotherapies," said Peter Baird, Group President - Therapeutic Devices of Encore Medical Corporation, parent company of Empi.

The Select(TM) device represents the cornerstone of Empi's brand revitalization efforts and is the first new electrotherapy device to be developed by Empi following its 2006 merger with Compex Technologies, Inc., which operated under the name Rehabilicare. The jointly developed product draws on the best of the engineering and legacy devices of both predecessor companies.

The Select(TM) device will be available from Family Practice, Pain Management, Orthopedic and other physicians in mid-February, 2007.

About Empi

Empi is a global medical technology leader in designing and manufacturing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) devices, iontophoretic drug delivery systems, and splinting products used for pain management, rehabilitation and edema reduction in clinic, home healthcare, sports and occupational medicine settings. Empi is the largest operating division of Encore Medical Corporation, which is wholly owned by the Blackstone Group.

Further information is available at http://www.empi.com.

About Encore Medical Corporation

Encore Medical Corporation is a diversified orthopedic device company with leading positions in many of the markets in which it competes. Encore develops, manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of high-quality orthopedic devices used for rehabilitation, pain management and physical therapy. It also develops, manufactures and distributes a comprehensive suite of surgical reconstructive implant products. Encore believes that it is one of a few orthopedic device companies that offer healthcare professionals and patients a diverse range of orthopedic rehabilitation and surgical reconstructive implant products addressing the complete spectrum of pre- operative, post-operative, clinical and home rehabilitation care.

Further information is available at http://www.encoremed.com.

About The Blackstone Group

The Blackstone Group, a global private investment and advisory firm, was founded in 1985. The firm has raised a total of approximately $59 billion for alternative asset investing since its formation, of which roughly $27 billion has been for private equity investing. The healthcare sector is one of Blackstone's core areas of focus, with current investments in pharmaceuticals, hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare services and health insurance. Blackstone's other core businesses include Private Real Estate Investing, Corporate Debt Investing, Hedge Funds, Mutual Fund Management, Private Placement, Marketable Alternative Asset Management, and Investment Banking Advisory Services.

Further information is available at http://www.blackstone.com.

Encore Medical Corporation
http://www.encoremed.com

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