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The launch of this product marks the first ablation product developmenteffort by ATS since the product line was acquired from CryoCath Technologies.The ATS CryoMaze Clamp is similar in clinical use to other ablation clamps onthe market; however, it is unique in that it uses argon-based cryoablation tocreate lesions rather than heat-based RF energy. The benefit of this ablationclamp over competitive devices is a unique ablation window that allows thesurgeon to visually confirm complete freezing of the targeted tissue,providing confidence that the lesion has fully penetrated the tissue. Theablation window was developed by James L. Cox, MD, ATS Medical Director and ateam of ATS engineers. Early prototype testing and evaluation was performedwith the assistance of Evelio Rodriguez, MD of East Carolina University, whohas also used the clamp in clinical practice.
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"Some other ablation clamps must be applied multiple times and then testedto see if they work," said Dr. Rodriguez. "But with the ATS CryoMaze Clamp,you apply it once and, because you can see the frost coming through, you knowthat it worked with a single application."
The Company's ablation treatments have been predominantly performed aspart of concomitant open-heart procedures. ATS anticipates the ATS CryoMazeClamp will greatly expand its use in concomitant ablation during closed-heartprocedures.
"Our success bringing the ATS CryoMaze Clamp into the marketplaceunderscores ATS Medical's innovative approach, focus on execution, andcommitment to Advancing the Standard with devices and tools for the cardiacsurgeon," commented Michael Dale, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATSMedical, Inc.
About ATS Medical
ATS Medical, Inc. provides innovative products and services focused oncardiac surgery. The Company, global in scope, is headquartered inMinneapolis, Minnesota. More than 160,000 ATS Open Pivot(R) Heart Valves,which utilize a unique pivot design resulting in exceptional performance andlow risk profile, have been implanted in patients worldwide. The ATS 3f(R)brand encompasses multiple tissue heart valve product offerings at varyingsteps from market introductions to clinical trials to development projectsthat incorporate less invasive valve replacement technology. ATS Medical'sfocus on serving the cardiac surgery community is further strengthened byofferings that include ATS Simulus(R) annuloplasty products for heart valverepair and ATS CryoMaze(TM) surgical ablation products. The ATS Medical website is http://www.atsmedical.com.
Safe Harbor
This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that may includestatements regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company andits management. Actual results could differ materially from those projected inthe forward-looking statements as a result of a number of important factors,including the results of clinical trials, the timing of regulatory approvals,the integration of 3f Therapeutics and the surgical cryoablation business ofCryoCath Technologies, Inc., regulatory actions, competition, pricingpressures, supplier actions and management of growth. For a discussion ofthese and other risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company'sactivities and results, please refer to the Company's filings with theSecurities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year endedDecember 31, 2007 and its most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
SOURCE ATS Medical, Inc.
