Inlet Medical Inc.'s Carter-Thomason CloseSure System XL^TM Receives Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons Award

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn., Oct. 5 /PRNewswire/ - Inlet Medical Inc., a privately held medical device company that develops and markets laparoscopic surgical products, has received a 2004 Innovative Product of the Year Award for the Carter-Thomason CloseSure System XL from the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons (SLS). The SLS Innovation of the Year Awards recognize outstanding products that have a multidisciplinary application in minimally invasive surgery. Inlet Medical received the award at the recent 13th International Congress and Endo Expo in New York City.

"Our employees can be proud that this marks the second year the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons has commended one of our products," said Lee Jones, president and chief executive officer, Inlet Medical. "The Carter-Thomason CloseSure System offers physicians and patients significant benefits in various laparoscopic procedures. With this surgical system, physicians can complete full-thickness trocar wound closure, prevent herniation at the site and improve patient outcomes without extending surgical time."

Herniation, or a rupture of muscle tissue, is a relatively common complication of laparoscopic surgery, including bariatric surgery to treat obesity. Obese patients have a greater risk of developing incisional hernias. Port-site herniation can be prevented through full-thickness closure; however, hand suturing is especially difficult in this patient group. The Carter-Thomason CloseSure System XL puts full-thickness closure within reach for obese patients, both women and men. An estimated 400,000 people died of obesity-related surgical complications in 2000. That same year, more than 110,000 bariatric procedures were performed.

About the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons

The Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons was established as an educational, non-profit organization to help ensure the highest standards for the practice of laparoscopic, endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery. With an international membership of over 6,000 surgeons, the organization offers a unique approach to the study of and education of minimally invasive surgery by bringing together different medical specialties that use the techniques and tools of minimally invasive surgery.

About Inlet Medical, Inc.

Inlet Medical Inc., based in Eden Prairie, Minn., is a privately held medical device company that specializes in surgical products for the women's health market. The company develops and markets laparoscopic surgical instruments to gynecologists who perform pelvic reconstructive surgery in women. As many as 5 million women in the United States may be able to benefit from the company's unique product offerings. More information about the company can be found at www.inletmedical.com. Educational information about the procedures is available at www.inletmedical.org.

Inlet Medical, Inc.