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American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Approves Policy Statement on Micropressure Therapy for Meniere's Disease

Posted on: Thursday, 10 April 2008, 09:01 CDT

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) announced today that the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery approved a policy statement concluding that the use of micropressure for Ménière's disease including the Medtronic Meniett® device is appropriate when other medical treatments fail.

In the policy statement both the Equilibrium Committee and Board of Directors conclude that, "...there is convincing and well-controlled medical evidence to support the use of micropressure therapy (such as the Meniett device) in certain cases of Ménière's disease. Micropressure therapy is best used as a second level therapy when medical treatment has failed. The device represents a largely non-surgical therapy that should be available as one of the many treatments for Ménière's disease."

"This is a large step forward from the Board and Equilibrium Committee at the Academy," said Mark Fletcher, president of the ENT business at Medtronic. "With this new policy statement in place, we can now show that the medical community considers the Meniett a widely accepted and approved therapy in certain cases of Ménière's disease, allowing us to work toward removing the 'investigational' label that many insurance carriers have on the therapy."

Approximately 2.6 million people in the United States and Europe1 suffer from Ménière's disease, a disorder associated with excess fluid in the inner ear. This complex disease is characterized by vertigo in combination with hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear) and pressure in the ear. The origin is unknown and there is no cure, which makes managing the disease difficult when symptoms are severe. Unpredictable vertigo attacks with nausea and vomiting can be very debilitating, with patients unable to work or perform routine activities.2

About the ENT Business at Medtronic

Located in Jacksonville, Fla., the ENT business at Medtronic (www.MedtronicENT.com) is a leading developer and manufacturer of products to treat diseases of the ear, nose and throat (ENT). Patients seeking additional information about Ménière's disease and the Meniett device should visit www.meniett.com.

About Medtronic

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology -- alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2007. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

1. Stahle J, Stahle C, Arenberg IK. The incidence of Ménière's disease. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1978;104:99-102.

2. Anderson JP and Harris JP. Impact of Ménière's disease on quality of life. Otol Neurotol. 2001;22:888-894.

Source: Business Wire

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