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ATS Medical Announces Regulatory Approval of the ATS Open Pivot AP360 Mechanical Heart Valve in Japan

Posted on: Thursday, 16 April 2009, 05:30 CDT

MINNEAPOLIS, April 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ATS Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATSI), manufacturer and marketer of state-of-the-art cardiac surgery products and services, today announced the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare has approved commercial distribution of the ATS Open Pivot(R) AP360(TM) Mechanical Heart Valve.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040202/ATSILOGO)

The ATS AP360 heart valve maximizes hemodynamic performance with a new supra-annular cuff design that facilitates implantation. The original ATS Medical Open Pivot(R) Heart Valve is highly regarded for fundamental design features that promote best-in-class hemodynamic performance, enhanced resistance to blood clot formation and improved patient quality of life through quieter valve operation. In a response to the highly individualized and specific valve selection criteria of cardiac surgeons, particularly with respect to implantability, the ATS AP360 combines proven performance with a cuff design that extends its appeal to a broader spectrum of surgeons.

"Our long time distribution partner, Century Medical, Inc., worked diligently to facilitate this important approval in conjunction with the ATS Quality and Regulatory Organization. The cuff design of the ATS AP360 valve provides significant hemodynamic benefit for patients with a small aortic root and will be ideal for the unique needs of the Japanese market," said Michael Dale, President and CEO of ATS Medical. "The newly approved AP360 will provide even more opportunity to further penetrate the Japanese marketplace."

About ATS Medical

ATS Medical, Inc. is dedicated to 'Advancing The Standards' of cardiac surgery through the development, manufacturing and marketing of innovative products and services for the treatment of structural heart disease. ATS Medical serves the cardiac surgery community by focusing on two distinct but operationally synergistic market segments: heart valve disease therapy and surgical ablation of cardiac arrhythmias.

ATS was originally founded to develop the ATS Open Pivot(R) Heart Valve as a new mechanical heart valve standard of care. Today the Open Pivot heart valve is the preferred mechanical heart valve in many markets around the world and the fastest growing mechanical prosthesis in the market. Building on this legacy and addressing the largest market segment in heart valve therapy, the ATS 3f(R) brand encompasses an innovative tissue heart valve portfolio to address conventional open surgery requirements as well as the growing demand for less invasive, sutureless based procedures. The ATS 3f(R) portfolio includes offerings at various stages including early product development, pivotal clinical trials, and market commercialization. Completing the portfolio in heart valve therapy is the ATS Simulus(R) annuloplasty product line. Simulus products assist the surgeon in repairing a patient's native heart valve as an alternative to replacement. Continuing ATS Medical's focus on serving the cardiac surgery community are the ATS CryoMaze(TM) products for surgical cryoablation of cardiac arrhythmias. ATS CryoMaze(TM) products are used by surgeons to treat patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias, the largest and fastest growing form of structural heart disease in populations over 60 years of age. The ATS Medical web site is http://www.atsmedical.com.

Safe Harbor

This Press Release contains forward-looking statements that may include statements regarding intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the 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 of CryoCath Technologies, Inc., regulatory actions, competition, pricing pressures, supplier actions and management of growth. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could affect the Company's activities and results, please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.

SOURCE ATS Medical, Inc.

Source: PR Newswire

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