American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Approves Policy Statement...

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

MINNEAPOLIS--(Business Wire)--
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 Meniere's
disease including the Medtronic Meniett(R) 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 Meniere'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 Meniere'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 Meniere'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
Europe(1) suffer from Meniere'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 Meniere'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 Meniere's
disease. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1978;104:99-102.

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

Medtronic, Inc.
Investor Relations:
Jeff Warren, 763-505-2696
or
Public Relations:
Chuck Grothaus, 763-505-2614

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