Covidien Introduces the SprayShield(TM) Adhesion Barrier System to the European Marketplace

Sprayable hydrogel technology offers surgeons a valuable tool to
help reduce the incidence, severity and extent of post-surgical
adhesions
NORTH HAVEN, Conn.--(Business Wire)--
Covidien (NYSE: COV, BSX: COV), a leading global provider of
healthcare products, today announced that its Surgical Devices
business unit has introduced the SprayShield(TM) Adhesion Barrier
System throughout Europe. The SprayShield Adhesion Barrier System
offers surgeons a unique synthetic, sprayable hydrogel that provides a
strong barrier between tissue and organ planes that helps reduce the
development of post-surgical adhesions. The SprayShield Adhesion
Barrier System, which has received CE-Mark, is indicated for use in
both open and laparoscopic abdominopelvic surgical procedures as an
adjunct to good surgical technique.

"The SprayShield Adhesion Barrier System represents yet another
innovative solution delivered by our BioSurgery team," said Scott
Flora, President, Surgical Devices, Covidien. "Like our other recent
product introductions, including PleuraSeal(TM) lung sealant and
VascuSeal(TM) vascular sealant, the SprayShield Adhesion Barrier
System gives surgeons a new solution to help address an unmet clinical
need," he added.

Adhesions frequently occur after surgery due to tissue trauma that
forms connective tissue bridges, or internal bands in the body, that
can connect internal structures and organs that normally are
separated. Adhesions have been associated with post-operative
complications such as pelvic pain, infertility and small bowel
obstruction that may require additional surgery to resolve. A
long-term comprehensive study of women who had prior pelvic surgery
showed that approximately 35% were readmitted an average of 1.9 times
over a 10-year period due to adhesion-related complications. Even
during routine surgical procedures, the need to remove adhesions
extends operating room time and can lead to increased blood loss and
other complications.

The SprayShield Barrier technology is a synthetic, absorbable
hydrogel delivered by an air-assisted sprayer. The device can be
stored at room temperature and prepared in less than two minutes. The
SprayShield Adhesion Barrier polymerizes within seconds when sprayed,
enabling site-specific application, and is blue in color, allowing the
surgeon to see the coverage and thickness of the material upon
application. Post-operatively, the SprayShield Barrier continues to
separate tissue and organ planes as healing progresses under the gel.
After several days, the hydrogel breaks down into water-soluble
molecules that are absorbed and cleared through the kidneys.

In addition to Europe, the SprayShield Adhesion Barrier System is
available in certain Middle East markets and South Africa. It is not
available in the United States at this time.

ABOUT COVIDIEN

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that
creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and
delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien
manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of
industry-leading product lines in four segments: Medical Devices,
Imaging Solutions, Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Supplies. With
2007 revenue of nearly $9 billion, Covidien has more than 42,000
employees worldwide in 57 countries, and its products are sold in over
130 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our
business.

Covidien
Joel Weinberg, 203-492-5576
Manager - Media Relations
Surgical Devices
joel.weinberg@covidien.com
or
Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343
Vice President
Investor Relations
cole.lannum@covidien.com
or
Bruce Farmer, 508-452-4372
Vice President
Public Relations
bruce.farmer@covidien.com
or
Wayde McMillan, 508-452-4387
Director
Investor Relations
wayde.mcmillan@covidien.com

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