Cook Medical Launches Industry-First Pressure Injection Peripherally Inserted Catheter with Antibiotic Protection to Prevent Potentially Fatal Infections

BLOOMINGTON, Ind.--(Business Wire)--
With the launch of Cook Medical`s new Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC, for the first
time, the clinical benefits of antibiotic-impregnated catheters-a critical
component in eliminating 250,000 potentially fatal catheter-related bloodstream
infections (CRBSIs) in the U.S. annually-are now available for peripherally
inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) that can also be used for
contrast-enhanced CT scans.

The Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC is the industry`s first antibiotic-impregnated PICC
capable of accepting the contrast media injection rates required for CT scans.
The ability to power-inject contrast media, combined with the Spectrum
technology`s proven ability to prevent CRBSIs, means that patients receiving
PICC lines will gain the highest possible protection from deadly CRBSIs, while
clinicians will have access to the industry`s best flow rates.

"Cook`s new Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC lines provide industry-leading technology
to interventional radiologists, nurses and other health care professionals in
the fight against costly, life-threatening hospital-acquired infections, and
also provide industry-best flow rates for contrast media," said Dan Sirota,
global business leader of Cook Medical`s Interventional Radiology division.
"This innovation further demonstrates Cook`s commitment to reducing infections
by providing a unique Cook technology that is proven to improve patient
outcomes."

Demand for the new PICC is so high, he added, that the first units were shipped
to customers even before Cook`s official introduction of the device to key
customers at the Society of Interventional Radiology Meeting earlier this year
in San Diego.

With the Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC, clinicians can choose from multiple catheter
configurations that offer an industry-best range of flow rates in order to meet
patient needs, including:

* Maximum pressure limit settings of 325 psi
* 5 French single and double lumen with a maximum flow rate of 7 and 5
mL/second, respectively
* 4 French single lumen with a maximum flow rate of 4 mL/second
* 50 cm and 60 cm length available

In the United States alone, more than 3 million central venous catheters (CVC)
are inserted annually, with more than 250,000 patients developing a CRBSI
associated with their CVC. Additionally, about 30,000 U.S. patients die each
year from these systemic infections. Cost associated with treating these
preventable infections average $34,508 to $56,000 each, making CRBSI prevention
a major health care cost reduction issue. Numerous peer-reviewed publications,
including a landmark study published in the New England Journal of Medicine,
have demonstrated both the safety and superior efficacy of Spectrum technology
in preventing CRBSIs. Spectrum technology has been shown to establish zones of
inhibition greater than 15 mm for up to 63 days against the leading cause of
CRBSIs.

The combination of the antibiotics minocycline and rifampin that are impregnated
within the material of the Cook Spectrum catheters work synergistically to
provide broad-spectrum protection against gram positive, gram negative and
fungal organisms in both short- and long-term use. Unlike most systemic
antibiotics, this unique combination has the ability to penetrate the biofilm
that forms on all indwelling catheters. Additionally, research has conclusively
shown that use of these catheters does not promote the growth of
antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria in patients receiving Spectrum
catheters. In fact, the use of Spectrum technology has demonstrated reduced
antibiotic-resistant strains in on single-center study.

On October 1, 2008, Medicare eliminated reimbursement to hospitals for treating
CRBSIs and other hospital-acquired infections. Catheters impregnated with
Spectrum technology are a scientifically proven tool hospitals and clinicians
can use to eliminate preventable CRBSIs and avoid the risk of Medicare
nonpayment.

The Cook Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC will be complimented by the PICC Procedural
Tray, designed to efficiently supply the essential components for a clinician
placing a PICC, whether bedside or in an interventional radiology lab. The tray
provides the vital components for maximal sterile barrier precautions, a
significant part of patient safety and infection control.

The Cook Spectrum Turbo-Ject PICC has U.S. Food and Drug Administration
clearance and is available for immediate delivery in the United States.

About Cook Medical:

Cook Medical was one of the first companies to help popularize interventional
medicine, pioneering many of the devices now commonly used worldwide to perform
minimally invasive medical procedures. Today, the company integrates device
design, biopharma, gene and cell therapy and biotech to enhance patient safety
and improve clinical outcomes in the fields of aortic intervention;
interventional cardiology; critical care medicine; gastroenterology; radiology,
peripheral vascular, bone access and oncology; surgery and soft tissue repair;
urology; and assisted reproductive technology, gynecology and high-risk
obstetrics.Cook is a past winner of the prestigious Medical Device Manufacturer
of the Year Award from Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. For more
information, visit www.cookmedical.com.

Cook Medical
Marsha Dawes, 812-339-2235, ext. 2750
Public Relations Coordinator
Marsha.Dawes@cookmedical.com
or
Racepoint Group, Inc.
Cheri Keith, 781-487-4672
ckeith@racepointgroup.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009