Covidien Launches BariatricsPro.Com

Website Informs Health Professionals of Latest Advances in Bariatric Surgery
NORTH HAVEN, Conn.--(Business Wire)--
Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today
announced the launch of BariatricsPro.com, a website designed to provide the
medical community with information on the latest research and advances in
bariatric surgery, including its role in resolving Type 2 Diabetes. The
announcement was made at the annual conference of the American Society for
Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery.

The new website is intended to serve as a resource for bariatric surgeons,
primary care physicians, endocrinologists, nurses and members of the allied
health community. It provides access to hundreds of articles and research papers
that will help health professionals address the needs of bariatric patients -
from initial interest through post-operative care. Innovative products and
technologies are also featured. In addition, surgeons can sign up for the
Surgeon Locator directory, which enables referring physicians to connect
potential patients with qualified surgeons in their area.

Unique functions of BariatricsPro.com include: podcasts of informational
presentations, clinical resources, new products page, practice management tools
geared towards business development executives and a bariatric events and
activities calendar.

"BariatricsPro.com is an important tool for providing medical professionals with
information that will help them determine which of their patients are viable
candidates for surgery, as well as answer questions about the treatment," said
Michael Tarnoff, M.D., FACS, Chief Medical Officer & VP Medical Affairs,
Surgical Devices, Covidien. "Covidien has a steadfast commitment to ongoing
research, education and support that will continue to unlock new breakthroughs
and opportunities in bariatric surgery, including the eradication of Type 2
Diabetes. BariatricsPro.com will help us share this information with a worldwide
audience."

Given the growing demand for bariatric surgery and the continuing rapid advances
in related technology, physicians and other healthcare professionals need access
to the latest, most up-to-date information to share with their patients.

Currently, more than two-thirds of U.S. adults are considered overweight or
obese; more than 25 percent of the adult population struggles with obesity.1 In
2008, an estimated 220,000 Americans with morbid obesity elected to undergo
bariatric surgery,2 compared with only 13,365 in 1998,3 a 10-year period during
which major advances in surgical techniques and procedures were made. Studies
have shown that gastric bypass surgery resolves Type 2 Diabetes, which affects
millions of Americans, in approximately 77 percent4 of morbidly obese patients.

"This site will be of interest to any family doctor who has questions about
bariatric surgery, how to select patients, what the patient will go through,
what happens after surgery and how to deal with delayed problems including new
exercise regimes and nutritional modifications," said Rick Ricer, M.D. "This is
a `one-stop shopping` site."

Also launched this week was Covidien`s Our Resolution movement, a collaboration
of healthcare experts, nonprofits and health agencies who share the goal of
resolving Type 2 Diabetes. The Our Resolution movement will further educate the
medical community about bariatric surgery`s role in resolving this disease
through in-person presentations throughout the country.

In 2008, Covidien launched bariatrics4diabetes.com, a companion site for
prospective patients interested in in-depth information on bariatric surgery and
the resolution of Type 2 Diabetes.

1. Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com/health/obesity/DS00314

2. American Society for Bariatric & Metabolic Surgery,
http://www.bio-medicine.org/medicine-news-1/Chicago-area-ASBS-Bariatric

3. Santry HP, Gillen DL, Lauderdale DS (2005) Trends in bariatric surgical
procedures. JAMA 294(15):1909-1917

4. Buchwald, H. et al, Weight and Type 2 Diabetes after Bariatric Surgery:
Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. The American Journal of Medicine. Vol. 22,
No. 3, March 2009. pg 248-256e

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 2008 revenue of nearly $10 billion, Covidien has more than 41,000
employees worldwide in 59 countries, and its products are sold in over 140
countries. Please visit covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Covidien
Diana Sousa, 203-492-7610
Vice President Communications
Surgical Devices
diana.sousa@covidien.com
or
Bruce Farmer, 508-452-4372
Vice President
Public Relations
bruce.farmer@covidien.com
or
Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343
Vice President
Investor Relations
cole.lannum@covidien.com
or
Brian Nameth, 508-452-4363
Director
Investor Relations
brian.nameth@covidien.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009