KCI Announces Intention to Appeal UK Court Ruling Revoking NPWT Patent

SAN ANTONIO--(Business Wire)--
Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) announced today that the Court of Appeal of
England and Wales has revoked a patent licensed to KCI from Wake Forest
University. The Court determined that the KCI patent (EP UK 0 620 720) covering
the use of foam dressing kits with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT)
systems is not valid and lifted a previously issued injunction against Smith &
Nephew (LSE: NS; NYSE: SNN). The lower court had ruled that key claims in the
patent were valid and enforceable, which established the basis for the
injunction.

"We are disappointed with this ruling and plan to appeal the decision to the
House of Lords," said Stephen Seidel, KCI Executive Vice President, Chief
Administrative Officer and General Counsel. "This ruling is limited to the UK
patent at issue and does not directly affect the other patents in KCI`s
portfolio or any other proceedings outside the UK."

About KCI

Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE: KCI) is a leading global medical technology
company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of
innovative, high-technology therapies and products for the wound care, tissue
regeneration and therapeutic support system markets. Headquartered in San
Antonio, Texas, KCI`s success spans more than three decades and can be traced to
a history deeply rooted in innovation and a passion for significantly improving
the healing and the lives of patients around the world.

The Company employs approximately 6,700 people and markets its products in more
than 20 countries. For more information about KCI, and how its products are
changing the practice of medicine, visit www.KCI1.com.

Kinetic Concepts, Inc.
Media:
Kevin Belgrade, 210-255-6232
Wireless: 210-216-1236
kevin.belgrade@kci1.com
or
Investors:
Adam Rodriguez, 210-255-6197
Wireless: 210-861-7969
adam.rodriguez@kci1.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009