First human robot assisted aortic valve replacement to implant the ATS 3f Aortic Bioprosthesis performed

Nov 2 2009

ATS Medical, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATSI), manufacturer and marketer of state-of-the-art cardiac surgery products and services, announced the first human robot assisted endoscopic aortic valve replacement using the daVinci® Surgical System from Intuitive Surgical (Nasdaq: ISRG) to implant the ATS 3f® Aortic Bioprosthesis. The procedure was performed by Allen Raczkowski, M.D., at Banner Baywood Health Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona.

The ATS 3f Aortic Bioprosthesis is the only valve that has the extreme flexibility necessary for small access robotic ports and it provides excellent hemodynamic characteristics which are important for the patient's quality of life," said Dr. Raczkowski.

With the recent introduction of the ATS 3f Aortic Bioprosthesis into the U.S. marketplace, surgeons have quickly recognized its unique potential for use in less invasive port access and robot assisted procedures. Because the ATS 3f valve is the first truly stentless valve in the world, it has no rigid supporting stent. As a result, the valve is completely pliable which allows it to be folded into a small diameter and introduced to the body through small ports using minimally invasive techniques. No other commercially available valve can be manipulated in this manner. This successful first ever minimally invasive human aortic valve replacement is the result of an ongoing cooperative effort with many of the leading robot experienced cardiac surgery centers in the U.S. to develop minimally invasive aortic valve procedures.

"ATS Medical has been committed from the beginning to the development of minimally invasive solutions for the treatment of structural heart disease. The ability to remove and replace a diseased heart valve in a minimally invasive manner represents a dramatic benefit for patients for two reasons: better clinical outcomes by removing the diseased valve as opposed to leaving it in place, and secondly, a much more cosmetically favorable procedure versus the pain and scaring associated with conventional open chest surgery. This landmark robot assisted endoscopic aortic replacement procedure by Dr. Raczkowski is another important step toward providing surgeons and patients better options for the treatment of structural heart disease without an open sternotomy," stated Michael Dale, President and CEO of ATS Medical.

This procedure establishes the expansion of the Company's minimally invasive initiatives to the 3f product line in addition to the ongoing efforts with the ATS CryoMaze® Surgical System and the ATS Simulus® family of annuloplasty products. ATS has also created the position of "Business Development Manager of Minimally Invasive Procedures" to focus increased resources on the development of procedures and products to drive adoption, expand markets, and provide less traumatic surgical options for patients.

SOURCE ATS Medical, Inc.