June 18, 2004

For Immediate Release

Spine Surgery Technologies and Products Improving Less Invasiveness and Quality of Outcomes, Yet Many Market Opportunities Remain, According to New MedMarket Diligence Report

FOOTHILL RANCH, CA— A diverse array of diseases and disorders of the spine have been the target of spine surgery procedures and technologies that have achieved significant clinical success as well as success in medtech markets. The clinical practices and technology development continue to evolve and develop to improve outcomes cost. Spine conditions include congenital disorders, inflammatory and infectious diseases, degenerative diseases, traumatic conditions and mechanical disorders. The MedMarket Diligence report details the current and future market worldwide for spine surgery technologies, providing a wealth of information on disease incidence, clinical practices and technology and market development.

The MedMarket Diligence report, described at http://www.mediligence.com/rpt-m501.htm, details a market and technology assessment and forecast of the products and technologies in the management of diseases and disorders of the spine. The report describes the specific diseases and disorders of the spine, characterizing the patient populations, their current clinical management, and trends in clinical management as new techniques and technologies are expected to be developed and emerge. The report details the currently available products and technologies, and the manufacturers offering them. The report details the products and technologies under development and markets for each in spine surgery. The report provides a current and forecast assessment of the U.S., Western Europe and Pacific Rim markets for these technologies, with particular emphasis on the market impact of new technologies through the coming decade, and will profile a minimum of 40 key companies in this industry detailing their current products, current market position and products under development.

MedMarket Diligence provides tactical decision-making solutions on medical technology to the medical products and investment industries. The company publishes the “MedMarkets” newsletter, a monthly analysis of the market implications of new medical technology and dedicated reports on technology markets. For more information on MedMarket Diligence, LLC, contact Patrick Driscoll at (949) 859-3401, e-mail, or visit http://www.mediligence.com.