MINNEAPOLIS, Oct 13, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced plans to introduce two of its next-generation cardiovascular devices in Japan, the world's second largest market for advanced medical technology: the Integrity(R) Coronary Stent System for the treatment of narrowed heart arteries due to atherosclerosis and the Endurant(R) AAA Stent Graft System for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Reimbursement for the Integrity Coronary Stent took effect Sept. 1; reimbursement for the Endurant AAA Stent Graft takes effect Nov. 1. Both devices were approved over the summer by Japan's Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW). Each device is the global market leader in its product category.

Integrity Coronary Stent System
The Integrity Coronary Stent introduces an engineering advance called continuous sinusoid technology, which contributes to the device's excellent deliverability -- even through especially tight and tortuous heart arteries -- without compromising other important device features, such as radial strength and radiopacity.

"The new platform is very deliverable and enables easy access to distal and tortuous anatomies; it also provides excellent strut apposition to the vessel wall," said Dr. Sinsuke Nanto, a professor in the Department of Advanced Cardiovascular Therapeutics at Osaka University. "As a result, the Integrity stent will be a welcome addition to our daily clinical practice in Japan."

Endurant AAA Stent Graft System
Because of its innovative design, the Endurant AAA Stent Graft conforms to a wide range of aortic anatomies, allowing more patients than ever before to be treated with endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) and avoid the need for major surgery.

"The Endurant stent graft has become an extremely popular device everywhere it's available," said Dr. Takao Ohki, chairman of the Department of Surgery and professor and chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery at Jikei University School of Medicine in Tokyo. "Based on the device's impressive clinical results and my own personal clinical experience with it, I believe this MHLW shonin represents a significant step forward in the endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms."

Dr. Ohki added: "With its low profile delivery system, accurate device delivery and tolerance for difficult anatomies, the Endurant stent graft is poised to become a dependable go-to device for Japanese physicians in cases ranging from the relatively straightforward to the extremely difficult."

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias.

ABOUT MEDTRONIC
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology -- alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.

Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's periodic reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

SOURCE: Medtronic, Inc.

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