MINNEAPOLIS - August 1, 2014 - Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced the launch of the NuVent(TM) EM Sinus Dilation System for the Fusion® ENT Navigation System, developed and manufactured by the company's Ear Nose and Throat (ENT) division of its Surgical Technologies business. NuVent is the first and only balloon sinus dilation system with built-in electromagnetic (EM) surgical navigation technology to help the surgeon confirm anatomy and optimize balloon placement during balloon sinus surgery. Combining advanced technology with "plug and play" simplicity, surgeons can see the precise location of the NuVent instrument's tip on the Fusion screen. Balloon sinus surgery may be used as part of the treatment of chronic sinusitis, a disease that affects nearly 29 million US adults.1  

When medical management fails to relieve symptoms, sinus surgery is often employed to restore normal mucociliary clearance in the sinuses. Surgical navigation is used in certain sinus procedures because sinus anatomy can be highly variable. The combination of the NuVent system and Fusion ENT Navigation provide an additional tool to help surgeons move tissue and bone around the openings of the frontal, maxillary, and sphenoid sinuses to help restore drainage in a minimally invasive way. In addition, given the unique combination of technology in the NuVent product, Medtronic is planning clinical trials to expand the indications for use of the NuVent product to additional procedures, such as, revision surgery.

"NuVent is very appealing to customers because of its novel built-in surgical EM navigation, ease of use, and the familiar sinus instrument styles," said Vince Racano, vice president and general manager of the ENT division at Medtronic. "This system is another example of our innovative integration of technologies and therapies that brings Medtronic Surgical Synergy(TM) to the operating room, driving procedural excellence, economic value, and patient care."

About the Medtronic Surgical Technologies Business
The Surgical Technologies business develops products and procedural solutions for surgical applications that include ear, nose, and throat; cranial and functional neurosurgery; spinal and orthopaedics; and general surgical oncology. The business designs, develops, manufactures, and supports healthcare providers with surgical navigation and imaging solutions, powered surgical tools and systems, intraoperative nerve monitoring devices, advanced energy-based devices for hemostatic sealing and tissue dissection, and implantable devices for hydrocephalus management.

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.

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1. Blackwell DL, Lucas JW, Clarke TC. Summary health statistics for US adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2012. National Center for Health Statistics.Vital Health Stat. 2014; 10(260).                                                                        UC201501684 EN  07.2014.

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