Devices Orthopaedic FDA

 News Release - April 17, 2006

Ascent Healthcare Solutions Receives 510(k) Clearance for DePuy ACE External Fixation Devices

Ascent Announces the First of Many New Products Available from the Newly Formed Company

PHOENIX--(HSMN NewsFeed)--April 17, 2006--Ascent Healthcare Solutions (Ascent), the industry's leading reprocessor of single-use medical devices (SUDs), today announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance of the DePuy ACE Fisher Fixator and Hoffman Classic Sterile Wrist Kit, external fixation devices, reprocessed by Ascent. This clearance marks the first new product from Ascent since being formed by the merger of Alliance Medical Corporation and Vanguard Medical Concepts.

"Ascent's recent 510(k) clearance is the first of many to come for us as a collective company," said Don Selvey, chief quality officer for Ascent. "Currently we have 74 FDA approved 510(k)s and this number will continue to rise. We are committed to safely expanding our product line and providing our healthcare partners with the confidence that these devices are of the highest quality."

Both of Ascent's reprocessed external fixation devices are used for fractures and reconstruction of the foot or hand, among other things. The devices can be used to stabilize the hand, wrist, ankle or foot by limiting the movement of the fixed extremity to micro-movements. Additionally, the ACE Fischer Fixator has well proved its effectiveness for everything from tibia plateau fractures, pilon fractures, to open wound/fracture management, limb lengthening, and correction of deformities. The Hoffman Classic Wrist Kit can also be used to restore the normal inclination and slope of the wrist.

Collectively, Ascent has safely reprocessed more than 40 million SUDs for over 1,700 healthcare facilities nationwide. Ascent expects to help its customers save in excess of $92 million in supply expenses in the coming year, which may be redirected to patient services. In addition, the company expects to eliminate over 7,000 tons of medical waste from the nation's landfills annually.

About Ascent Healthcare Solutions

Ascent Healthcare Solutions is the leading independent third-party reprocessor of specific single-use medical devices (SUDs) and has reprocessed more than 40 million SUDs for over 1,700 healthcare facilities nationwide. The company's primary reprocessing center and home office are in Phoenix, Ariz. with an additional reprocessing center in Lakeland, Fla. Ascent holds agreements with all leading national group purchasing organizations as well as numerous nationally recognized hospital integrated delivery networks that collectively represent more than 5,000 healthcare facilities. For more information about Ascent Healthcare Solutions, visit www.ascenthealthcaresolutions.com.

Source: Ascent Healthcare Solutions

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