Devices Orthopaedic

 News Release - June 9, 2006

American Surgeon Introduces PLUS Orthopedic's Innovative Robotic Computer-Assisted Surgery Technology in Australia

Dr. Jan Koenig Provides Training to Staff at St. George Hospital, the First Site in Australia to Utilize the PiGalileo(TM) Computer-Assisted Surgery System

SAN DIEGO--(HSMN NewsFeed)--June 9, 2006--PLUS Orthopedics USA, Inc., a leading distributor of total joint replacement systems and innovative Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery technology, today announced that Dr. Jan Koenig of Mercy Medical Center (Rockville Centre, N.Y.) performed the first ever demonstration in an Australian hospital of the company's PiGalileo(TM) Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery system. With the adoption of this innovative technology, the St. George Hospital campus is now the first facility in all of Australia to be able to provide patients this advanced Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery technology for total knee replacement surgery.

Dr. Jan Koenig is the Director of Orthopedics at Mercy Medical Center in Rockville Centre, and is also the Chairman and Founder of the Mercy Medical Center Joint Endeavor Program for a Rapid Recovery Program, which was recently ranked number one in the entire state of New York for Orthopedics by HealthGrades. He is also President and Co-Founder of Orthopaedic Excellence of Long Island, a multispecialty orthopedic group practice whose mission in utilizing the "Team Approach" is to always strive for excellence in the care of the orthopedic patient. As one of four surgeons on the PLUS Orthopedics Primary User Group for PiGalileo, Dr. Koenig has been a pioneer in the area of robotic computer-assisted surgery for total knee replacement in the United States.

"The improved surgical accuracy provided by computer-assisted surgery has been well documented in the scientific literature, and I'm honored to be able to introduce this cutting-edge technology to the Australian medical community," said Dr. Koenig. "There is no doubt that the PiGalileo(TM) system will improve surgical accuracy and therefore improve surgical outcomes for those patients in Australia who are undergoing total joint replacement surgery, where patients and surgeons alike can expect more consistent, superior results."

The PiGalileo(TM) Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery System from PLUS Orthopedics combines advanced Computer-Assisted Surgery and robotic instrument positioning technologies to assist the surgeon in total knee replacement procedures. Surgeries done with PiGalileo(TM) are still performed by a surgeon, with navigation and robotic technologies aiding the surgeon in instrument positioning. Surgeons who use the PiGalileo(TM) technology are provided critical real-time intra-operative feedback to help improve precision, thereby potentially leading to better implant alignment and positioning.

Medical literature has shown that a common cause of joint implant failure is implant misalignment, with a misalignment of only 3-degrees being strongly correlated to excessive wear on the joint and implant failure over time. Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery with the PiGalileo(TM) system aims to position the knee implants optimally for the patient, thereby reducing the potential for misalignment and future complications.

Since its international release in 1999, there are over 80 PiGalileo(TM) systems installed throughout the world, which have supported more than 10,000 surgical procedures.

About PLUS Orthopedics USA, Inc.

PLUS Orthopedics USA, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of PLUS Orthopedics Holding, AG, a manufacturer of implant systems for the hip, knee and shoulder joints, as well as products for the treatment of orthopedic trauma, since 1997. PLUS Orthopedics USA, Inc., headquartered in San Diego, is now bringing these products to patients across the U.S. with a commitment to offering our customers high quality products and services with proven results. For more information visit the company's web site at www.plusortho.com.

Source: PLUS Orthopedics

Issuer of this News Release is solely responsible for its content.
Please address inquiries directly to the issuing company.