Healthcare Industry News:  Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia 

Devices Urology

 News Release - September 8, 2009

American Medical Systems Expands Gold-Standard AMS 800(R) Artificial Urinary Sphincter Line

New 3.5 cm Cuff Helps Restore Male Urinary Continence to More Patients

MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. 8--(HSMN NewsFeed)--American Medical Systems, Inc. (AMS) (NASDAQ: AMMD ) a trusted provider of medical solutions for restoring men’s and women’s pelvic health, announced today that it has expanded its AMS 800 male artificial urinary sphincter product line with the addition of a 3.5 cm Occlusive Cuff to restore urinary continence to a wider range of male patients.

The new smaller size cuff is designed specifically for patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI) who have a smaller urethra. The 3.5 cm device provides physicians with another option beyond the more complex transcorporeal procedure for treating patients who have a urethra smaller than 4.0 cm, currently the smallest diameter cuff available.

In addition to its smaller size, the 3.5 cm cuff features a specially designed contoured shell, curved adapter and reinforced fastener to maximize performance and effectiveness.

“The AMS 800 has been recognized as the gold standard in artificial urinary sphincter technology for nearly 25 years,” said Whitney Erickson, vice president and general manager for men's health at AMS. “By extending this highly successful and well-regarded product line to include 13 sizes, we are better able to help physicians improve the quality of life for even more men who suffer from severe SUI.”

AMS plans to evaluate the performance of the 3.5 cuff with a focused group of urologists starting in September, 2009 and anticipates full-scale commercialization to take place in the first quarter of 2010.

For more information about the AMS 800, visit www.americanmedicalsystems.com.

About American Medical Systems:

American Medical Systems Holdings, Inc., headquartered in Minnetonka, Minn., is a diversified supplier of world-class medical devices and procedures used to treat male and female urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, prostate disorders (including Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), urethral strictures, excessive menstrual bleeding (known as menorrhagia), pelvic organ prolapse and fecal incontinence. These conditions significantly diminish one’s quality of life and can profoundly affect social relationships. AMS’ products allow physicians to restore both dignity and control to their patients, through the delivery of therapies or the surgical implantation of medical devices. AMS has a long-standing reputation for product performance and innovation and partners with urologists, gynecologists, urogynecologists and colorectal surgeons to support their needs and develop new techniques. In recent years, the number of people seeking treatment has increased as a result of longer lives, higher-quality-of-life expectations and greater awareness of new treatment alternatives. AMS' products reduce or eliminate the incapacitating effects of these diseases, often through minimally invasive therapies. The Company’s products were used to treat approximately 320,000 patients in 2008.

More information about the Company and its products can be found at its website www.AmericanMedicalSystems.com and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2008 and its other SEC filings.


Source: American Medical Systems

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