Abbott Launches Next-Generation StarClose(R) SE Vascular Closure System

Abbott Park, Illinois (ots/PRNewswire) -

- New Device Designed to Provide Fast, Safe and Secure Vessel
Closure Following Catheterization Procedures

Abbott today announced the launch of the StarClose(R) SE Vascular
Closure System, a next-generation vessel closure device engineered to
enable fast, safe and secure closure of the femoral artery access
site following a catheterization procedure. StarClose SE is available
in the United States and Europe.

StarClose SE, which stands for "Safe and Extravascular," builds
upon the premium design of its predecessor, StarClose, with more
ergonomically-friendly design features. StarClose SE advancements
include:

-- Improved ease of use, with an intuitive, numbered system, providing
visual guidance and audible "clicks" for each step leading to clip
deployment
-- Immediate vessel closure with deployment of a shape-memory clip onto
the surface of an artery, allowing patients to recover and be
discharged sooner than with manual compression
-- Added device stability for the operator during clip deployment

"With a more ergonomic stabilizer and simpler, numbered-step
deployment, StarClose SE offers users the ability to close an artery
in a fast, safe and effective manner following a catheterization
procedure," said David Lee, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine and
director of Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention
Laboratories at the Stanford School of Medicine. "With its definitive
mechanical closure, StarClose SE enables an operator to confirm a
reliable closure immediately, which offers important benefits for
physicians and patients in reducing patient time to mobility
following these procedures."

StarClose SE utilizes the same nitinol (nickel and titanium) clip
technology as StarClose to close the femoral artery access site after
a catheterization procedure. When deployed, the small nitinol clip
grasps the tissue on top of the artery around the access site in a
purse-string fashion and closes the opening in the femoral artery
rapidly and securely with minimal affect to the lumen diameter or the
blood flow inside the vessel.

"We are pleased to introduce StarClose SE to advance the secure
closure of the vascular access site following catheterization
procedures," said Charles Simonton, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, divisional
vice president, Medical Affairs and chief medical officer, Abbott
Vascular. "StarClose SE was carefully designed to preserve the
safety, reliability and extravascular closure of our first-generation
technology, while providing enhanced ease of use for physicians."

For important safety information about StarClose SE, as well as
additional information about this product, please refer to Abbott's
Web site.

About Catheterization

Catheterization is a procedure commonly used to evaluate or treat
certain types of disease in vessels of the heart and other parts of
the body. The procedure involves the insertion of a flexible tube,
called a catheter, into the femoral artery in the leg. The physician
will use the catheter to observe the condition of the coronary or
peripheral blood vessels or to treat blockages in the vessels.
Following the procedure, the physician will remove the catheter and
close the femoral artery access site.

Over the years, a variety of methods, such as direct pressure
(manual compression), sandbags and mechanical clamps, have been used
to close the puncture site and achieve hemostasis (cessation of
bleeding). Many of these methods have proved less than satisfactory,
causing patients significant discomfort and requiring up to several
hours of bedrest.

About Abbott Vascular

Abbott Vascular, a division of Abbott, is one of the world's
leading vascular care businesses. Abbott Vascular is uniquely focused
on advancing the treatment of vascular disease and improving patient
care by combining the latest medical device innovations with
world-class pharmaceuticals, investing in research and development,
and advancing medicine through training and education. Headquartered
in Northern California, Abbott Vascular offers a comprehensive
portfolio of vessel closure, endovascular and coronary products that
are recognized internationally for their safety and effectiveness in
treating patients with vascular disease.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to
the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of
pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices
and diagnostics. The company employs more than 68,000 people and
markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the
company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.

Web site: http://www.abbott.com

ots Originaltext: Abbott Laboratories
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Media, Karin Bauer, +1-650-868-2999, or Financial, Tina Ventura,
+1-847-935-9390, both of Abbott