Smith & Nephew New DYONICS(TM) RF System Enables Surgeons to Quickly and Precisely Remove Soft Tissue Using RF Energy

ANDOVER, Mass., Feb. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew's (NYSE: SNN; LSE: SN) Endoscopy Division today announced the launch of the DYONICS™ RF System, which incorporates a compact generator with a family of probes for aggressively removing defects and smoothing soft tissue during arthroscopic surgery.

The system complements Smith & Nephew Endoscopy's existing portfolio of resection systems, which include the DYONICS POWER II Control System for mechanical resection, and the VULCAN™ System for specialized radiofrequency (RF) tissue removal.

RF energy can remove damaged soft tissue, coagulate bleeding vessels, smooth rough cartilage, and shrink inflamed soft tissue in weight-bearing joints such as the knee, shoulder and hip.

"The DYONICS RF System provides the control -- the power and the precision -- to effectively remove tissue while eliminating bubbles, helping to improve visualization during the procedure. Additionally, the system is very easy to use," said Dr. Scott Trenhaile, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.

The system initially includes five specialized probes, the most versatile of which is the DYONICS RF-S WHIRLWIND™ 90 degree Probe that is used to resect soft tissue and coagulate bleeding vessels in the knee, shoulder and hip. The WHIRLWIND Probe incorporates a high-flow suction feature to quickly pull bubbles and free-floating debris from the procedure site, ensuring that the surgeon has a clear view of the joint.

Dr. Jose-Luis Avila-Lafuente, Hospital MAZ, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Unit, Zaragoza, Spain was pleased with how fast and powerful the DYONICS RF-S WHIRLWIND Probe was able to remove tissue.  "The probe offers a clear field of view and excellent coagulation capabilities," Dr. Avila-Lafuente commented.  "More importantly, what convinced me to convert was the potential patient benefits.  The new system produces less heat than other systems while still providing the aggressive tissue removal I need."

"This self-contained DYONICS RF System is compact and aggressive enough for both small clinics and large medical facilities that perform multiple arthroscopy procedures each day," said Courtney Manthei, associate market manager for Resection at Smith & Nephew Endoscopy. "Surgeons who have used this device in their procedures said they appreciate the control that it provides, especially when working in difficult to reach areas of the joint."

About Smith & Nephew

Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specialising in Orthopaedic Reconstruction, Orthopaedic Trauma and Clinical Therapies, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products.  Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the leading global orthopaedics companies.

Smith & Nephew is dedicated to helping improve people's lives. The Company prides itself on the strength of its relationships with its surgeons and professional healthcare customers, with whom its name is synonymous with high standards of performance, innovation and trust. The Company operates in 31 countries around the world. Annual sales in 2009 were $3.8 billion.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding planned growth in our business and in our operating margins discussed under "Outlook" are forward-looking statements as are discussions of our product pipeline. These statements, as well as the phrases "aim", "plan", "intend", "anticipate", "well-placed", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "consider" and similar expressions, are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors (including, but not limited to, the outcome of litigation and regulatory approvals) that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Smith & Nephew, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Please refer to the documents that Smith & Nephew has filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including Smith & Nephew's most recent annual report on Form 20F, for a discussion of certain of these factors.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to Smith & Nephew as of the date hereof. All written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to Smith & Nephew or any person acting on behalf of Smith & Nephew are expressly qualified in their entirety by the foregoing. Smith & Nephew does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Smith & Nephew's expectation with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

SOURCE Smith & Nephew

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