MANSFIELD, Mass., Aug 04, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE)

<span class=”ccbnTxt”><p>MANSFIELD, Mass., Aug 04, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) –<p>Covidien (NYSE:COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products,
today announced that the first patients have been enrolled in the
DURABILITY(TM) Iliac and VISIBILITY(TM) Iliac studies. Dr. Marc Bosiers, at AZ
St-Blasius, Dendermonde, Belgium, enrolled the initial patients in the
DURABILITY study, while Dr. Patrick Peeters, at Imelda Hospital,
Bonheiden, Belgium, was responsible for the first enrollment in the
VISIBILITY study.
</p>

<p>The DURABILITY Iliac and VISIBILITY Iliac studies are prospective,
multi-center, non-randomized studies designed to confirm the safety and
effectiveness of Covidien’s stent systems in treating disease in the
common and/or external iliac arteries. The DURABILITY Iliac study will
evaluate the Protégé^(R) EverFlex^(R) Self-Expanding
Stent System and the Protégé^(R) GPS(TM) Self-Expanding Nitinol
Stent and Delivery Technology. The VISIBILITY Iliac study will evaluate
the Visi-Pro^(R) Balloon Expandable Stent System.
</p>
<p>The studies will be conducted in patients with peripheral arterial
disease (P.A.D.). One of the most common vascular diseases, P.A.D.
occurs when leg arteries become narrowed or blocked by plaque. These
blockages can cause severe pain, limited physical mobility and
non-healing leg ulcers. According to the American Heart Association,
approximately eight million people in the U.S. suffer from P.A.D.
</p>
<p>Each study will enroll 75 patients at up to 20 sites in Europe and the
U.S. The principal investigators leading the studies are Dr. Peter
Faries of Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York City, and Dr. John
Rundback of Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, New Jersey.
</p>
<p>”The DURABILITY Iliac and VISIBILITY Iliac studies are highly
significant,” said Dr. Faries. “These trials will evaluate the
effectiveness of three outstanding stents used to treat iliac artery
occlusive disease, providing additional evidence of peripheral stenting
as a recognized standard in the treatment of iliac artery diseases.”
</p>
<p>”They represent unique companion studies for patients with a diverse
range of symptomatic iliac atherosclerotic disease,” said Dr. Rundback.
“Often, complex patient anatomic patterns exist that may support
preferential treatment with one stent system compared to another; the
availability of data on these different and complementary stents in
comparable patient populations will improve the ability to make
confident and evidence-based treatment decisions when caring for these
patients.”
</p>
<p>The Visi-Pro Protégé EverFlex and Protégé GPS stents are available in
the U.S. for the palliative treatment of malignant neoplasms in the
biliary tree. Covidien is conducting the DURABILITY Iliac and VISIBILITY
Iliac studies to generate clinical evidence to evaluate the
effectiveness of the Covidien stent systems in treating P.A.D. of the
iliac arteries.
</p>
<p>”With the high incidence of P.A.D., Covidien is committed to improving
clinical outcomes and furthering the evaluation of the effectiveness of
our stents systems. This is a key component in the continuum of care for
the treatment of P.A.D. patients,” said Joe Woody, President, Vascular
Therapies, Covidien.
</p>
<p><b>ABOUT COVIDIEN</b></p>
<p>Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates
innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers
value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures,
distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product
lines in three segments: Medical Devices, Pharmaceuticals and Medical
Supplies. With 2010 revenue of $10.4 billion, Covidien has 41,000
employees worldwide in more than 65 countries, and its products are sold
in over 140 countries. Please visit <a rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank” href=”http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.covidien.com&amp;esheet=6820606&amp;lan=en-US&amp;anchor=www.covidien.com&amp;index=1&amp;md5=301a1f53f625d19239adf99334072958″>www.covidien.com</a>
to learn more about our business.
</p></span>

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