Automated and controlled fluid delivery ensures accurate, reproducible test results ANDOVER, Mass., Oct. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Smith & Nephew's (NYSE: SNN)(LSE:SN) Endoscopy division today announced the launch of its Controlled Disc Stimulation (CDS) System, which provides a standard platform for discography, a method for diagnosing the source of disc-related back or neck pain. Discography is based on the premise that stressing a pain-generating disc by increasing its internal pressure should reproduce the patient's pain. During discography, a clinician injects a contrast dye solution into a vertebral disc to identify the disc or discs causing the patient's pain. Accurate pressure recordings are critical to the diagnostic validity of the procedure. Other discography systems cannot compensate for variables in the way the test is administered, which can influence results. The CDS System, however, provides automated, controlled fluid delivery. Its control unit accurately measures disc pressure throughout the procedure, minimizing the possibility of technique variations from one clinician to the next. Ultimately, test results that are inconsistent can affect the way clinicians interpret the results and determine what course of treatment is appropriate for the patient. "The CDS System provides the standard we have lacked for discography as an objective diagnostic tool," said Dr. Richard Guyer, a spine surgeon at the Texas Back Institute in Plano, Texas. "Now clinicians can measure disc pressure using the same yardstick, for results that are accurate and reproducible." A remote control unit provides the clinician with command over the procedure from outside the sterile field, shifting the focus from the equipment to the patient. "Physicians can prescribe a spectrum of treatments for lower back pain. The more information physicians have about the patient's condition and pain level, the better decisions they can make about treatment options," said John Mullen, vice president, Smith & Nephew's Spine Division. About Smith & Nephew Smith & Nephew is a global medical technology business, specializing in Orthopaedics, Endoscopy and Advanced Wound Management products. Smith & Nephew is a global leader in arthroscopy and advanced wound management and is one of the fastest growing 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 has over 8,500 employees and operates in 33 countries around the world generating annual revenue of $2.3 billion. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In particular, statements regarding expected revenue growth and 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, claims 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. DATASOURCE: Smith & Nephew CONTACT: Joe Metzger of Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, +1-978-749-1330 Web site: http://www.smith-nephew.com/

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