Dornier MedTech receives FDA approval for its Epos Ultra®, a revolutionary orthopedic shock wave device used to treat plantar fasciitist

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 21, 2002 – With over a decade of extensive research in the field of orthopedic shock wave applications, Dornier MedTech recently received FDA approval to market its Epos Ultra® extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) device in the U.S. market for the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL®) was invented by Dornier MedTech in the early ‘80s for the disintegration of kidney stones and is today the gold standard for urinary stone treatment.

ESWT has for several years been successfully used for a variety of orthopedic indications in many parts of the world. The therapy uses shock waves (also known as pressure or sound waves) delivered outside the body to trigger an individual’sown repair mechanisms.

ESWT is a safe and non-invasive treatment option for themillions of people who suffer from heel pain. The Epos Ultra is the only device on the market to include an imaging system to help the user continuously observe and control therapy. Moreover, the Epos Ultra is unique in its ability to offer versatile, controlled power ranges and is very quiet to operate.

"Our recent FDA approval of the Epos Ultra is a significant entry for Dornier into the field of orthopedics," says Brian Walsh, general manager of Dornier MedTech America. "As the inventor of shock wave therapy, this represents a major opportunity to expand our core technology into new and exciting applications."

"The Epos Ultra has already been used to successfully treat thousands of patients worldwide," adds Walsh. "We’re pleased to now offer this break-though treatment option for physicians who treat millions of patients suffering from heel spurs each year
right here in the U.S."

FDA investigational studies for plantar fasciitis using the Epos Ultra took place at Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia; Henry Ford Health System in Detroit, Michigan; Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston; Fowler Kennedy Sport Medicine Clinic in Ontario, Canada; Orthopedic Clinic in Kassel, Germany; and at the private practice of Dr. Christine Bachmann in Germering, Germany.

Dornier MedTech (www.dornier.com) is a privately-held company that develops, manufactures and markets lithotripters, orthopedic shock wave devices, urotables, medical lasers and other medical products. For more information, telephone Dornier MedTech America at 800-367-6437.