WARSAW, Ind., Aug 27, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --
Program provides innovative education opportunity for orthopaedic surgeons worldwide
Zimmer Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ZMH) recently utilized innovative Internet-based broadcast technology to offer an estimated 500-plus orthopaedic surgeons around the world a convenient and novel education opportunity. The broadcast featured a live surgery presentation demonstrating how an increasingly popular partial knee (unicondylar) replacement procedure is conducted using Zimmer's Minimally Invasive Solutions(TM) (MIS) Instrumentation.
Participating surgeons could view, through a global webcast, the live surgery of a Zimmer M/G(TM) Unicompartmental Knee implanted using the Zimmer MIS procedure. The program enabled viewing surgeons to submit questions through e-mail to surgeon faculty members performing the operation at Rush- Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago. An estimated 500-plus surgeons at more than 100 locations in nine countries viewed the live webcast surgery. The program will be archived for future reference by other surgeons. Zimmer also plans to post an edited version of the program for general viewing on the www.zimmer.com and www.pacewithlife.com web sites.
"Zimmer is committed to help orthopaedic surgeons enhance their skills so that they can have confidence in providing the best orthopaedic care possible for their patients," said Ray Elliott, Zimmer Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "This program is an example of the creative ways we will continue to utilize cutting-edge technology to offer knowledge transfer opportunities that are effective yet highly convenient for surgeons. Zimmer is placing special emphasis on education programs focused on MIS procedures. We also recently announced the creation of a Zimmer MIS Institute to facilitate our global efforts. We believe these procedures offer many potential benefits for patients and we are dedicated to helping surgeons worldwide bring these benefits to their patients."
The Zimmer webcast program was conducted August 22, 2002. Dr. Richard A. Berger, M.D., Assistant Professor, Rush University, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, performed the surgical procedure. Moderating the event were Dr. Aaron G. Rosenberg, M.D., Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, and Dr. Alfred J. Tria, M.D., Clinical Professor, Division of Orthopaedics, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, New Jersey. The 90-minute webcast utilized a new streaming technology provided by slp3D of Hartford, Conn. This technology helps avoid the jerky images common with older webcast technologies and therefore provides a higher quality image.
The program was among the first applications of this new webcast technology within orthopaedics. Zimmer expects to use this technology for future programs. New internet broadband capabilities are especially attractive because they can provide high quality broadcasts to any computer in the world connected through a linkage technology such as DSL, cable, T1, or a high speed network connection. This makes it very convenient for surgeons to participate in such education programs without having to take the time and expense of traveling to a distant location.
Zimmer, based in Warsaw, Indiana, is a global leader in the design, development, manufacture and marketing of reconstructive orthopaedic implants and fracture management products. Orthopaedic reconstruction implants restore joint function lost due to disease or trauma in joints such as knees, hips, shoulders and elbows. Fracture management products are devices used primarily to reattach or stabilize damaged bone and tissue to support the body's natural healing process. Zimmer also manufactures and markets other products related to orthopaedic and general surgery. For the year 2001, Zimmer recorded worldwide revenues of approximately $1.2 billion. Zimmer was founded in 1927 and has more than 3,400 employees worldwide.
Visit Zimmer on the worldwide web at www.zimmer.com
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the orthopaedics industry, management's beliefs and assumptions made by management. Forward- looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terms such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "targets," "forecasts," and "seeks" or the negative of such terms or other variations on such terms or comparable terminology. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, price and product competition, rapid technological development, demographic changes, dependence on new product development, the mix of our products and services, customer demand for our products and services, our ability to successfully integrate acquired companies, control of costs and expenses, our ability to form and implement alliances, international growth, U.S. and foreign government regulation, reimbursement levels from third-party payors, general industry and market conditions and growth rates and general domestic and international economic conditions including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by Zimmer with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Zimmer disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.