Medtronic Responds to Rulings in Litigation with Cross Medical Product

    Business Editors/Health Editors/Legal Editors

    MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 14, 2005--Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today announced that a California District Court issued multiple rulings regarding the ongoing patent case with Cross Medical Products, Inc., a Biomet company. The rulings indicate that Cross Medical's '442 crosslink and '602 cervical plate patents are invalid. In addition, the judge determined that Medtronic cervical plate patents '786 and '927 are valid and were infringed by Cross Medical. Medtronic intends to seek appropriate damages for the infringement. The crosslink and cervical plate technologies are utilized in spinal fusion surgery.
    The court also ruled that one of two claims within Cross Medical's '555 patent family, which involves multi-axial screws, was infringed by Medtronic.
    Medtronic disagrees with the Court's infringement decision on the '555 patent and intends to pursue all available legal remedies, including its right to exercise an appeal regarding this judgment. Decisions regarding infringement by the Court will not be decided until May and the infringement decision does not have any immediate impact on Medtronic's ability to continue to market these products for the benefit of patients with spinal disorders.
    In addition, there is an existing appeal with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington D.C. of a prior infringement ruling on the '555 patent which Medtronic believes could positively impact the infringement decision regarding the '555 patent. A ruling on this appeal is anticipated in the coming weeks.

    Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. Its Internet address is www.medtronic.com.

    Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties as described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2004. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

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CONTACT: Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis Investor Relations: Rachael Scherer, 763-505-2694 or Public Relations: David Folkens, 763-505-2634

KEYWORD: MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL MEDICAL DEVICES BIOTECHNOLOGY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS SOURCE: Medtronic, Inc.

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