Stomach illness prompts clearance for Medtronic therapy.

Regulatory hurdles have been overcome to clear the way for doctors to use an implantable therapy, devised by Medtronic Inc, that provides electrical stimulation of the stomach to treat a life-threatening illness.

The Minneapolis company received a humanitarian device exemption (HDE) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) so that its therapy can be used to treat patients with gastro-paresis, a disorder marked by chronic nausea and vomiting. Medtronic Enterra[TM] therapy uses an implanted neurostimulator to deliver electrical pulses to nerves in the stomach.

The HDE covers the use of Enterra therapy for patients whose symptoms are caused by diabetes or where the cause is not known.

For further information, contact: Rachael Scherer, Investor Relations, Medtronic Inc, 7000 Central Avenue, NE, Minneapolis, MN 55432-3576, USA; tel: +1-612-514-4971; E-mail: rachael.scherer@medtronic.com; Internet address: http://www.medtronic.com