CareFusion Signs Exclusive Partnership Agreement With Minimally Invasive Devices to Distribute FloShield Laparoscopic Technology

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CareFusion (NYSE: CFN), a leading, global medical device company, today announced a distribution agreement with Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc., a venture-backed Ohio medical device company, to sell and market the FloShield™ product line for laparoscopic surgeries.

With this agreement, CareFusion is the exclusive external distributor for FloShield and will market and sell the products alongside its own industry leading line of V.Mueller® and Snowden-Pencer® surgical instruments.

FloShield is an innovative, first-in-class device that addresses several of the top issues surgeons face when performing laparoscopic surgery. Specifically, the product helps keep the laparoscope lens free from debris and fog during surgery, helping to greatly reduce the need for surgeons to remove and clean the lens, leading to reduced surgery time.

"During minimally invasive surgery, operating room teams have struggled to keep the laparoscopic lens clean, either constantly removing it, or operating with a diminished view," said Dr. Wayne Poll, CEO of Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc., a laparoscopic surgeon. "FloShield has finally solved this problem and we could not be more pleased that CareFusion has partnered with us to help improve the safety and efficiency of a number of different procedures."

Minimally Invasive Devices and FloShield were recently awarded the "Excellence in Surgical Products Award" by Surgical Products magazine. In addition, two white papers have been written on FloShield for "Efficiency and Saving Time During Laparoscopic Surgery" where the product provided cost savings of $230-460 per surgery and reduced surgery time 10-20 minutes per case.

"FloShield is a great example of CareFusion's guiding principles of improving patient safety," said Jim Leitl, vice president and general manager of Medical Specialties at CareFusion. "We are excited to be working with Minimally Invasive Devices as an exclusive partner in external distribution and look forward to further expanding the use of this innovative device in operating rooms."

About FloShield

FloShield is an approximately 12-inch, clear, disposable sheath that fits over a laparoscope. The device integrates the existing air flow from standard insufflator lines to create a continuous air curtain that protects the laparoscope lens which increases visibility and reduces the need to remove the laparoscope for cleaning by eliminating fogging and sticking of debris on the laparoscope lens. FloShield may also help to reduce surgery time, ultimately lowering operating room costs. In addition, this device does not require an external energy source.

About CareFusion Corporation

CareFusion (NYSE: CFN) is a global corporation serving the health care industry with products and services that help hospitals measurably improve the safety and quality of care. The company develops market-leading technologies including Alaris® IV pumps, Pyxis® automated dispensing and patient identification systems, AVEA® and Pulmonetic Systems ventilation and respiratory products, ChloraPrep® products, MedMined™ services for infection surveillance, NeuroCare neurological monitoring and diagnostic products, V. Mueller® surgical instruments, and an extensive line of products that support interventional medicine. CareFusion employs more than 15,000 people across its global operations. More information may be found at www.carefusion.com.

About Minimally Invasive Devices

Minimally Invasive Devices, Inc. (MID) was founded by a laparoscopic surgeon to develop surgical tools that facilitate and enable the performance of Minimally Invasive Surgery. MID's patent portfolio includes technology to improve visualization during laparoscopic surgery, two technologies that facilitate laparoscopic suturing, and a device that simplifies the removal of ureteral stones. The company will launch two new laparoscopic products in both 2010 and 2011. More information may be found at www.midsurgical.com.

SOURCE CareFusion Corporation