COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. and WASHINGTON, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spectranetics Corporation (Nasdaq: SPNC) today announced its products were used in two separate live case sessions at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) convention, which is being held this week in Washington, D.C., and which is attended by more than 9,000 physicians.

The first live case session featured a 2.3 millimeter diameter CLiRpath(R) excimer laser catheter recently cleared in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration to treat a total occlusion in the popliteal artery of the leg. The blockage was successfully treated by Professor Giancarlo Biamino, M.D. and Dierk Schienert, M.D. of Leipzig Heart Center in Leipzig, Germany. Dr. Biamino pioneered the use of laser technology for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease and has performed more than 5,000 peripheral cases utilizing the excimer laser system.

The second live case featured a patient with a chronic total occlusion (CTO) in the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery that was successfully crossed using a Prima(R) Laser Wire and a Quick-Cross(R) support catheter. The female patient treated had triple-vessel disease, with the target lesion having previously failed crossing attempts with mechanical wires. Jaap N. Hamburger, M.D., Ph.D., of Vancouver General Hospital, British Columbia, performed the successful crossing of the CTO, which was approximately 20 millimeters in length, in roughly 10 minutes.

Dr. Hamburger commented, "I'm excited about the re-emergence of the Prima Laser Wire technology. The treatment of chronic total occlusions continues to be a challenging indication for interventionalists. Today's procedure clearly demonstrated the capability of the device to cross otherwise resistant chronic total occlusions."

About Spectranetics

Spectranetics is a medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets single-use medical devices used in minimally invasive surgical procedures within the cardiovascular system in conjunction with its proprietary excimer laser system. Our CVX-300(R) excimer laser is the only system approved by the FDA for multiple cardiovascular procedures, including coronary atherectomy, and the removal of problematic pacemaker and defibrillator leads. Nearly all of our FDA-approved and investigational applications have received Communautes Europeennes (CE) mark registration for marketing within Europe. In April 2004, we obtained 510(k) clearance from the FDA for the laser-based treatment of patients suffering from total occlusions (blockages) in their leg arteries that are not crossable with a guide wire.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties may include increasing price and product competition, increased pressure on expense levels resulting from expanded marketing and clinical activities, uncertain success of the Company's strategic direction, dependence on new product development, intellectual property claims of third parties, availability of inventory from suppliers, the receipt of FDA approval to market new products or applications and the timeliness of any approvals, the potential size of market opportunities associated with new products, market acceptance of new products or applications, product defects, price volatility due to the initiation or cessation of coverage, or changes in ratings, by securities analysts. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any anticipated results, performance or achievements, please see the Company's previously filed SEC reports. Spectranetics disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any financial projections or forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Spectranetics and CVX-300 are registered trademarks of The Spectranetics Corporation.

For more information, please contact: John Schulte, Chief Executive Officer, or Guy Childs, Chief Financial Officer, both of Spectranetics Corporation, +1-719-633-8333; or investors and media, Bruce Voss, or Ina McGuinness, both of Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc., +1-310-691-7100, for Spectranetics.

SOURCE Spectranetics Corporation