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Gore Announces New Material for Bariatric Surgery

20 June 2003 (Flagstaff, Arizona)

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) has introduced the GORE

SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement Material, an

innovative, bioabsorbable membrane designed for reinforcing surgical

staple lines in pulmonary and bariatric surgery.

GORE SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement Material is

composed of historically-safe bioabsorbable polymers used in sutures,

surgical meshes and implantable devices. It consists of a

bioabsorbable membrane formed into a sleeve with the use of a

polyester braided suture. Thinner and more flexible than other

reinforcement materials, the membrane retains measurable strength for

4 to 5 weeks and is completely absorbed within 6 months. This feature

is an improvement over existing reinforcement materials, which do not

dissolve over time.

Since the GORE SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement

Material is entirely synthetic, it does not carry the risk of animal-

source contamination. As a bioabsorbable membrane, there is less risk

of long-term complications associated with permanent materials, such

as migration, erosion, calcification and nidus for infection.

The GORE SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement Material

underwent extensive testing with the assistance of Randal Baker,

M.D., FACS, and his partner, Foote, M.D., FACS, both surgeons

with Spectrum Health and Michigan Medical P.C. (MMPC). Drs. Baker and

Foote are among the first surgeons in the U.S. to treat obesity

through laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Dr. Baker commented, " I

believe the SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Material represents one of the

most significant innovative advances to revolutionize staple line

reinforcement. Patient care has just been given a giant boost

forward! "

GORE SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement Material is

indicated for use in surgical procedures involving soft tissue

transection or resection with staple line reinforcement. This

includes cases of lung resection, lung volume reduction, and

bariatric surgery such as gastric bypass and gastric banding. The new

reinforcement material will be particularly effective in obesity

surgery on the stomach and bowel, where it will reduce bleeding and

leakage.

The GORE SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Material can be loaded quickly and

easily onto stapler jaws and stays in place during insertion through

trocars and during tissue manipulation. As the thinnest staple line

reinforcement product available, it permits a wide range of tissue

thicknesses to be stapled.

Gore is introducing the SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Staple Line

Reinforcement Material to bariatric surgeons at the meeting of the

American Society of Bariatric Surgery in Boston, Mass., June 17-21.

ABOUT W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Gore is a leading manufacturer of thousands of advanced technology

products for the electronics, industrial, fabrics and medical

markets. The Gore Medical Products Division provides creative healing

solutions to complex medical problems. Gore Medical provides such

products as synthetic vascular grafts, interventional devices,

surgical meshes for hernia repair, and sutures for use in vascular,

cardiac, general surgery and orthopedic procedures. With over 7.5

million implants, these devices have been saving and improving the

quality of lives worldwide for the past 26 years.

GORE and SEAMGUARD® are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.

© 2003 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. AG4943-EN1

Contact: Medical Customer Service

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

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For information on careers and other divisions, visit the Gore

Corporate site.

© 2003 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.