Conceptus' Essure Procedure Focus of Multiple Abstracts and Poster Pr

Conceptus' Essure Procedure Focus of Multiple Abstracts and Poster Presentations at ACOG; Investigators Win Blue Ribbon Awards for their Presentations

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

    SAN CARLOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 17, 2005--Conceptus, Inc. (Nasdaq:CPTS) today announced that its Essure(R) procedure was the focus of multiple abstracts and poster presentations at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Annual Clinical Meeting held in San Francisco, Calif. May 7-11, 2005.
    Five abstracts on the Essure procedure were accepted by ACOG including a clinical investigation paper presented by Rafael Valle, M.D. entitled, "Concomitant Essure Tubal Sterilization and Gynecare Thermachoice Endometrial Ablation: Feasibility and Safety." The data presented provide compelling reasons for combining non-incisional tubal sterilization with endometrial ablation.
    Two posters, one by Jose Arjona, M.D. and the other by John Kerin, M.D., Ph.D., were awarded blue ribbons for their topics for being "most interesting." The abstracts were reviewed by the Committee on Scientific Program and are as follows:

--	Essure(R): The Minimally Invasive Alternative to the Laparoscopic Tubal Sterilization by Jose E. Arjona, M.D.
--	Hysteroscopic Sterilization: Long term safety & efficacy by John Kerin, M.D., Ph.D.

    In addition, there were two other posters on the Essure procedure presented at the ACOG meeting.
    Conceptus supported two Post Graduate Courses that helped train approximately 160 physicians by Barbara Levy, M.D. and Robert Zurawin, M.D. in hands-on operative hysteroscopy. The goal of the course was to highlight the importance of the hysteroscopic approach in advancing minimally invasive surgery in the gynecology practice.
    Conceptus also sponsored a standing-room-only CME breakfast symposium featuring presentations on hysteroscopic sterilization as an office based alternative to traditional laparoscopic procedures.
    By popular request, a meeting was held to update clinicians on the current reimbursement status of hysteroscopic tubal sterilization in light of the new CPT code which went into effect at the start of 2005.
    "The Essure procedure was well-represented at this year's ACOG meeting and our booth was filled with attendees who heard presentations on long-term data and on performing the procedure in-office," said Mark Sieczkarek, president and CEO of Conceptus. "We continue to increase the volume of data that supports the Essure procedure as a safe, efficacious and cost-effective procedure for permanent birth control. The high level of excitement and interest physicians have for this procedure continues to grow as awareness grows throughout the medical and patient community."

    About Essure

    The Essure procedure deploys a soft micro-insert into the fallopian tube through the cervix using a minimally invasive transcervical tubal access catheter. Once in place, the device is designed to elicit tissue growth in and around the micro-insert to form an occlusion or blockage in the fallopian tube. An Essure procedure does not require cutting or penetrating the abdomen and can be performed in a less costly procedure setting without general anesthesia. A woman is able to return home about 45 minutes after the procedure is completed. There is a three-month waiting period after the procedure during which women must use another form of birth control. Essure is 99.80% effective after three years of follow-up.

    About Conceptus

    Conceptus, Inc. manufactures and markets Essure, an innovative medical device and procedure, designed to provide a non-incisional alternative to tubal ligation, which is the leading form of birth control worldwide. The availability of Essure in the U.S. is expected to open up a market currently occupied by incisional tubal ligation and vasectomy, which combined account for over 1 million procedures annually.
    Additional information about the Essure procedure is available at www.Essure.com or by calling the Essure Information line at 1-877-ESSURE1. Additional information about Conceptus is available at www.conceptus.com or by calling 1-877-ESSURE2.

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CONTACT: Conceptus, Inc. Corporate: Gregory Lichtwardt, 650-628-4700 glichtwardt@conceptus.com Media: Rebecca Holt, 650-628-4909 Rebecca_Holt@conceptus.com or Investor Relations: Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates Kim Sutton Golodetz, 212-838-3777 kgolodetz@lhai.com Bruce Voss, 310-691-7100 bvoss@lhai.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL PHARMACEUTICAL CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD MEDICAL DEVICES TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: Conceptus, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005