Frost & Sullivan Recognizes Kensey Nash for Excellence in Technology f

    Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

    PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 7, 2005--Frost & Sullivan today announced it has selected Kensey Nash Corporation (Nasdaq:KNSY) as the recipient of the 2005 Excellence in Technology of the Year Award in cardiac embolic protection systems in recognition of the company's design and development of the triActiv(R) System, a novel embolic protection device that prevents debris from traveling downstream from the treatment site during stenting procedures.
    "Kensey Nash has been on the forefront of developing new and innovative technologies in cardiology by pioneering the concept of arterial closure," says Frost & Sullivan research analyst AN Aditya. "With its expertise in biomaterials, the company became the first to place a resorbable biomaterial component into the human vascular system."
    An emerging area that Kensey Nash is currently focusing on is embolic protection systems. The triActiv(R) System represents the company's latest technological innovation intended to provide the interventional cardiologist with a comprehensive solution for capturing and removing dislodged embolic material.
    Embolic debris is closely associated with the adverse events of heart attacks and strokes in patients undergoing stenting procedures. The triActiv(R) System is indicated for the protection of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) with subsequent product extensions to include the protection of native coronary arteries and carotid arteries during intervention.
    The triActiv(R) System and its associated procedure involves the active protection of the target vein graft with a protection balloon followed by the active flush and extraction of debris from the treated vessel, thus, preventing embolization to the distal vascular bed.
    During active protection, all atherothrombotic debris liberated in the target vessel during PCI are trapped by temporarily occluding the vessel by means of a carbon dioxide-filled balloon integrated on a 0.014 inch guide wire known as the ShieldWire(TM) Balloon Guidewire. The balloon is inflated during contrast injection, prior to treatment, trapping contrast in the vessel and creating a protected space whereby no debris can migrate distally to the microvasculature. Superior visibility of the vessel is possible due to the standing column of contrast contained by the balloon.
    Once this procedure is completed, the "active flush and extraction" process starts, wherein a flush catheter -- FlushCath(TM) Catheter -- is advanced over the integrated balloon guidewire. The flush catheter is attached and primed through a flow control unit AutoStream(TM) Flow Control. The flow control is switched on and extraction utilizing a peristaltic pump extraction system is begun using the guide catheter to remove debris from the vessel. Active flushing then commences to dislodge debris from the balloon surface, vessel wall, and stent struts. Finally, the balloon is deflated and blood flow restored to the target vessel.
    Presently the triActiv(R) System is the only distal embolic protection system that actively and uniformly flushes and extracts debris from the target vessel. It is easy to use, provides complete entrapment, flushing and extraction of debris, and offers a high degree of control over vessel occlusion and visibility (a rapid balloon inflation with CO2 allows contrast capture).
    The triActiv(R) System has been granted the Conformite Europene (CE) Mark and is available in Europe; Kensey Nash expects to initiate its U.S. sales this year upon receiving 510(K) approval.
    Frost & Sullivan presents its Excellence in Technology of the Year Award to the company that has pioneered the development and introduction of an innovative technology into the market -- a technology that either has impacted or has the potential to impact several market sectors. The Award recognizes the overall technical excellence of the recipient company and its commitment toward technology innovation.

    About Kensey Nash Corporation

    Kensey Nash Corporation (Nasdaq:KNSY) is a leading developer and manufacturer of absorbable biomaterials-based products with applications in the cardiology, orthopedics, spine, drug and biologics delivery, periodontal/dental, surgical, and wound care markets. The company was a pioneer in the field of arterial puncture closure as the inventor and developer of the Angio-Seal(TM) Vascular Closure Device. Angio-Seal(TM) is licensed to St. Jude Medical, Inc. The company's triActiv(R) Balloon Protected Flush Extraction System for the treatment of saphenous vein graft disease is commercialized in the European Union. Kensey Nash has submitted an application for 510(k) clearance for its triActiv(R) System to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, following the completion of a major clinical study.

    About Frost & Sullivan

    Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company founded in 1961, partners with clients to create value through innovative growth strategies. The foundation of this partnership approach is our Growth Partnership Services platform, whereby we provide industry research, marketing strategies, consulting, and training to our clients to help grow their business. A key benefit that Frost & Sullivan brings to its clients is a global perspective on a broad range of industries, markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. With a client list that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, as well as the investment community, Frost & Sullivan has evolved into one of the premier growth consulting companies in the world. For more information, visit www.frost.com.

    NOTE TO EDITORS: In the phrase "CO2" the "2" is a subscript numeral. It was changed for transmission purposes only.

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CONTACT: Frost & Sullivan Stacie Jones, 210-247-2450 Stacie.jones@frost.com

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