Medtronic Expands Educational Support for Improved Diabetes Management

Medtronic Expands Educational Support for Improved Diabetes Management; New On-Line Event Finder Helps Patients Locate Free Diabetes Education Classes in Their Communities

    Business Editors/Healthcare Editors

    NORTHRIDGE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 2005--The Diabetes business of Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE:MDT) today introduced a new event-finder on www.minimed.com to help patients find free diabetes management classes in their communities. Clinicians are a vital source of information for diabetes patients and Medtronic is committed to complementing their work by hosting supplemental education for patients interested in improving their blood sugar control and learning more about insulin pump therapy.
    "Managing diabetes is an ongoing learning process and, as treatment choices continue to evolve, I can direct my patients to classes that deepen their understanding of diabetes management and technologies that can improve their health and quality of life," said Thomas Ortiz, M.D., medical director of Forest Hill Family Health Associates, in Newark, New Jersey.
    Using the on-line event finder, patients enter their zip codes to find the dates, times, locations and directions to free "Patient Information Events" in their communities. Classes range from beginning to advanced and cover a variety of topics, including Carbohydrate Counting and Meal Planning; Advanced Carbohydrate Counting and Introduction to Pump Therapy; Optimizing Pump Therapy; Advanced Insulin Pump Skills; and Uncovering Glucose Trends. A number of classes and educational materials are offered in Spanish for Hispanic Americans, the second-largest and fastest-growing minority group with diabetes in the United States. Medtronic insulin pumps can be programmed to display a variety of languages, including Spanish.
    "As the 20-year industry leader, we are pleased to expand our educational support and personalized service to improve the lives of people with diabetes," said Robert Guezuraga, president of Medtronic Diabetes. "Patients using Medtronic pump therapy and physicians who prescribe it enter into a valuable long-term relationship with our company and we are dedicated to serving their needs."
    In addition to the new event finder, Medtronic continues to offer a variety of educational programs and services, including:

--	Physician Finder: An online tool helps patients find physicians who prescribe pump therapy in their local communities. At www.minimed.com.
--	Community Outreach Pump Education (COPE) Program: Supports healthcare professionals who have limited educational resources. Classes are offered to patients to expand their understanding of how easy and effective pump therapy is for managing diabetes.
--	Pump Expeditions: A fun "day in the life" animated web game teaches the principles of pump therapy to young pump users. At www.pumpexpeditions.com.
--	Pump School On-line: Users can learn the basics of pump therapy and button pushing with interactive scenarios and feedback. This training tool is designed for use at home, before the hands-on training with a diabetes educator. At www.pumpschoolonline.com.
--	CME Program: A web-based and CD-rom-based Continuing Medical Education (CME) program, sponsored by Medtronic Diabetes, will be offered to clinicians this spring on CMEcorner.com. The program will focus on the intensive management of diabetes.
--	Certified Pump Trainers: Assists patients with technical training for "pump starts" and new product introductions.

    About Pump Therapy

    An external insulin pump is the most advanced method for precise and adjustable insulin delivery. Pump users can start or stop insulin upon demand and insulin is delivered automatically around the clock, much like a healthy pancreas. Many patients experience improved quality of life with pump therapy, ridding themselves of multiple injections, strict meal schedules and rigid sleep patterns. Insulin pump therapy is covered by private insurance, as well as Medicare and Medicaid.
    Medtronic offers an upgrade program that provides customers with access to clinically advanced features without having to buy a new pump. Paradigm insulin pump customers can upgrade to the company's newest offering: Paradigm(R) 515 and 715 insulin pump systems and the Medtronic CareLink(R) Therapy Management System for Diabetes, a web-based system that organizes information into easy-to-understand reports to aid patients and their physicians with treatment decisions.
    Medtronic Diabetes (www.minimed.com) is the world leader in insulin pump therapy and continuous glucose monitoring. The company's products include external insulin pumps, related disposable products, and continuous glucose monitoring systems. Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease.

    Any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in Medtronic's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2004. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.

    EDITOR'S NOTE: Detailed information about diabetes, insulin pump therapy, Paradigm 515 and 715 insulin pump systems and the Medtronic CareLink Therapy Management for Diabetes are available by accessing Medtronic's online newsroom at www.medtronic.com/newsroom. A direct link to the event finder tool can be accessed at: www.minimed.com/events.

--30--JH/ms*

CONTACT: Medtronic, Inc. Investor Relations: Rob Carson, 763-505-2705 or Public Relations: Deanne McLaughlin, 818-576-4325

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA MINNESOTA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MEDICAL MEDICAL DEVICES CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD INTERNET E-COMMERCE PRODUCT SOURCE: Medtronic, Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005