Press Releases

SEATTLE, March 2, 2007- Cardinal Health, the leading provider of products and services supporting the health-care industry, today introduced its AVAmax™ Advanced Vertebral Augmentation System at the Society of Interventional Radiology’s (SIR) annual meeting.

The system has unique components that offer major clinical advantages for physicians who perform vertebral augmentation, a minimally-invasive procedure to treat vertebral compression fractures. More than 200,000 vertebral augmentation procedures are performed globally each year.

One of the most notable advancements in the system is a unique coaxial cement tube that extends through the access cannula as a liner. This leaves the cannulas clear of cement material, allowing the physician greater control and options throughout the procedure.

“This technology is superior over traditional vertebroplasty,” said Dr. Kevin McGraw, Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. “Since I can remove or insert the co-axial tube anytime during the procedure, my control over cement flow is increased. In many ways, this technology is similar to using a sheath in vascular interventions.”

The new system also features the AVAflex™ curved injection needle that allows for targeted cement placement. The AVAflex needle is made from nitinol, a super-elastic alloy also used for interventional devices such as flexible stents. The AVAflex needle helps physicians target areas that a straight cannula might not be able to reach, giving clinicians excellent maneuverability.

“The curved needle allows me to inject bone cement in places that would be very difficult using current techniques,” said Allan Brook, M.D., director of Interventional Neuroradiology at Montefiore Medical Center in New York. “To be able to target areas that cause pain via a single pedicle approach is clearly innovative.”

“AVAmax offer clinicians the tools they need to provide the most advanced and specialized vertebral augmentation,” said Tom Daulton, Cardinal Health’s vice president and general manager of Special Procedures. “Drs. Brook and McGraw were part of a physician team that assisted us in the development of this product. By working with these leading interventional radiologists, we developed solutions that offer a flexible approach to targeted cement placement.”

About Cardinal Health
Headquartered in Dublin, Ohio, Cardinal Health, Inc. (NYSE: CAH) is an $81 billion, global company serving the health-care industry with a broad portfolio of products and services. Through its diverse offerings, Cardinal Health delivers health-care solutions that help customers reduce their costs, improve safety and productivity, and deliver better care to patients. The company manufactures, packages and distributes pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, offers a range of clinical services and develops automation products that improve the management and delivery of supplies and medication for hospitals, physician offices and pharmacies. Ranked No. 19 on the Fortune 500, Cardinal Health employs more than 55,000 people on six continents. More information about the company may be found at www.cardinalhealth.com

Note: Reporters interested in a demonstration of the new AVAmax system are encouraged to visit the Cardinal Health booth 535 at SIR in the Washington State Convention and Trade Center.