LASERSCOPE INTRODUCES NEW LASER SYSTEM; New State-of-the-Art Aura is Designed for In-Office Dermatology Procedures

Business Wire, August 2, 1995

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 2, 1995--Laserscope (Nasdaq:LSCP) announced that it has introduced a new laser system designed for surgical and dermatological procedures in an office or outpatient center.

Introduced at the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) meeting, the system is about the size of a household microwave appliance and operates on standard electrical current.

"The new system was very well received at the AAD meeting," said Robert V. McCormick, Laserscope President and CEO. "Dermatologists and cosmetic surgeons attending the convention were impressed with the Aura's unique, adjustable pulsing mode which allows them to match the laser's pulse with the thermal relaxation times of various vascular and pigmented lesions to produce optimum, customized results."

The system is available with Laserscope's SmartScan(tm), a microprocessor-controlled dermatologic scanning device introduced at the AAD meeting in September 1994. SmartScan is the medical industry's first fully-integrated laser light delivery device to treat benign vascular and pigmented surface lesions.

Skin conditions that can be treated using the Aura or the Aura/SmartScan combination include vascular lesions such as leg veins, hemangiomas, birth marks and facial spider veins, as well as benign occurrences such as brown sun spots, liver spots, skin tags, warts and moles.

"It can remove most reddish or light brown spots that form or occur on the skin," said Mr. McCormick.

The new Aura system, which has received marketing clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, delivers up to 10 watts of KTP/532(r) laser energy and is available with a broad array of fiberoptic delivery devices, making it ideal for a dermatologist's office or an outpatient surgical center.

In its pulsing mode, the Aura produces high bursts of KTP/532 energy at short pulse widths. The StarPulse(tm) feature allows the physician or dermatologist to independently adjust power, pulse width and pulse rate.

In its surgical mode, the Aura produces precise hemostatic incision, coagulation and vaporization.

"While the system will have initial appeal to dermatologists," said Mr. McCormick, "we are exploring new StarPulse applications in human fertility as well as several areas in ear, nose and throat surgery."

The new Aura laser system is scheduled for shipment in October, and will be available with a custom cart/smoke evacuation system.

Laserscope, a leading provider of innovative and minimally-invasive surgical systems, designs and markets an advanced line of medical laser systems, surgical delivery devices, reusables and disposables. It markets its products to hospitals, outpatient surgical centers and physician offices in the U.S., the U.K. and France through its own direct sales force and through exclusive distributor arrangements in Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Pacific Rim.

CONTACT: Laserscope

Richard Wood (IR/media), Thomas Boyd (financial)

408/943-0636

or

Wilson McHenry Company

Veronica Skelton/Marilyn Kilcrease, 415/638-3400