Somnus Medical Technologies Reports Installed Base Exceeds 160

Business Wire, May 6, 1998

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--May 6, 1998--Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:SOMN), today announced that during the month of April, the company shipped domestically 31 RF generators, the control system for the company's Somnoplasty(SM) System, bringing the installed base in North America to 162 systems. The company had previously announced shipments in North America of 10, 19 and 27 during the months of January, February and March, respectively.

"We are pleased to have reached another significant milestone in exceeding 160 Somnoplasty Systems installed," said Stuart Edwards, president and CEO of Somnus. "We continue to expand our North American sales force and eagerly anticipate the launch of our second-generation RF Generator, the S2, next week at the Combined Otolaryngological Spring Meeting (COSM). We expect this meeting to be an important showcase for both the S2 generator and our company."

About the Somnoplasty System and Its Applications

Somnus' proprietary Somnoplasty System is designed to use RF energy to provide a minimally invasive and relatively painless treatment of upper airway obstructions. The System includes an automated RF generator with temperature monitoring capabilities and a suite of proprietary single-use, disposable surgical handpieces that deliver controlled thermal energy into targeted areas to reduce tissue volume and stiffen soft tissue.

The Somnoplasty procedure for treating the uvula and soft palate and the Somnoplasty procedure for treating enlarged inferior turbinates create finely controlled coagulative lesions at precise locations underneath the mucosal layer of tissue in the upper airway. An insulating sleeve at the base of the needle electrode protects the mucosa from thermal damage, thereby minimizing post-operative discomfort. The lesions created by the procedure are naturally resorbed in approximately three to eight weeks, reducing excess tissue volume. Somnus is developing additional devices and methods to treat a range of upper airway obstructions.

About Somnus

Incorporated in 1996, with headquarters in Sunnyvale, Calif., Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc., designs, develops, manufactures and markets minimally invasive devices to treat a range of obstructions that can block a patient's upper airway. In July 1997, Somnus received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market its Somnoplasty System as an aid in the treatment of habitual snoring. In December 1997, Somnus received 510(k) clearance for the Somnoplasty System as a treatment for enlarged inferior turbinates. The Somnoplasty System is currently undergoing clinical evaluation at several U.S. and European medical institutions to expand claims to include the reduction or elimination of other upper airway obstructions. In June 1997, Somnus received ISO 9001 certification for its quality systems, as well as authorization to place the CE Mark on the Somnoplasty System. Under an agreement between Somnus and Medtronic, Inc., Medtronic distributes the Somnoplasty System in Europe and selected Pacific Rim countries. Somnus can be reached on the World Wide Web at http://www.somnus.com/.> This news release may contain forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations. The company historically has announced domestic generator shipments on a monthly basis. There can be no assurance that the number of generators shipped will not fluctuate from month to month. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, external factors, uncertainties and other risks that are detailed in Somnus' SEC reports, including its Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 1998 and its Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1997. Actual results could differ materially from these forward-looking statements.

Somnus, Somnoplasty and the Somnus Medical Technologies logo are trademarks or servicemarks of Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.

CONTACT: Somnus Medical Technologies, Inc.

Robert E. McNamara, 408/773-9121 (Executive VP & CFO)

http://www.somnus.com/