Arrow International, Inc., Introduces Arrow Simplicity Micro-Puncture Introducer Set

Business Wire, April 4, 2005

READING, Pa. -- Catheterization made simpler with innovative use of color-coded guidewire bands and catheter packaging.

E[acute accent]Arrow International, Inc., the leading global provider of central venous catheter (CVC) products, today introduced the Arrow Simplicity(TM) Micro-Puncture Introducer Set, a new dialysis access product to be used in combination with Arrow's chronic hemodialysis catheters. E[acute accent]Micropuncture is a common technique used to gain safe and easy access to the patient's vasculature, as well as to determine the appropriate length catheter for the patient prior to catheterization. The Arrow Simplicity was designed to simplify this technique by adding more functionality into the guidewire. The innovative Arrow Simplicity utilizes a unique color-coded guidewire that facilitates optimal catheter tip and exit site position, and defines necessary catheter length prior to catheter insertion. E[acute accent]"Using the Arrow Simplicity, physicians can now determine the required chronic hemodialysis catheter length in three easy steps and with minimal bias," said Jeffrey Vitullo, Senior R&D Manager, Arrow Dialysis Access Products. "This simplifies optimal positioning of the cuff, exit site and tip, and can reduce kinking, thus minimizing the most common positioning problems that compromise flow and dialysis outcomes. The Arrow Simplicity system is a win-win for both the chronic hemodialysis patient and the medical professional." E[acute accent]The Arrow Simplicity guidewire is designed to be used with Arrow's Cannon(TM) chronic hemodialysis catheter. The four colored bands on the Arrow Simplicity guidewire correspond to color-coded packaging on the Cannon catheter. After insertion, simply match the color band on the Arrow Simplicity guidewire at the exit site with the Cannon catheter kit coded with the same color. The tip-first, retrograde-tunneled design of the Cannon provides fast, exact tip placement with superior flow, clearances and patency that lead to superior dialysis outcomes. E[acute accent]"The design of Arrow's Cannon catheter makes it the quintessential dialysis catheter," said James G. Caridi, M.D., Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Associate Professor, University of Florida. "Its retrograde tunneling and ability to weave combines quick, accurate, safe and secure placement with durability and consistently high flows." E[acute accent]According to Vitullo, Arrow's Cannon and Simplicity represent a total system approach for catheterization that leads to improved patient outcomes by allowing the physician to obtain faster, more accurate catheter selection and catheter positioning.

E[acute accent]About Arrow

E[acute accent]Arrow International, Inc., develops, manufactures and markets a broad selection of clinically advanced, disposable catheters and related products for critical and cardiac care. The company's products are used primarily by anesthesiologists, critical care specialists, interventional radiologists, surgeons, emergency and trauma physicians, cardiologists, electrophysiologists and other healthcare providers. The company's common stock trades on The NASDAQ Stock Market(R) under the symbol ARRO. For more information, visit www.arrowintl.com.