Rivulet Partners with Stryker to Provide Medical-Grade Video over Hospital IP Networks

Business Wire, July 24, 2007

Combined video networking solution delivers the ubiquity, flexibility, and open advantages of IP networks to Integrated Operating Rooms, resulting in improved patient care.

PORTSMOUTH, N.H. & FLOWER MOUND, Texas -- Rivulet Communications has entered into an agreement with Stryker's Communications division to resell Rivulet's internet protocol (IP) video networking products. The reseller agreement enables Stryker to make medical-grade video available on-demand to doctors throughout medical center campuses. Until now Stryker has utilized baseband networks, which run parallel to the hospital network, to maximize image resolution. In the past, IP networks have offered ubiquity and flexibility, but not medical-grade video quality--especially when the network is congested. Rivulet's networking technology is the first to guarantee baseband-quality video over hospitals' existing IP networks. The result is affordable, widely available, medical-grade video communications and records for healthcare providers.

The increase of video-based endoscopic surgery techniques and the need for more caregiver access to patient information are driving rapid inclusion of video into the standard of care. Hospitals use video during procedures as well as for interactive meetings such as consultations and grand rounds. Surgical teams can demonstrate new procedures in real-time to a room full of specialists or medical students. Video can further improve surgical techniques by allowing doctors to review cases stored in an on-line video library using the PCs in their offices.

The surge in medical center renovation has resulted in more than 22% annual growth in integrated OR deployment. This increase in construction, coupled with increasing use of video in surgical procedures and teaching, has created substantial demand for campus-area and wide-area video networks.

"Stryker introduced integrated, video-enabled operating room suites to the market in 1992. We are pleased to join Stryker in taking integrated ORs to the next level," said Steven Rogers, CEO and Founder of Rivulet Communications. He added "Stryker understands the doctors' need to have video communications and records available on-demand throughout the hospital campus, and recognizes that only medical-grade video will be acceptable to them."

"Doctors are relying more and more on real-time communication during surgical procedures, as well as during grand rounds and in teaching applications," said Kevin Unger, Vice President and General Manager of Stryker Communications. "Rivulet's internet protocol (IP) video networking products let us deliver uncompromised video throughout the medical facility, including our existing installed base, while taking advantage of the hospital's existing IP network."

Stryker will resell Rivulet's entire video product line, including endpoint systems, network management, and video storage platforms.

About Stryker

Stryker Corporation is one of the world's leading medical technology companies with the most broadly based range of products in orthopaedics and a significant presence in other medical specialties. Stryker works with respected medical professionals to help people lead more active and more satisfying lives. The Company's products include implants used in joint replacement, trauma, craniomaxillofacial and spinal surgeries; biologics; surgical, neurologic, ear, nose & throat and interventional pain equipment; and endoscopic, surgical navigation, communications and digital imaging systems; as well as patient handling and emergency medical equipment. For more information about Stryker, please visit the company web site at http://www.stryker.com.

About Stryker Communications

The Stryker Communications division of Stryker Corporation creates systems that connect surgeons and other medical professionals with the information they need. Stryker Communications products link operating rooms with facilities around the world, and include a range of integrated surgical equipment, lights, and booms. These systems exchange MRIs, X-rays, live pictures, and other kinds of information between operating rooms, doctors' offices, and teaching institutions everywhere. Stryker is making worldwide access to real-time telemedicine a reality. www.stryker.com/communications/

About Rivulet Communications

Rivulet products enable multiple, simultaneous, real-time data flows over existing IP networks. Enterprises, government agencies and service providers can deliver real-time services with zero packet loss, bounded low jitter and higher network utilization -- using standard routers and switches. Applications include medical video, wireless backhaul and private line services, broadcast video, VoIP, and video surveillance. www.rivulet.com