Smart Disc Receives U.S. Patent Office Notice of Allowance for Artificial Spinal Disc Technology

Business Wire, July 9, 2008

ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Smart Disc, Inc., a Michigan-based medical technology company focused on the development of new and innovative spine products, announced today that it has received a Notice of Allowance from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for U.S. patent application number 10/838,515, its unique artificial spinal disc technology.

Smart Disc's spinal replacement disc for the spine mimics the functionality of the patient's own intervertebral disc and can be put into place by the surgeon via a posterior application (thereby avoiding the need to go through the front of the patient, as is the current standard practice in disc replacement). The prosthesis is intended to maintain the normal movement between the vertebral bodies and prevent them from collapsing and thereby irritating or damaging the nerve root by maintaining the disc space height between the bones.

"We are very pleased to receive this Notice of Allowance," said M. Ross Simmonds, who sits on Smart Disc's Board of Directors. "The allowed patent claims, when issued, will enable Smart Disc to take the next step toward bringing the surgical community a viable new alternative."

"It's gratifying that the United States Patent and Trademark Office has recognized the novel innovations that we have developed," added Terry Fiscus, Smart Disc's Chief Financial Officer. "This milestone is a major step for us not only because it protects our intellectual property, but because it also moves us in the direction of becoming a significant innovator of devices to help improve outcomes of surgical procedures."

Smart Disc, Inc. is a Michigan-based medical technology company focused on the development of new and innovative spine products, primarily replacement discs for the spine which can be put into place by the surgeon via a posterior application. For more information, please visit www.smartdsc.com