Teleflex Acquires Lung Isolation Technology

The following release comes courtesy of BusinessWire:

LIMERICK, Pa. - (NYSE:TFX), a leading global provider of medical devices for critical care and surgery, announced it has acquired the EZ-Blocker^TM disposable catheter product line with a unique bifurcated distal end, a novel and patented bronchial blocker for lung isolation and one-lung ventilation. The acquisition is consistent with the company’s strategy to invest in late-stage, innovative technology to support its future growth.

The EZ-Blocker, a 7 Fr., 4 lumen, 75 cm, disposable catheter, is designed to enable easy, quick placement with minimal risk of dislocation during surgery, which supports patient safety and allows for simplified performance of bilateral procedures without the disadvantages of existing devices for lung isolation and one lung ventilation. Lung isolation is used to achieve one-lung ventilation to facilitate a variety of thoracic surgical procedures and treatment of conditions of the lungs, heart, chest wall and diaphragm. With the acquisition of EZ-Blocker, Teleflex strengthens its Anesthesia product portfolio.

EZ-Blocker has CE Mark approval in Europe and is indicated for a variety of thoracic and cardio-thoracic surgical procedures, as well as thoracic diseases. Teleflex expects to begin product shipments in Europe during the second quarter of 2012. In the United States, a 510(k) application has been submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is pending clearance.

“EZ-Blocker is designed to provide benefits that overcome the significant drawbacks of currently used products for the lung isolation procedure, namely its use in combination with a standard endotracheal tube and its easy and intuitive positioning over the carina,” said Cary Vance, President, Teleflex Anesthesia and Respiratory.

Added Vance, “We believe EZ-Blocker is the most innovative bronchial blocker available and has the potential to improve patient outcomes during difficult procedures. It is also designed to be used with VATS (Video Assisted Thoracic Surgery), a minimally invasive surgical method that allows thoracic surgeons to perform a procedure through small openings.”

The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

About Teleflex Incorporated
Teleflex is a leading global provider of specialty medical devices for a range of procedures in critical care and surgery. Our mission is to provide solutions that enable healthcare providers to improve outcomes and enhance patient and provider safety. Headquartered in Limerick, PA, Teleflex employs approximately 11,500 people worldwide and serves healthcare providers in more than 130 countries. For additional information about Teleflex please refer to http://www.teleflex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.