Grass Valley, California - March 31, 2003 - Special Devices Incorporated's SD-Allen Bone Biopsy Set used for decompression in treatment of avascular necrosis..

Grass Valley, California-April 30, 2002 - Special Devices Incorporated's SD-ALLEN Bone Biopsy Set Selected as Finalist for 2002 Most Innovative New Products (MIP) Award.

Jan 5, 2000 - SDI Trans-Osseous Fastener, used to hold split fractures...

for immediate release...

SD-Allen Bone Biopsy Set used for decompression in treatment of avascular necrosis.

Dr. Robert S. Namba recently used the Special Devices Bone Biopsy System for removing a core of bone from the proximal femur, for treatment of Ficat stage ll osteonecrosis. A 6.5mm trephine was directed lateral to medial, along the centerline of the femur neck into the head of the femur, to within 5mm of the epiphysis. At this point, the trephine was reversed and withdrawn slowly. A bone core specimen was inside the trephine. This bone core was extracted into a specimen beaker. The core was intact and clean. It was approximately 4cm long.

The time to advance the trephine and retrieve the core was less than 5 minutes. Dr. Namba noted that the specimen was the cleanest and most intact that he had ever obtained.

All instrumentation for the procedure was included in the SD-Allen Bone Biopsy Set. Trephines (coring cutters) are provided in five diameters, 3, 5, 6.5, 8 and 15mm. The 15mm diameter is provided as a special. Specimen tubes are standard in 5, 6.5 and 8mm. Core specimens up to 4cm may be retrieved as single, intact pieces.

For further information, please contact Robert S. Namba, MD at 714/427-7907 or Joseph J. Spranza, Chief Scientist, Special Devices Inc. 530/273-6763.

for immediate release:

The SD-ALLEN Bone Biopsy Set has been honored by the UC Davis CONNECT program as a finalist in the biotechnology, life-science and medical-device category for the 2002 Most Innovative New Products (MIP) Award.

Used to percutaneously obtain intact bone specimens in lengths up to 100mm, the SD-ALLEN Bone Biopsy Set is used in bone biopsy, bone decompression in cases of AVN, bone graft harvesting, hardware removal and to deploy antennae for radio frequency ablation of tumors.

"The SD-ALLEN Bone Biopsy Set has been used in leading medical institutions across the United States since its introduction to the market last year. We are proud and excited to now be recognized as a finalist for the UC Davis CONNECT Most Innovative Products Award," reports Joseph Spranza, CEO of Special Devices Inc.

The MIP Award is an annual competition that honors the vision, hard work and perseverance that transforms ideas into technology products. The criteria for award eligibility include technological innovation, viability and potential for commercial success.

Special Devices Inc. is a California-based, vertically integrated company that develops minimally invasive orthopedic surgical instrumentation with fracture management, oncology and surgical assistance applications.

For immediate release:

Since its introduction last year, the Special Devices Trans-Osseous Fastener (TOB) has been mainly used to hold split fractures of the tibial buttress. Recently, Dr. Donald R. Huene performed a surgery on a 65-year-old female who had a fractured knee. The trauma was sustained in August of 1998.There was a TypeC3 Y-fracture of the knee, with a comminuted fracture of the distal femur. The lateral condyle was loose.The patient suffered from osteoporosis.Stabilization was by 6mm cancellous screws.A Zimmer ™ Specialized Supracondylar blade plate was employed to further stabilize the fracture.

The surgery went well.After removing some fibrous tissue from site of the nonunion, a quantity of bone graft was inserted between the lateral condyle and the femur. The fragment was reduced and clamped.Two 6mm holes were drilled through the bone.Two TOB fasteners with washers on one end were inserted through the plate and holes and compressed enough to stabilize the bone.

One month out the patient is doing well.