Spencer, IN – August 15, 2006 – Cook Urological, a division of Cook, the world’s largest private medical device company, today announced the availability of the Flexor® DL (Dual Lumen) Ureteral Access Sheath and the BiWire Nitinol Core Wire Guide to advance the treatment of urological diseases. Both innovative devices provide urologists and medical professionals with improved options for ureteral access during routine and complex procedures. The BiWire and Flexor DL represent the next generation of technology in ureteral access devices to help physicians render patients free from existing and future kidney stones.

Flexor DL
The Flexor DL Ureteral Access Sheath is made with the same superior technology as Cook Urological’s popular single-lumen Flexor Access Sheath, but with the addition of a second working channel. The primary, larger lumen protects and provides access for the endoscope. The secondary, smaller lumen affords a separate channel for additional devices such as laser fibers, stone retrieval baskets, or working wire guides. It also offers a channel for irrigation or contrast media.

The external surface and tips of the Flexor DL sheath are hydrophilic-coated to minimize friction and aid insertion. Both Flexor lumens are TFE-lined to facilitate smooth delivery and removal of additional devices. The access sheath also has an ergonomic handle and a unique locking mechanism built to secure the dilator to the sheath.

BiWire
With two options for ureteral access, the BiWire Nitinol Core Wire Guide simplifies complex procedures and provides physicians with two wire guides in a single device. The new design incorporates two usable tips–one straight and one angled. As a result, either end of the wire can navigate through tortuous ureters. The wire guide’s bonded hydrophilic coating also provides a highly lubricated surface for effortless advancement. The BiWire has a nitinol core that creates a highly maneuverable, flexible and kink-resistant guide for ureteral access. In addition, the dual-tipped wire reduces inventory space requirements and saves time by eliminating the need to retrieve and open different-tipped wires during procedures.

“Cook continues to be the innovation leader for a wide range of urological procedures. Today’s announcement is proof with the release of two devices that significantly advance ureteral access techniques,” said Jerry French, Senior Vice President and Global Strategic Business Unit Leader for Cook Urological. “These two devices were developed to continue to provide physicians with the newest technology to render their patients stone free.”

Cook will showcase the Flexor DL Ureteral Access Sheath and the BiWire Nitinol Core Wire Guide at the 24th World Congress of Endourology in Cleveland, Ohio from August 17-20, 2006.

About Cook
The world’s largest privately held manufacturer of medical devices with international headquarters in Bloomington, Ind., COOK® (www.cookmedical.com) is a leading designer, manufacturer and global distributor of minimally invasive medical device technology for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. Since its founding in 1963, Cook has created innovative technologies for ureteral and renal access, prostate management, ureteroscopy and kidney stone management. Cook products include catheters, wire guides, introducer needles and sheaths, embolization coils, medical biomaterials and other minimally invasive medical devices for urology and women’s health, radiology, cardiology, critical care medicine, surgery, gastroenterology, and endovascular therapies.