ABBOTT PARK, Illinois, May 16 /PRNewswire/ --

- New Device Designed to Provide Fast, Safe and Secure Vessel Closure Following Catheterization Procedures

Abbott today announced the launch of the StarClose(R) SE Vascular Closure System, a next-generation vessel closure device engineered to enable fast, safe and secure closure of the femoral artery access site following a catheterization procedure. StarClose SE is available in the United States and Europe.

StarClose SE, which stands for "Safe and Extravascular," builds upon the premium design of its predecessor, StarClose, with more ergonomically-friendly design features. StarClose SE advancements include:

-- Improved ease of use, with an intuitive, numbered system, providing visual guidance and audible "clicks" for each step leading to clip deployment -- Immediate vessel closure with deployment of a shape-memory clip onto the surface of an artery, allowing patients to recover and be discharged sooner than with manual compression -- Added device stability for the operator during clip deployment

"With a more ergonomic stabilizer and simpler, numbered-step deployment, StarClose SE offers users the ability to close an artery in a fast, safe and effective manner following a catheterization procedure," said David Lee, M.D., assistant professor of Medicine and director of Cardiac Catheterization and Coronary Intervention Laboratories at the Stanford School of Medicine. "With its definitive mechanical closure, StarClose SE enables an operator to confirm a reliable closure immediately, which offers important benefits for physicians and patients in reducing patient time to mobility following these procedures."

StarClose SE utilizes the same nitinol (nickel and titanium) clip technology as StarClose to close the femoral artery access site after a catheterization procedure. When deployed, the small nitinol clip grasps the tissue on top of the artery around the access site in a purse-string fashion and closes the opening in the femoral artery rapidly and securely with minimal affect to the lumen diameter or the blood flow inside the vessel.

"We are pleased to introduce StarClose SE to advance the secure closure of the vascular access site following catheterization procedures," said Charles Simonton, M.D., FACC, FSCAI, divisional vice president, Medical Affairs and chief medical officer, Abbott Vascular. "StarClose SE was carefully designed to preserve the safety, reliability and extravascular closure of our first-generation technology, while providing enhanced ease of use for physicians."

For important safety information about StarClose SE, as well as additional information about this product, please refer to Abbott's Web site.

About Catheterization

Catheterization is a procedure commonly used to evaluate or treat certain types of disease in vessels of the heart and other parts of the body. The procedure involves the insertion of a flexible tube, called a catheter, into the femoral artery in the leg. The physician will use the catheter to observe the condition of the coronary or peripheral blood vessels or to treat blockages in the vessels. Following the procedure, the physician will remove the catheter and close the femoral artery access site.

Over the years, a variety of methods, such as direct pressure (manual compression), sandbags and mechanical clamps, have been used to close the puncture site and achieve hemostasis (cessation of bleeding). Many of these methods have proved less than satisfactory, causing patients significant discomfort and requiring up to several hours of bedrest.

About Abbott Vascular

Abbott Vascular, a division of Abbott, is one of the world's leading vascular care businesses. Abbott Vascular is uniquely focused on advancing the treatment of vascular disease and improving patient care by combining the latest medical device innovations with world-class pharmaceuticals, investing in research and development, and advancing medicine through training and education. Headquartered in Northern California, Abbott Vascular offers a comprehensive portfolio of vessel closure, endovascular and coronary products that are recognized internationally for their safety and effectiveness in treating patients with vascular disease.

About Abbott

Abbott is a global, broad-based health care company devoted to the discovery, development, manufacture and marketing of pharmaceuticals and medical products, including nutritionals, devices and diagnostics. The company employs more than 68,000 people and markets its products in more than 130 countries.

Abbott's news releases and other information are available on the company's Web site at http://www.abbott.com.

Web site: http://www.abbott.com

Media, Karin Bauer, +1-650-868-2999, or Financial, Tina Ventura, +1-847-935-9390, both of Abbott