MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, January 26 /PRNewswire/ --

Concentric Medical, Inc., the global leader in devices for clot removal in ischemic stroke patients, today announced that the company's Merci Retrieval System(TM) has been used in over 10,000 patients since its launch in August 2004. The Merci Retrieval System is a catheter-based medical device that advanced stroke centers use to remove blood clots from patients suffering an ischemic stroke.

The Merci Retrieval System has been used by leading stroke institutions around the world. In commenting on this accomplishment, Dr. Marilyn Rymer, Medical Director at Saint Luke's Mid-America Brain and Stroke Institute in Kansas City, MO, said, This milestone marks a great achievement in the advancement of interventional stroke care both in the U.S. and around the world. At Saint Luke's Hospital in Kansas City, we have used the device in over 300 stroke victims, old and young, with very impressive results. Concentric Medical and the Merci Retrieval System have revolutionized the way we treat stroke.

Concentric Medical has brought to market three generations of Merci Retrievers(R), and worked very closely with the stroke care community in conducting two important clinical trials. Dr. Gary Duckwiler, Director of Interventional Neuroradiology at UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine, commented, It is incredible to think that in such a short time, with such a difficult and devastating disease, that 10,000 patients have been treated with Merci(R) devices. I remember the first case we did using the original Merci device, a success that told us we could make a significant difference in acute stroke care. Concentric Medical has dramatically altered the treatment landscape for acute stroke by making it possible for Stroke Centers to fulfill their promise of improving patient's lives. Concentric Medical should be congratulated on its tremendous accomplishments.

Over 780,000 strokes occur in the U.S. alone each year. Stroke is the third leading cause of death and a leading cause of adult disability in the U.S. Stronger coverage by neurointerventionalists, increased patient awareness and faster development of comprehensive stroke center capabilities are all key components to ensuring these patients have access to high quality stroke care, including the Merci Retrieval System.

A milestone like this is only possible with close collaboration between industry and clinicians. It marks the closing of an initial phase in the development of a new therapy while opening an even more important phase to drive broad global adoption. We are at the forefront of change in interventional stroke care, said Concentric Medical's President and Chief Executive Officer, Maria Sainz. Concentric Medical is committed to bringing forward advancements in stroke intervention through ongoing clinical study and product innovation to broaden the reach of this breakthrough technology to stroke patients.

About Concentric Medical

Concentric Medical is located in Mountain View, California, and was founded in August 1999. The company manufactures and markets the Merci Retrieval System(TM), which is a minimally invasive device that is delivered by a neurointerventionalist into the brain to restore blood flow by removing blood clots that cause ischemic stroke. The Merci Retrieval System is available in over 300 leading stroke centers around the world, and has been the subject of two successful clinical trials, MERCI and Multi MERCI. Concentric Medical estimates that over 10,000 patients have been treated with its devices. For more information about Concentric Medical, please visit www.concentric-medical.com.

Media Contact: Andrew Chmyz +1-650-938-2100 achmyz@concentric-medical.com

Andrew Chmyz of Concentric Medical, +1-650-938-2100, achmyz@concentric-medical.com