GYG Gyg Plc

RNS No 3074a
GYRUS GROUP PLC
29th January 1998


                   Gyrus Group PLC ("Gyrus")
 US Approval (FDA 510 (k)) for VAPR(TM) T Arthroscopy System Two
                   Months Ahead of Schedule
                               
                          SUMMARY
                               
Gyrus,   the  "PlasmaKinetic"  endosurgical  device   company,
announces  US approval to commence sales of its  new  VAPR(TM)  T
arthroscopic  system.  This product is to be  sold  under  its
marketing alliance with Ethicon Inc. ("Ethicon"),  a  division
of  Johnson  &  Johnson.  The VAPR(TM) T system  induces  thermo-
responsive  tissue modification which enables the re-modelling
of  joint  capsules  damaged by repeated injury  or  recurrent
dislocation.

The  VAPR(TM) T system has been approved for thermal modification
of  soft  tissue.   This technique is used to  re-model  joint
capsules  which  have  become overstretched  through  repeated
injury  or dislocation.  Recurrent dislocation of the shoulder
is  a  common  sports injury and shoulder arthroscopy  is  the
fastest  growing  segment  of the $162.5  million  arthroscopy
market  for  VAPR(TM) products.   As a relatively new  treatment,
the  range of three disposable VAPR(TM) T electrodes will attract
a  40%  premium  on  end-user pricing compared  to  the  VAPR(TM)
electrodes.

The  first  VAPR(TM) system was launched by  Gyrus  and  Ethicon
during  the second quarter of 1997.  The introduction  of  the
new  VAPR(TM) T product range, two months ahead of schedule, will
make  Gyruss  products the most comprehensive  radiofrequency
("RF")  energy system available for the arthroscopic  surgical
market.


Mark Goble, Chief Executive commented:

"This   meets  the  first  product  launch  milestone  planned
following  our  flotation  on the  London  Stock  Exchange  in
November 1997, we are delighted to achieve this milestone  two
months ahead of schedule.  I fully expect this excellent start
to  1998 will result in the company exceeding turnover targets
for the year ending 30 June 1998."

In  August 1996, the Group entered into a development, licence
and  supply  agreement with Ethicon, a division of  Johnson  &
Johnson,  under  which  its  Mitek.  affiliate  has  exclusive
worldwide  rights  to market, distribute and  sell  the  VAPR(TM)
system  in  the  orthopaedic  field.  Mitek.  specialises   in
surgical  devices  for the repair of soft tissue  injuries  of
joints in the arthroscopic and sports medicine markets.

Sales  of  VAPR(TM) commenced with shipments to Mitek.  in  April
1997  and  first end-user sales in July 1997 in the US.   Roll
out to international markets commenced in October 1997.

As  described  in the Groups prospectus, further developments
to expand the VAPR(TM) product range were planned for the current
financial year ending 30 June, 1998.  The first of these,  the
VAPR(TM)  T system has just received marketing clearance under  a
510(k) pre-market notification to the FDA.

The  VAPR(TM) T system has been approved for thermal modification
of  soft  tissue.   This technique is used to  re-model  joint
capsules  which  have  become overstretched  through  repeated
injury  or dislocation.  Recurrent dislocation of the shoulder
is  a  common  sports injury and shoulder arthroscopy  is  the
fastest  growing  segment  of the $162.5  million  arthroscopy
market  for  VAPR(TM) products.   As a relatively new  treatment,
the  range of three disposable VAPR(TM) T electrodes will attract
a  40%  premium  on  end-user pricing compared  to  the  VAPR(TM)
electrodes.

Studies performed in the US, have demonstrated that the thermo-
resistive  control features of the VAPR(TM) T system produce  the
rapid,   predictable  and  repeatable  elevation   of   tissue
temperature required to perform thermal modification  of  soft
tissues.

The  VAPR(TM) T system provides an additional measure of patient
safety  as  depth of thermal tissue modification is less  than
the  other competitive monopolar RF technology on the  market.
Unlike  the  Groups  technology, this  competitive  monopolar
device  is  not capable of effective removal or contouring  of
diseased or damaged tissue.

The  versatility of Gyruss PlasmaKinetic technology therefore
eliminates  the  need for multiple RF units in  the  operating
theatre.  The directors consider that the introduction of this
capability  will  make VAPR(TM) the most comprehensive  RF-energy
system available within the arthroscopic market.

The  Group  is  currently  developing additional  products  to
further  expand the VAPR(TM) product range as well as the Groups
other  product range currently on the market; the  VersaPoint(TM)
hysteroscopic system addressing the womens healthcare market.
An  additional version of the Groups PlasmaKinetic technology
for  urological surgery is planned for launch in Europe in Q2,
1998.

Notes to Editors:

Gyruss VAPR(TM)  arthroscopic system is based on radiofrequency
(RF) energy. Using PlasmaKinetic endosurgical technology it
induces thermo-resistive changes in the saline  which is used
to distend the operative site during minimal access surgery.
The capacity to adjust power in microseconds enables precise
control of two tissue effect modes.

In the first mode, an ionised plasma corona is created over
the active zone of a tissue treatment electrode.  Tissue
entering the intense kinetic energy of the corona is
instantaneously reduced to its constituent elements and simply
washed away.  The low thermal mass of the plasma prevents
collateral tissue damage adjacent to the application site.
In the second mode, as used by VAPR(TM) T,  rapid predictable
and controlled elevations in tissue temperature can be
produced to modify soft tissue structures or seal blood
vessels.

Contacts:

Gyrus Group PLC                      01222 300 100
Mark Goble

Buchanan Communications              0171 466 5000
Zena Bates/Tim Anderson

Panmure Gordon                       0171 638 4010
Ronald Openshaw


END

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