Bloomington, Ind., February 17, 2009 – As part of the company's new approach to making its Critical Care division products available to Japanese hospitals through direct sales, Cook Japan today introduced a new manager for that division. Mr. Kazuma Kusunose has strong leadership and sales skills that Cook hope will strength the Critical Care division and bring the benefits of Cook's advanced medical technologies to many more Japanese patients.

“Cook's Critical Care products, which typically are used on some of the most seriously ill patients, represent some of the most advanced medical care technology available anywhere today. Cook Japan hopes Mr. Kusunose's extensive healthcare background will help Cook do an even better job of meeting the needs of Japanese patients and doctors by delivering product solutions that improve patient outcomes,” says Glenn Ostlund, Representative Director of Cook Japan.

“There are three principle goals for the Critical Care Business Unit in the Japanese market”, states Mr. Kusunose. “In the short term, we want to strengthen direct sales and in the medium to long term, raise awareness of Cook products and services to even greater levels. We also need to bring the most advanced new products and services into the market. Direct sales of Critical Care devices commenced in August 2008 with the intent to provide clients with outstanding service. We will step-up sales activities to increase awareness of key product lines. All Cook's advanced Critical Care products (Difficult Airway Management, Percutaneous Tracheostomy, Centesis and Drainage, Lung Isolation, Central Venous Catheters, and Enteral Nutrition) will be introduced to the Japanese market as quickly as Cook Japan can obtain regulatory approval. Looking ahead, we also hope to produce Japan conceived innovations that will directly benefit Japanese patients needing the most advanced medical treatment possible.”

For Cook Medical, Japan continues to be a major focus, with significant investments in personnel, product introductions and properties. From aortic and peripheral intervention devices, to endoscopic products for gastrointestinal diagnosis and treatment, urology, women's health, and critical care products, Cook Japan is dedicated to delivering the highest quality medical devices, as well as the industry's most comprehensive customer service, to Japanese physicians and their patients. With a decades-long presence in Japan, the company sees great potential in sales of its Critical Care product line, enabling Cook to further enhance recognition of its goods and services, build even greater trust among medical specialists, and introduce innovative new products and services into the Japanese market as quickly as possible.

About Cook Medical:
Cook Medical was one of the first companies to help popularize interventional medicine, pioneering many of the devices now commonly used worldwide to perform minimally invasive medical procedures. Today, the company integrates minimally invasive medical device design, biopharma, gene and cell therapy, and biotech to enhance patient safety and improve clinical outcomes in the fields of aortic intervention; interventional cardiology; critical care medicine; gastroenterology; radiology, peripheral vascular, bone access and oncology; surgery and soft tissue repair; urology; and assisted reproductive technology, gynecology and high-risk obstetrics. Founded in 1963 and operated as a family-held private corporation, Cook is a past winner of the prestigious Medical Device Manufacturer of the Year Award from Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine. For more information, visit www.cookmedical.com.