Covidien Launches First-In-Class, Questra-Based Valleylab™ Exchange Software Update System

Covidien Ltd. (NYSE: COV, BSX: COV), a world leader in advanced energy-based surgical systems, and Questra Corporation, the leader in Intelligent Device Management (IDM), today announced the global launch of the Valleylab™ Exchange Software Update System.

The first remote update system in the electrosurgical market today, the Valleylab™ Exchange Software Update System is a convenient, cost-effective method for hospitals to remotely update the software on the ForceTriad™ energy platform. Hospitals can extend the capabilities of the energy platform and add support for new surgical instruments with this system, which updates software through secure electronic communications via RS-232 ports. They may also conduct updates over the Internet at their facility — without needing to send the surgical unit to a center or depot.

“With the launch of the Valleylab™ Exchange Software Update System, Covidien is the first manufacturer of advanced RF energy-based surgical systems to provide customers with secure, remote software updating and device extensibility,” said Cameron Rouns, vice president of product marketing in Covidien’s Energy-based Devices Global Business Unit (GBU).

By streamlining software delivery, hospitals benefit from increased device availability and a noticeable reduction in depot-based software delivery costs. Previously, with Valleylab™ products in more than 200 countries, the process of updating the software on a surgical system using depot-based service was more time-consuming and expensive. With the Valleylab™ Exchange Software Update System, the organization can expedite the delivery of new features and capabilities and ensure that hospitals can maximize future investments in the ForceTriad™ energy platform.

“Software management plays an increasingly large role in the market success of innovative medical device manufacturers such as Covidien,” said Walt Rossi, vice president of marketing at Questra. “The Questra IDM Application Suite includes Questra SoftwareDirector™, which enables manufacturers to deliver new software-based device functionality to customers as soon as it is available. Without it, industry-leading systems like the Valleylab™ Exchange Software Update System for the ForceTriad™ energy platform wouldn’t be possible. Software management is the competitive advantage every device manufacturer, regardless of industry, must have today.”

About Covidien
Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of industry-leading product lines, including Surgical Devices, Energy-based Devices, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Patient Care and Safety Products, Imaging Solutions, Pharmaceutical Products, Medical Supplies and Retail Products. With 2006 revenue of nearly $10 billion, Covidien has more than 43,000 employees worldwide in 57 countries, and its products are sold in over 130 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

About Questra Corporation
Questra is leading the development and marketing of IDM solutions. Equipment manufacturers use the Questra IDM Application Suite, which proactively monitors and manages remote intelligent devices, to provide superior yet cost-effective support to their customers. Agfa Graphics, General Electric, Scientific Applications International Corporation (SAIC), and Waters, among other Fortune 1000 companies, have chosen Questra software as part of their corporate strategies to advance from reactive to proactive equipment service and support. For more information, visit www.questra.com.



Covidien, Valleylab, Valleylab Exchange Software Update System, ForceTriad energy platform are trademarks of Covidien AG in the United States and worldwide. All rights reserved.

Questra, the Questra logo, Questra IDM Application Suite, Questra SoftwareDirector, and Questra TotalSuccess are trademarks of Questra Corporation in the United States and worldwide. All rights reserved.