Medtronic Announces FDA Clearance of New OneTouch? UltralinkÙ Blood Glucose Meter

Medtronic Announces FDA Clearance of New OneTouch? UltralinkÙ Blood Glucose Meter

Medtronic and LifeScan to Co-Market Integrated Diabetes Management System with Wireless Blood Glucose Data Transmission

MINNEAPOLIS Ò April, 28 2008 Ò Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT) today announced that the FDA has cleared the OneTouch? UltraLinkÙ Meter as the new wireless meter exclusively certified by Medtronic to wirelessly communicate with Medtronic diabetes management products in the United States. This new meter uses Medtronic-certified wireless technology to transmit glucose readings directly to MiniMed Paradigm? insulin pumps and the Guardian? REAL-Time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System. This makes bolus dosing more accurate and easier for patients compared to the manual entry of blood glucose readings.

The OneTouch? UltraLinkÙ Meter is the newest addition to the long-trusted OneTouch? Meter Family - the number one prescribed meter brand - and uses OneTouch? Ultra? Test Strips, the number-one selling test strip in the United States. Data transmitted from the OneTouch? UltraLinkÙ Meter can be viewed via MedtronicÌs proprietary CareLinkÙ Therapy Management Software, the only software that integrates meter, logbook, insulin pump and real-time continuous glucose monitoring information to help patients and physicians more easily assess and manage diabetes.

ÏAt Medtronic, we are committed to leading the technology revolution in diabetes management and delivering best-in-class solutions to patients,Ó said Chris OÌConnell, president of the Diabetes business at Medtronic. ÏTogether with LifeScan, we will continue to advance the opportunities for people with diabetes to proactively and conveniently manage their diabetes while maximizing their quality of life.Ó

Medtronic is actively working to provide the OneTouch? UltraLinkÙ Meter to all of its customers as soon as possible, and is taking a staged product launch approach. All new U.S. customers who order a MiniMed Paradigm? REAL-Time System or Guardian? REAL-Time System will receive the OneTouch? UltraLinkÙ Meter at no charge. The company will immediately start shipping the new meters at no charge to eligible U.S. customers, and plans to complete this process later this year.

Medtronic currently markets the MiniMed Paradigm? REAL-Time Insulin Pump and Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Ò the worldÌs only insulin pump with REAL-Time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM). The MiniMed Paradigm REAL-Time System has all of the benefits of CGM plus the added value of precise insulin delivery through the use of insulin pump therapy.

About The Diabetes Business at Medtronic
The Diabetes business at Medtronic (www.medtronicdiabetes.com) is the world leader in advanced diabetes management solutions, including integrated diabetes management systems, insulin pump therapy, continuous glucose monitoring systems and therapy management software.

About Medtronic
Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology, alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.