Medtronic Inc.

Medtronic Inc. announced the launch of the automatic version of the Medtronic CareLink Network with Conexus Wireless Telemetry in Canada. The Medtronic CareLink Network with wireless telemetry can be programmed to automatically transmit patient and device data on potentially deadly disease progression from an implanted heart device directly to physicians. This has the potential to improve care for thousands of patients with heart failure or arrhythmias by allowing prompt monitoring and management of disease progression, which may help prevent sudden cardiac death. Compatible devices include cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillators for patients with heart failure and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators for patients with arrhythmias. The Medtronic CareLink Network is also the first and currently the only approved system to allow remote monitoring and alerting of fluid buildup in the thoracic cavity (a precursor of heart failure) via a proprietary feature called OptiVol Fluid Status Monitoring, potentially preventing heart failure hospitalizations.