World leader in fluoropolymer extrusions will provide rare inside look at advanced polymer extrusions and their role in minimally invasive medical devices.

ORANGEBURG, S.C., MAY 1, 2006 - For designers of medical devices and those with an eye to the future, June’s MD&M East 2006 Exposition will provide a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the critical role advanced polymer extrusions play in minimally invasive medical devices. For the first time in the Exposition’s history, Zeus, Inc., the world leader in the design and manufacture of advanced polymer extrusions, will conduct a day-long conference. Delivered by a panel of renowned technical experts, Zeus will focus the conference on exploring present and future use of polymers in medical devices. The emphasis will be on catheters, covered stents, coronary and peripheral vascular delivery systems, bioabsorbable/biodegradable polymers as well as future biomaterial developments.

The conference, titled Emerging Designs in Polymer Selection for Medical Devices, will be held Tuesday, June 6, at the MD&M East 2006 Exposition, Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. Robert Ballard, Zeus’ Corporate Director of Research, Advanced Materials and Strategic Business Development, will lead the conference. Professionals with a comprehensive background in materials science, pharmacology, biomedical/biochemical engineering and endovascular therapy will guide attendees on a cutting-edge biomaterials journey.

"Zeus, instrumental in pioneering the use of fluoropolymer tubing in catheters, is well known for its collaborative approach to research and development in the medical device industry and its commitment to helping customers stay at the forefront”, says Robert Jennings, Zeus’ Vice President of Medical Sales and Marketing.

Robert Ballard states, “The conference is targeted to unlock the creative minds of designers, engineers, principle investigators and clinicians needing to breakthrough the roadblocks they face with current polymer selections. We want to instill a new vision of possibilities that will be available in the future through macro-manipulation and the solutions that designer polymers bring to minimally invasive device development”.

Zeus will also be exhibiting its full line of fluoropolymer tubing, including its new product line, PEEKshrink™ heat-shrinkable PEEK tubing, in Hall 3B at Booth #1329 at MD&M East.

Those interested in attending the Zeus conference at the MD&M East 2006 Exposition are encouraged to view the conference outline at http://www.devicelink.com/expo/east06/conference_101.html and http://www.devicelink.com/expo/east06/conference_106.html.

Registration for the conference can be accessed at https://www3.compusystems.com/servlet/AttendeeRegLoginServlet?evt_uid=266&Show=MDM.

An outline of the conference follows the end of the release below. Additional information can be found on the Zeus website at http://www.zeusinc.com/MDM_East_Conference.asp.

About Zeus, Inc.
Headquartered in Orangeburg, S.C. USA, Zeus, Inc., is a world leader in the design and production of high-performance polymer tubing used in demanding applications. Zeus products and services are preferred by companies in medical, automotive, electrical, fluid handling and mechanical markets. The company is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. For more information, visit www.zeusinc.com.

Conference Title:
Emerging Designs in Polymer Selection for Medical Devices

Topics Presented:

• Utilizing Six Sigma in Research and Design – Robert Jennings
• Advances in Biomaterials and Polymer-Drug Interactions – Dr. William Gleason and Dr. Stephen Davis
• Polymer Tubing and Extrusions in Medical Devices – Dr. Bart Dolmatch and Robert Jennings
• Polymeric Design for Vascular Stent and Graft Devices– Dr. Allan Guymon
• Polymer Characterization – Dr. Stephen Davis
• Future Directions: Polymers in Medical Devices – Robert Ballard

Speakers:

• Robert L. Ballard, Chair of Conference, Zeus, Inc. Corporate Director of Research, Advanced Materials and Strategic Business Development
• Stephen Davis, PhD Staff Scientist, Advanced Materials Group, Zeus, Inc.
• Bart L. Dolmatch, MD Professor, Department of Radiology Director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas
• William B. Gleason, PhD Associate Professor, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology Fellow, University of Minnesota Supercomputer Institute Graduate Faculty: Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Biomedical Engineering University of Minnesota
• Allan Guymon, PhD Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering University of Iowa
• Robert Jennings Vice President of Medical Sales and Marketing, Zeus, Inc.