SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., March 22, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, announced today that a landmark study by Dr. Jeffrey Ho and several physicians from the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN has been peer reviewed and published in the journal of the Society of Academic Emergency Medicine. This study is the most extensive published sampling of human subjects to undergo cardiovascular and physiologic evaluation on the effects of a standard five-second exposure to the TASER(r) X26 electronic control device.
In this study, 66 resting human subjects underwent 24-hour monitoring after a standard TASER X26 application. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after exposure and again at 16 and 24 hours after exposure. A subpopulation of 32 individuals had a 12-lead electrocardiography performed at similar time intervals. Blood samples were analyzed for markers of skeletal and cardiac muscle injury and renal impairment. A variety of blood samples were analyzed to determine if variations in troponin, myoglobin, lactate, potassium, glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and creatine kinase existed. The electrocardiograms were read by a cardiologist blinded to the study.
In the study population, it was found that the TASER X26 electronic control device did not affect the recordable cardiac electrical activity within a 24-hour period following a standard five-second application. Furthermore, the authors were unable to detect any induced electrical dysrhythmias or significant direct cardiac cellular damage which could be related to sudden and unexpected death proximal to electronic control device exposure. Additionally, no evidence of dangerous hyperkalemia or induced acidosis was found. The authors did recommend further study in the general area of the in-custody death phenomenon to better understand its causes.
"We applaud Dr. Ho and his team of physicians for this landmark human study into the medical safety of our life-saving TASER systems," said Rick Smith, CEO of TASER International. "This study of human volunteers as it relates to cardiovascular and physiologic effects surrounding TASER technology lays the groundwork for further, planned human studies. We continue to encourage studies of this type and believe that the foundation of data reported by Dr. Ho and his team will further debunk the myth of delayed cardiac issues."
The abstract can be viewed at: http://www.aemj.org/cgi/content/abstract/j.aem.2006.01.017v1
This study further enhances a recent independent study by Dr. Saul D. Levine at the University of San Diego in which 20 subjects exposed to TASER systems were monitored by continuous 3-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring immediately before, during, and after firing of the TASER X26. This study published in May 2005 by the Academic Emergency Medicine Journal. (see Note).
About the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine sponsor of the AEM Journal
The Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM) is dedicated to the improvement of care of the acutely ill and injured patient by improving research and education. To achieve this mission, SAEM influences health policy through forums, publications, inter-organizational collaboration, policy development, and consultation services for physicians, teachers, researchers, and students. SAEM represents excellence and leadership in academic emergency medicine and its values include idealism and quality in all endeavors, nurturing and camaraderie and diversity among members, as well as creative and symbiotic interactions with other organizations. Information on SAEM can be viewed at www.saem.org.
SAEM is the sponsor of the monthly, peer-reviewed journal, Academic Emergency Medicine (AEM). AEM publishes information relevant to the practice, educational advancements, and investigation of emergency medicine. The mission of the journal is to promote the advancement of emergency medicine research, education, and clinical practice. The research of SAEM members contributes significantly to the scientific content and development of the journal. AEM is governed by an Editorial Board led by Editor-in-Chief, Michelle H. Biros, MD. The electronic version of AEM can be found at www.aemj.org.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International provides advanced electronic control devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER(r) devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. The forward-looking information is based upon current information and expectations regarding TASER International. These estimates and statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results could materially differ from what is expressed, implied, or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.
TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. TASER International's future results may be impacted by risks associated with rapid technological change, new product introductions, new technological developments and implementations, execution issues associated with new technology, ramping manufacturing production to meet demand, litigation results from Company filed lawsuits and other litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product-related injuries, media publicity concerning allegations of deaths occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative impact this could have on sales, product quality, implementation of manufacturing automation, potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results, adjustments to these amounts which may be reflected in our 10Q filing, competition, financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers, international order delays, dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers, negative reports concerning TASER device uses, governmental inquiries and investigations, medical and safety studies, fluctuations in component pricing, government regulations, variation among law enforcement agencies with their TASER product experience, TASER device tests and reports, dependence upon key employees, and our ability to retain employees. TASER International's future results may also be impacted by other risk factors listed from time to time in its SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company's Form 10-QSBs and its Annual Report on Form 10-KSB.
The statements made herein are independent statements of TASER International. The inclusion of any third parties does not represent an endorsement of any TASER International products or services by any such third parties.
For further information contact Steve Tuttle, Vice President of Communications. Visit the company's web-site at www.TASER.com for facts and video.
Note: Levine SD, Sloane C, Chan T, Vilke G, Dunford J. Cardiac monitoring of subjects exposed to the TASER (abstract). Acad Emerg Med. 2005; 12(Suppl 1):71.