Kips Bay Medical Announces the First Austrian Implant of the eSVS Mesh

MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Manny Villafaña, Chairman and CEO of Kips Bay Medical Inc. (Nasdaq:KIPS), announced that on January 14, 2014, the first commercial implant of the Company's eSVS^® Mesh in Austria was performed at the Medical University of Vienna in Vienna, Austria. This implant was performed under the direction of Professor Dr. Günther Laufer. The presiding surgeon in the case, Professor Dr. Sigrid Sandner, commented that the eSVS Mesh was easily deployed with no complications. 

Mr. Villafaña added, "We are excited to have the Medical University of Vienna join the growing number of international institutions that recognize the potential value of eSVS technology for their patients. We look forward to seeing CABG patients benefit from external vein support throughout Austria."

About the eSVS Mesh

The eSVS Mesh is designed to be fitted like a sleeve on the outside of saphenous vein grafts to strengthen SVGs used in coronary artery bypass graft surgery. By strengthening the SVG and preventing the damaging expansion of the vein graft, the Company hopes to reduce or prevent the resulting injury which can lead to SVG failure and potentially costly and complicated re-interventions for patients undergoing CABG surgery. To strengthen an SVG, the eSVS Mesh is manufactured from nitinol wire which gives the eSVS Mesh considerable strength, while remaining highly flexible and kink-resistant. Additional information about the eSVS Mesh and the Company's feasibility trial are available at the Company's website at www.KipsBayMedical.com and in the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Medical University of Vienna

The Medical University of Vienna (MedUni Vienna) is one of Europe's medical training and research facilities with the greatest history and tradition. Counting almost 7,500 students, it is the largest medical training facility in the German-speaking region. With its 29 university departments, 12 medical-theoretical centres and numerous highly specialised laboratories, it also ranks amongst the most significant cutting-edge research institutions in Europe in the biomedical sector. Over 48,000 square metres of space have been dedicated to clinical research at the facility.

About Kips Bay Medical

Kips Bay Medical, Inc. is a medical device company focused on manufacturing and commercializing its external saphenous vein support technology, the eSVS Mesh, for use in coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. Kips Bay originally acquired the eSVS Mesh technology from Medtronic, Inc. in 2007. Additional information about Kips Bay is available at the Company's website at www.KipsBayMedical.com.