SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Feb. 7, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced personal protection devices announced today that a landmark study by Dr. Jeffrey Ho, a physician in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Hennepin County Medical Center (Minneapolis, MN) who led a group of physicians including Dr. Donald M. Dawes of Lompoc District Hospital (Lompoc, CA) and Dr. Laura L. Bultman of Northern California Kaiser Permanente (Sacramento, CA) and other researchers from around the country concluded that prolonged exposure to a conducted energy weapon "did not impair respiratory parameters in this population group of volunteers."
The peer reviewed study appeared Tuesday as an "Article in Press" on the web site of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine.
This study is the most extensive published sampling of human subjects to undergo breath-by-breath gas exchange measurement on the effects of a 15-second exposure to the TASER(r) X26 Electronic Control Device (ECD). An ECD is also referred to as a conducted energy weapon (CEW).
According to the study, the researchers "were to unable detect any respiratory impairment during either prolonged continuous or prolonged intermittent CEW exposure in this study population. It does not appear that prolonged CEW exposure causes a decreased tidal volume, hypercapnia, hypoxia, or apnea. We recommend further study in this area to validate our results."
"We applaud Dr. Ho and his team of researchers 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 respiratory effects surrounding TASER technology lays more 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 breathing impairment."
"We were particularly interested in the study confirming what early research and anecdotal experience had previously demonstrated finding no evidence of breathing impairment during the testing of TASER devices as it relates to the attempts of critics to link TASER technology with in-custody death events. It's encouraging to see this subject addressed in a highly respected peer reviewed medical journal as opposed to the news accounts using subjective speculation by critics and third parties without scientific basis," concluded Smith.
The study assessed the breathing capability of human subjects during extended exposures to a TASER ECD. It studied 52 resting human subjects who underwent breath-by-breath gas exchange monitoring after a 15-second discharge from a TASER X26. The subjects were randomized and placed on a pulmonary function measurement device and received either three five-second discharges with a one-second break between cycles or had a continuous discharge of 15 seconds applied. Common respiratory parameters were collected before, during and after the exposure. Health histories and demographic information were also collected on the volunteers.
The study was partially funded by TASER International and is available at http://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 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.
The TASER International logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2931
Note to Investors
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), including statements, without limitation, regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. We intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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. These statements are qualified by important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: (1) market acceptance of our products; (2) our ability to establish and expand direct and indirect distribution channels; (3) our ability to attract and retain the endorsement of key opinion-leaders in the law enforcement community; (4) the level of product technology and price competition for our products; (5) the degree and rate of growth of the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; (6) risks associated with rapid technological change and new product introductions; (7) competition; (8) litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries and death; (9) media publicity concerning allegations of deaths and injuries occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative effect this publicity could have on our sales; (10) TASER device tests and reports; (11) product quality; (12) implementation of manufacturing automation; (13) potential fluctuations in our quarterly operating results; (14) financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers; (15) order delays; (16) dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers; (17) negative reports concerning the TASER device; (18) fluctuations in component pricing; (19) government regulations and inquiries; (20) dependence upon key employees and our ability to retain employees; (21) execution and implementation risks of new technology; (22) ramping manufacturing production to meet demand; (23) medical and safety studies; and (24) other factors detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, those factors detailed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Form 10-Qs.
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 visit the company's web-site at www.TASER.com for facts and video.