PLAINSBORO, N.J., May 3, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:IART) will feature the CUSA ShearTip™ at the 2010 American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) annual meeting, May 1-5, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The CUSA ShearTip™ is a fibrous tissue tip for Integra's CUSA EXcel^® Ultrasonic Surgical Tissue Ablation platform that includes the CUSA EXcel^® and the CUSA EXcel^®+ systems. The CUSA ShearTip™ has received 510(k) clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE Mark Certification in the European Union. 

The CUSA ShearTip™ is designed to remove tough, tenacious, collagen-rich fibrous tissues that are resistant to fragmentation with traditional ultrasonic tips, such as fibrous meningiomas and connective tissues.

The CUSA ShearTip™ features a unique tip design incorporating Integra's revolutionary ShearWave™ Technology. The tip creates shear stresses within fibrous tissue by directing intersecting waves of ultrasonic energy from tapered serrations on the tip end.  Unlike traditional ultrasonic tips, the CUSA ShearTip™ does not stretch the tissue fibers longitudinally, but allows the ultrasonic waves to break the fibers by cutting through them like a pair of scissors. This increases the removal rate of targeted tissue by up to 50% compared to other CUSA EXcel^® Tips, enabling the system to address a wider range of tissue types. The CUSA Shear Tip™ can be used with the unique TissueSelect™ function of the CUSA EXcel^® System, which maintains fragmentation capability for tumor removal while maximizing selectivity for surgeon control around critical structures.

One of the first neurosurgeons to use the CUSA ShearTip™, Dr. Douglas M. Hershkowitz from Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte, FL, acknowledged the value of the CUSA ShearTip™. After his first case using the CUSA ShearTip™, he stated, "The tumor was extremely fibrous, and without the CUSA ShearTip™ we would have been here (in the operating room) all day and night."   

"We are delighted to have created a tool that offers surgeons improved efficacy in fibrous tissue removal, helping save valuable time in the operating room," said Chris Thatcher, President of Integra NeuroSciences.  "The benefits of the CUSA ShearTip™ are widely recognized, allowing surgeons to expand their use of the CUSA EXcel^® in neurosurgical and other applications where targeted tissues have been difficult to remove using ultrasonic energy." 

It is estimated that over 200,000 patients are diagnosed with a brain tumor in the U.S. annually, of which approximately 40,000 have primary brain tumors.  The most common primary brain tumors are meningiomas, a type of benign tumor that is typically asymptomatic in its early stages that often remains undetected for some time.  By the time they become symptomatic, meningiomas are often fibrous and dense, making them difficult to remove with conventional ultrasonic tips.  

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation, a world leader in regenerative medicine, is a global medical device company dedicated to improving the quality of life for millions of patients each year.  The company's products are used primarily in orthopedics, neurosurgery and general surgery.  Headquartered in Plainsboro, New Jersey, Integra has research and manufacturing facilities throughout the world.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the future use of the CUSA EXcel^® and CUSA EXcel^®+ Ultrasonic Tissue Ablation Systems, CUSA ShearTip™, ShearWave™ Technology, and TissueSelect™ function.   Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from predicted or expected results. Among other things, the willingness of physicians to use these products may affect the prospects for their use in clinical procedures.   In addition, the economic, competitive, governmental, technological and other factors, identified under the Risk Factors included in Item lA of Integra's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and information contained in subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, could affect actual results.

IART-P

CONTACT:  Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.
          Gianna Sabella, Director of Corporate Communications
          (609) 936-2389
          gsabella@integra-LS.com

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