Computer Motion Hires Vice President of Clinical, Regulatory and Quality Affairs; New Executive to Lead Company's Clinical Study Programs and Regulatory Approval Strategies.

Business Editors

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 1999

Computer Motion Inc. (Nasdaq:RBOT) announced today it has named Richard J. DeRisio to the position of vice president of clinical, regulatory and quality affairs.

DeRisio will be responsible for the strategic development of Computer Motion's clinical and regulatory processes and how they integrate into the company's overall business strategy.

DeRisio has more than 15 years in the medical device industry, 10 of which were spent working for Johnson & Johnson. He most recently served as the vice president, quality & compliance and vice president, clinical, regulatory and quality at Biosense Webster Inc. (a division of Johnson & Johnson).

DeRisio also spent 10 years working for the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), where his responsibilities included engineering and technical review, management of device foreign inspection activities, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance and providing guidance on sterilization and microbiological control.

"Computer Motion is thrilled to have Mr. DeRisio join our team," said Robert W. Duggan, chairman and CEO of Computer Motion. "With his background with the FDA and the medical device industry, Dick has developed significant regulatory experience with Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) studies, 510(k) approvals and Premarket Approvals (PMA) for cardiovascular devices.

"Bringing Dick on board with his FDA experience in Class II and Class III medical devices reinforces our commitment to ensure that Computer Motion meets or exceeds all requirements and expectations of the FDA and other regulatory approval agencies worldwide," added Duggan.

DeRisio commented, "I am excited to be a part of the team that will bring this innovative technology to doctors and their patients in the United States. Computer Motion has assembled a remarkable group of employees who are passionate about robotically assisted surgery and the benefits we believe it brings to health care."

DeRisio received a B.S., Chemical Engineering and an M.S., Food Science & Technology with a Minor in Microbiology from Cornell University. He is also a member of the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI), the Regulatory Affairs Professional Society (RAPS) and the Editorial Advisory Board for Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry magazine.

Computer Motion is creating the cornerstone technologies and products for tomorrow's Intelligent Operating Room(TM). The company develops, manufactures and markets proprietary computer-enhanced and robotic surgical systems which enhance surgeons' capabilities, improve outcomes and reduce costs.

Computer Motion markets the AESOP(R) 3000, a voice-controlled endoscope positioning system; the HERMES(TM) Control Center, a centralized system which enables the surgeon to voice control a network of "smart" medical devices; and the ZEUS(TM) Robotic Surgical System for new minimally invasive microsurgical procedures, such as beating heart Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (E-CABG(TM)).

The ZEUS System is currently under an FDA-approved investigational device exemption and is CE Marked for commercial sale in Europe. ZEUS is being co-marketed by Computer Motion and Medtronic (NYSE:MDT). The company's Internet Web site is www.ComputerMotion.com.

This news release contains forward-looking statements concerning the company's business and products. Actual results may differ materially depending on a number of risk factors, including the risks of competition and competing technologies, duration or suspension of clinical studies, regulatory clearances and approvals, and physician, hospital and payor acceptance of the company's products. These factors and other risks inherent in the company's business are described from time to time in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K. The company undertakes no obligation to revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.