New Gore Medical Membrane For Surgical Smoke Filtration Reduces Manufacturing Cost, Streamlines Design

ELKTON, MD (June 13, 2005) - W. L. Gore & Associates, supplier of high-performing specialized media to the world's leading medical products manufacturers, announces the availability of GORE™ Medical Membrane for Surgical Smoke Filtration.

The new product's unique all-in-one design combines high particle-holding capability and long life with a robust contamination barrier to provide the highest available protection to health care workers, patients and equipment. It is designed to prevent breakthrough of pathogens found in smoke and aerosolized fluids.

It is suitable for surgical smoke filtration applications for both laparoscopic and invasive procedures.

GORE™ Medical Membrane for surgical smoke filtration is a multi-layer laminate combining a microfiberglass prefilter to trap smoke particles and a hydrophobic PTFE membrane to contain bulk liquids and provide fine filtration of smoke and aerosols containing bacteria and viruses. The prefilter also significantly reduces clogging of the PTFE membrane by smoke, allowing strong suction to be maintained throughout the surgical procedure.

This all-in-one design eliminates the need for separate coarse and high-efficiency filters, making new device designs simpler and more cost-effective. The media is available in a variety of product forms that can be adapted to existing or new designs, and is readily processed in automated manufacturing environments.

ABOUT W.L. GORE & ASSOCIATES, INC.

W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., a technology solutions provider with over $1.5 billion in sales and 6,000 associates, specializes in fluoropolymer innovations that improve the quality of life. Over its 40-year history, Gore has applied its world-renowned expertise with membranes and laminates to thousands of products for high-volume, cost-sensitive markets, such as automotive, energy, electronics and industrial filtration. The company operates more than 45 facilities worldwide with headquarters in Newark, Delaware, USA. For more information, visit www.gore.com or call 1-877-GOREOEM (1-877-467-3636).