ZOLL AutoPulse Receives Marketing Approval In Japan

Chelmsford, MA - ZOLL Medical Corporation, a manufacturer of resuscitation devices and related software solutions, announced recently that it has received approval from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) to market the ZOLL AutoPulse® Non-invasive Cardiac Support Pump to hospitals and emergency medical services in Japan.

The product will be sold through its exclusive distributor in Japan, Nihon Kohden Corporation, which according to ZOLL is Japan's largest distributor of medical equipment. In May 2006, ZOLL announced a five-year agreement with Nihon Kohden to market and sell the AutoPulse in Japan.

According to the latest information available from the MHLW, there are an estimated 9,500 hospitals and 88,000 clinics in Japan. In addition, Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency notes that there are approximately 900 fire defense headquarters around Japan that are staffed with special rescue teams to provide emergency services.

According to Richard A. Packer, President and Chief Executive Officer of ZOLL, "This approval allows us access to the world's second largest market for medical devices. We are pleased to have received this approval so that we can begin to realize sales in this market."

SOURCE: ZOLL Medical Corporation