Medtronic CareLink® Network Fact Sheet

What is the Medtronic CareLink® Network?

The Medtronic CareLink® Network is the industry's first Internet-based service-for both clinicians and cardiac device patients-that provides similar device-related and physiologic patient data that formerly required an office visit. A key component of the Medtronic CareLink Network is the Medtronic CareLink® Monitor, an FDA-approved in-home monitoring system for patients who have received various Medtronic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), including the Medtronic Marquis® DR/VR, Maximo^TM DR/VR, InSync Marquis^TM, In Sync II Marquis^TM, InSync ICD®, GEM® III DR/VR, GEM® II DR/VR, GEM® and GEM® DR devices. In addition to the monitor, the network is comprised of clinician and patient Web sites.

• The easy-to-use Medtronic CareLink Monitor allows patients to gather information about their implanted devices by simply holding an antenna (a small device shaped similarly to a computer mouse) over their device and transmitting information to the Medtronic CareLink Network through a standard telephone line.
• The clinician Web site harnesses the power of the Internet to provide doctors and nurses with a convenient and secure way to obtain and analyze similar device-related and physiological patient data obtained during an office visit.
• For patients and their families, the Medtronic CareLink Network provides a Web site where they will be able to obtain a wealth of educational information, as well as access to personalized device data, from the convenience of their own homes.
• The system is designed to improve clinician office productivity. Its up-to-the-minute monitoring may serve to eliminate unwarranted emergency room and office visits (for symptomatic events or post-shock episodes), and provide patients with peace of mind, knowing an informed decision is only a dial-up away.

Advanced Care

• The Medtronic CareLink Web site for device patients and their families enables patients to learn more about their medical condition and therapy, and better understand how to live with their disease.
• The Medtronic CareLink Monitor takes advantage of advanced medical monitoring technologies, allowing patients to send device and physiologic data to their clinic without having to leave their homes, bringing peace of mind and reassurance to patients and their families.
• While the Medtronic CareLink Network does not entirely eliminate the need for periodic office visits, it does provide clinicians with access to important information to determine when patients need to be seen.
• Pending future FDA approvals, patients with a wide range of implanted Medtronic cardiac devices could use the network.

How does the Medtronic CareLink Network work?

The Medtronic CareLink Network is designed to monitor the implanted device's performance, as well as certain physiologic aspects of the patient's condition. The Medtronic CareLink Network consists of three components:

• Medtronic CareLink Monitor
  The Medtronic CareLink Monitor is easy to use, and the entire process takes only a few minutes. The patient simply pushes a button to turn on the monitor and then places the small, computer mouse-shaped antenna over their implanted device. The monitor reads device-related and physiologic data similar to data that is obtained during an office visit. It then automatically dials a toll-free, pre-programmed number to send the information to the Medtronic CareLink Network via a standard, home telephone connection. The Medtronic CareLink Monitor uses audible tones and indicator lights to confirm that the transmission was successful. Use of the Medtronic CareLink Monitor will not reprogram the functioning of patients' implanted cardiac devices. Only the patient's clinician can do this in the clinic.
• A secure clinician Web site
  Clinicians can monitor the condition of patients who use the monitor by viewing their device information on the clinician Web site when needed. Only registered users can access device-related and physiologic patient data by logging onto the password-protected Medtronic CareLink site.
• A Web site for patients and their families
  Patients must register to gain access to the password-protected site for device patients and their families. Once registered, patients can provide their family and friends with access rights to their personalized site, where the patient and their family can learn more about their medical condition and therapy, and better understand how to live with their disease.

The Technology behind the Medtronic CareLink Network

• Medtronic has partnered with well-known technology companies in the development of the Medtronic CareLink Network. The facilities and infrastructure that process the electronic patient information employ industry standard security systems.
• The robust technical architecture is designed to provide high availability, security and scalability.
• The Medtronic CareLink Network utilizes the same servers and encryption software used for vital applications in medical and financial institutions.

Security

• Medtronic has taken significant measures to protect patients' personal medical information.
• Medtronic has worked with experts to build a secure Internet site that employs multiple levels of security and encryption technologies.
• Only registered users can access patient data on the clinician Web site. In general, the same clinicians who have access to patient information in a clinic setting will have access to information on the Medtronic CareLink site.
• Patients and their families or friends must register to gain access to the password-protected site for patients.

CONTACT:
Valerie Lind
Medtronic
763-505-2631