Empi Announces FDA Clearance Of Select(TM) TENS Device

Empi, a global market leader
in non-invasive, non-systemic pain management and physical rehabilitation
for more than 30 years, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has granted clearance to market the Empi Select(TM)
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) device.


The Select(TM) device is designed specifically for the relief of
chronic, arthritic, and post-surgical pain. The portable device can be used
at home or on-the-go, and integrates site specific, preset treatment
programs that make it convenient and easy-to-use. This feature ensures that
the patient receives the appropriate electrotherapy treatment, specific to
their condition and treatment site.



John Velure, Empi's Senior Director of Marketing, said, "The Select(TM)
product is the first in a new generation of pain-management devices that
are so easy to use that we believe patients will be more compliant and
achieve more predictable pain relief than any of its predecessors. We
believe that healthcare providers will take great comfort in knowing that
their patients are getting the most appropriate treatment for their
specific conditions."



The Select(TM) device also includes a patented SMP waveform that
delivers maximum pain relief through the use of both endorphin release and
gate control pathways. "Empi's primary focus is to offer healthcare
providers non-invasive, non-systemic solutions for managing pain, usually
as a complement to standard pharmacotherapies," said Peter Baird, Group
President - Therapeutic Devices of Encore Medical Corporation, parent
company of Empi.



The Select(TM) device represents the cornerstone of Empi's brand
revitalization efforts and is the first new electrotherapy device to be
developed by Empi following its 2006 merger with Compex Technologies, Inc.,
which operated under the name Rehabilicare. The jointly developed product
draws on the best of the engineering and legacy devices of both predecessor
companies.



The Select(TM) device will be available from Family Practice, Pain
Management, Orthopedic and other physicians in mid-February, 2007.



About Empi



Empi is a global medical technology leader in designing and
manufacturing transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and
neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) devices, iontophoretic drug
delivery systems, and splinting products used for pain management,
rehabilitation and edema reduction in clinic, home healthcare, sports and
occupational medicine settings. Empi is the largest operating division of
Encore Medical Corporation, which is wholly owned by the Blackstone Group.



Further information is available at empi.



About Encore Medical Corporation



Encore Medical Corporation is a diversified orthopedic device company
with leading positions in many of the markets in which it competes. Encore
develops, manufactures and distributes a comprehensive range of
high-quality orthopedic devices used for rehabilitation, pain management
and physical therapy. It also develops, manufactures and distributes a
comprehensive suite of surgical reconstructive implant products. Encore
believes that it is one of a few orthopedic device companies that offer
healthcare professionals and patients a diverse range of orthopedic
rehabilitation and surgical reconstructive implant products addressing the
complete spectrum of pre- operative, post-operative, clinical and home
rehabilitation care.
















Further information is available at encoremed.



About The Blackstone Group



The Blackstone Group, a global private investment and advisory firm,
was founded in 1985. The firm has raised a total of approximately $59
billion for alternative asset investing since its formation, of which
roughly $27 billion has been for private equity investing. The healthcare
sector is one of Blackstone's core areas of focus, with current investments
in pharmaceuticals, hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare services and
health insurance. Blackstone's other core businesses include Private Real
Estate Investing, Corporate Debt Investing, Hedge Funds, Mutual Fund
Management, Private Placement, Marketable Alternative Asset Management, and
Investment Banking Advisory Services.



Further information is available at blackstone.


Encore Medical Corporation

encoremed