New Scalpel Passes the Test

OCCUPATIONAL & MEDICAL INNOVATIONS LIMIT 2002-05-07 ASX-SIGNAL-G

HOMEX - Brisbane

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A surgical scalpel designed by a Brisbane based biomedical company
has been trialed for the first time during an operation at the
Princess Alexandra Hospital and the instrument has been hailed a
success and a breakthrough in safety standards.

The Occupational & Medical Innovations Ltd (OMI) designed scalpel was
used by renowned Queensland surgeon, Professor Russell Strong when he
operated on a patient undergoing abdominal surgery.

"The main difference between conventional scalpels and this design is
in the safety features," Professor Strong said.

The OMI scalpel blade is encased in a protective sheath and can be
attached to either a plastic of a traditional stainless steel handle.
The safety sheath slides down when the scalpel is being used, but
then slides back to cover the blade when not in use.

"The OMI scalpel can be rendered completely safe, which is very
important in an operating theatre. Injuries can occur when scalpel
blades are applied or removed from handles or simply when the
instrument is being handled during an operation," Professor Strong
said.

"Anything that leads to a safer working environment is a good thing."

Professor Strong knows just how dangerous scalpels can be. Several
years ago, he sustained a deep cut to his hand, which severed a
nerve, when a scalpel was mishandled in surgery. He said nursing
staff in the operating theatre during the trial of the OMI scalpel
were also very impressed with the safety features.

Bruce Kiehne, the Managing Director of OMI said the inspiration for
the safety scalpel came from a television show.

"In this particular episode, one of the doctors was badly cut by a
scalpel and my wife said there must be a way to prevent that from
happening, so I started designing an instrument that would be as
close as possible to a normal scalpel in weight, feel and appearance,
but much safer," Mr Kiehne said.

"The prototype was developed and modified with input from leading
doctors. Now we have an instrument, which is a Queensland invention,
with the potential to reduce scalpel related injuries for health
workers around the world."

It also has the potential to be a lucrative venture for the Logan
based company. The worldwide market for scalpels is conservatively
estimated at 1 billion units per year.

OMI has recently signed an agreement with a Shanghai based
pharmaceutical equipment manufacturer, to produce commercial
quantities of the safety scalpel. The scalpels will be delivered
within six weeks and OMI then hopes to have the instrument used in
Australian hospitals.

D Jenkins
COMPANY SECRETARY

NOTE: Betacam footage of Prof, Strong using the OMI safety scalpel in
surgery is available.