Impella, the World's Smallest Heart Pump, has supported more than 1,600 patients in the U.S. and more than 3,000 patients worldwide. Over the past fiscal year 2010, product enhancements to the Impella have included a new introducer sheath and a quick set-up software and kit, which have allowed customers to reduce the Impella set-up time from 11 minutes to 2 minutes.

Through this latest enhancement, Opsens' fiber optic sensors will be integrated into the Impella catheter and will allow for further improvements in set-up time, as well as provide a high-quality pressure monitoring capability that can eventually be used to help automate the control and operation of the Impella pump. Unlike current fiber optic sensors used on other cardiac assist devices today such as certain Intra-Aortic Balloons (IABs), Opsens' fiber optic sensor is designed to provide longer-term accuracy and reliability.

"This partnership with Opsens further demonstrates Abiomed's commitment to continue enhancing and updating Impella technology and providing better results for customers," said David M. Weber, Chief Operating Officer of Abiomed. "By integrating Opsens' technology into our Impella platform, we can provide our customers with even more calculated control and insight during their high-risk and emergent procedures."

ABOUT ABIOMED

Based in Danvers, Massachusetts, Abiomed, Inc. is a leading provider of medical devices that provide circulatory support to acute heart failure patients across the continuum of care in heart recovery. Our products are designed to enable the heart to rest, heal and recover by improving blood flow and/or performing the pumping of the heart. For additional information please visit: www.abiomed.com.

About Opsens (www.opsens.com)

Opsens is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of fiber optic sensors and associated signal conditioners based on proprietary patented and patent pending technologies. Opsens' sensors provide long-term accuracy and reliability in the harshest environments. Opsens provides sensors to measure pressure, temperature, strain and displacement to original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and end-users in the oil and gas, medical, high-power transformers, and laboratory fields. Opsens provides complete technical support, including installation, training, after-sales service, for its fiber optics systems that are regulated by the ISO 9001-2008 norm.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding development of Abiomed's existing and new products, the Company's progress toward commercial growth, and future opportunities and expected regulatory approvals. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements based upon a number of factors, including uncertainties associated with development, testing, regulatory approvals, anticipated future losses, complex manufacturing, high quality requirements, dependence on limited sources of supply, competition, technological change, government regulation, future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing, and other risks and challenges detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and the most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date of this Release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Abiomed, Impella, iPulse, BVS5000, AB5000, AbioCor and the Abiomed logo are all trademarks of Abiomed. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Abiomed, Inc.

Abiomed
Paula Carpinella, 978-646-1816
ir@abiomed.com