Global Healthcare Products Leader Partners with Sleep Pointe to Bring Sleep Apnea Education, Diagnosis and Treatment to Transportation Industry

BOULDER, Colo., Jun 19, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Covidien (NYSE: COV, BSX: COV), a leading global healthcare
products company, today announced the latest advance in its "Unite to
Treat Sleep Apnea" initiative, an integrated program connecting
physicians, sleep labs, treatment providers and patients to improve
the diagnosis and treatment of those afflicted with obstructive sleep
apnea. The Company is now partnering with Sleep Pointe, an
organization dedicated to providing sleep apnea management and
wellness programs within the transportation industry.

Covidien created the "Unite to Treat Sleep Apnea" initiative in
response to the increased demand for sleep apnea treatment. According
to the National Institutes of Health, approximately 12 million
Americans suffer from sleep apnea, and an additional 10 million remain
undiagnosed.

"Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea is an urgent issue, as it
reduces productivity and shortens life spans. This partnership is
designed to help keep drivers in the transportation industry safe by
increasing the availability of diagnostic and therapeutic resources,"
said Scott Drake, President, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions,
Covidien. "Initiatives like 'Unite to Treat Sleep Apnea' are valuable
because they further the diagnosis, treatment and compliance of this
life-threatening disease."

The transportation industry is directly impacted by the serious
potential consequences of drivers affected by untreated or undiagnosed
sleep apnea. Approximately 28% of commercial truck drivers are
affected by sleep apnea(1), and without treatment, they are up to
seven times more likely to be involved in an accident(2). Proper
treatment of sleep apnea may help reduce the risk of many other
associated diseases, including hypertension, diabetes and
cardiovascular disease.

"Professional drivers are a difficult group of patients to reach,"
said Dr. Neale Lange, MD, FCCP, FASM, director of Sleep Services at
St. Anthony Central Hospital, Denver. "Any intervention that removes
or reduces barriers to diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnea in
anyone operating a vehicle should be strongly supported. It's not only
about sleep quantity but also about sleep quality. Focusing on sleep
as it relates to health should become a priority of our healthcare
system."

Using Covidien's broad range of sleep products, Sleep Pointe has
developed a comprehensive sleep management program dedicated
exclusively to the health and safety of those in the transportation
industry. Sleep Pointe's Mobile Sleep Solution Centers are built on
53-foot trailers, feature private bedrooms, bathrooms and a fully
functional sleep technician room and will be available at many easily
accessible locations across the country.

"Untreated sleep apnea in the transportation industry is known to
contribute to serious accidents and severe health consequences," said
Duke Naipohn, President and CEO, Sleep Pointe. "This alliance will
help Sleep Pointe accomplish our mission of keeping drivers on the
road, improving their health and wellness and reducing the incidence
of fatigue-related accidents."

An inaugural event was held today at Covidien's Boulder, Colorado,
campus to formally announce this partnership.

Covidien plans to expand its "Unite to Treat Sleep Apnea"
initiative globally to support comprehensive solutions that better
enhance diagnosis, treatment and compliance in the rapidly growing
sleep care industry. For more information about the "Unite to Treat
Sleep Apnea" program, please visit www.covidien.com/sleepapnea.

About Covidien

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that
creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes and
delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. Covidien
manufactures, distributes and services a diverse range of
industry-leading product lines in four segments: Medical Devices,
Imaging Solutions, Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Supplies. With
2007 revenue of nearly $9 billion, Covidien has more than 42,000
employees worldwide in 57 countries, and its products are sold in over
130 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our
business.

About Sleep Pointe

Sleep Pointe is a sister company of Somnograph Inc., a
privately-held sleep diagnostic company headquartered in Wichita, KS.
Somnograph has performed well over 100,000 sleep studies in its ten
years of existence. Sleep Pointe intends to use this experience and
expertise to provide obstructive sleep apnea education, screening,
testing, and treatment for transportation companies throughout the
U.S. To learn more, please visit www.sleeppointe.com.

Covidien Contacts

(1) Pack, Allen I; Dinges, David F.; Maislin, Greg. A Study of
Prevalence of Sleep Apnea Among Commercial Truck Drivers, FMCSA,
Publication No. DOT-RT-02-030, Washington, DC, 20002.

(2) Horstmann, S.; Hess, C.; Bassett, C.; Gusser, M.; and Mathis,
J. (2000). Sleepiness-Related Accidents in Sleep Apnea Patients.
Sleep, 23 (3), 383-389.

SOURCE: Covidien

Covidien
Cheryl Whitecotton, 303-305-2323
Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions
cheryl.whitecotton@covidien.com
or
David Young, 508-261-6330
Media Relations Manager
david.young@covidien.com
or
Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343
Vice President Investor Relations
cole.lannum@covidien.com
or
Wayde McMillan, 508-452-4387
Director Investor Relations
wayde.mcmillan@covidien.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008