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MEDTRONIC LAUNCHES E-LEARNING PROGRAM FOR INTERSTIM® THERAPY TRAINING

Internet Tool Provides Physicians with Interactive Education Online

MINNEAPOLIS -- Feb. 4, 2002 -- Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT), today announced the availability of its e-Learning program for physicians interested in InterStim Therapy for Urinary Control. InterStim Therapy
is a treatment for certain refractory bladder control problems that uses an implanted medical device akin to a cardiac pacemaker to deliver sacral nerve stimulation.

Until now, urologists and urogynecologists were required to take time away from their practices and personal lives to attend in-person training sessions on sacral nerve stimulation. The introduction of an Internet-based training curriculum provides physicians with the flexibility and convenience of learning at their own pace and on their own time.

Physicians completing the program will receive a certificate of attendance and will qualify for the second level of training, which entails conducting their first test stimulation. This preliminary screening helps identify patients who are most likely to benefit from InterStim Therapy.

"In-depth, efficient training for physicians enables us to deliver an even higher standard of care to our patients," said Schlomo Raz, M.D., a professor in the Department of Surgery for the UCLA School of Medicine's Division of Urology and an e-Learning faculty member. "e-Learning provides physicians with the means to address their training needs immediately. We've already enrolled more than 100 physicians in the United States and internationally, and believe many more will follow."

The e-Learning program will help participants assimilate the basic principles and practices of InterStim Therapy, including patient selection and where the treatment should be positioned in the care continuum for urinary urge incontinence, significant symptoms of urgency-frequency and nonobstructive urinary retention. Upon completing
the program, physicians will meet the initial requirements for becoming an InterStim Therapy implanter. Physicians are then required to complete test stimulations and implants with the guidance of an experienced
physician.

"e-Learning epitomizes 21st century education, harnessing the power of the Internet to deliver a quality curriculum for instructional purposes," said Martha Goldberg Aronson, vice president and general manager of Medtronic's Gastroenterological / Urological business, which includes InterStim Therapy. "We're thrilled to provide this convenient, state-of-the-art resource to physicians to help them prepare to treat patients with InterStim Therapy."

Developed with the assistance of a faculty of leading urologists and urogynecologists with expertise in sacral nerve stimulation, the e-Learning curriculum consists of seven modules and is free for physicians. The modules are interactive and include animation and streaming video, as well as exercises and review questions. In addition, participants receive a CD-ROM containing educational surgical videos, and audio programs on patient/physician communication. Finally, physicians have the option of communicating with e-Learning faculty
members.

Physicians can enroll in the e-Learning program by registering online at http://www.training.interstim.com. The password-protected program is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and provides users the
freedom to start and stop at their convenience.

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical technology company, providing lifelong solutions for people with chronic disease. More information on InterStim
Therapy can be found online at www.interstim.com or by calling 1-800-664-5111.

Any statements made about the company's anticipated financial results and regulatory approvals are forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties such as those described in the company's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2001. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.


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