April 26, 2000 --

C.R. Bard announced that it has received Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance for Memotherm, a colorectal stent for treating malignant obstructions resulting from colorectal cancer. Memotherm is a self-expanding nitinol stent that is preloaded on a flexible catheter and placed endoscopically in the colon, without the need for any incisions or general anesthesia, according to the Murray Hill, NJ-based firm. Bard's interventional products division will begin marketing Memotherm immediately.