SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., May 17, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- TASER International, Inc. (Nasdaq:TASR), a market leader in advanced electronic control devices, announced that a study by Cleveland Clinic reported that a standard electrical discharge from a TASER(r) X26 electronic control device (ECD) does not induce ventricular fibrillation.
The study used 13 anesthetized adult pigs according to Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, M.D., an electrophysiology (EP) fellow at Cleveland Clinic during the study and now clinical assistant professor of medicine at the University of Kansas Hospital and a practicing Cardiac Electrophysiologist with the Bloch Heart Rhythm Center. It assessed the vulnerability for ventricular fibrillation (VF) induction by a standard five-second TASER X26 discharge at varying locations on the body surface in a pig model. VF was never induced with the standard one-time TASER X26 application at any of the five positions. The study concluded that even with the worst-case locations, with probes plunged fully towards the heart, the researchers were never able to induce VF in 34 kg (76 lb) pigs at standard strength and duration of application.
"A standard five-second TASER ECD application is unlikely to cause life-threatening arrhythmias, at least in the normal heart, irrespective of the position of application," said Dr. Lakkireddy.
"This research provides vital data on the electrical current of TASER technology," said Rick Smith, CEO for TASER International. "The study sheds light on the often speculated issue of probe location as it relates to VF concerns during a TASER X26 application. Although this debunks past speculation in the media concerning this issue we continue to encourage and support further research into this technology," concluded Smith.
This study was presented as a featured abstract at the Heart Rhythm Society 28th Annual Sessions in Denver, CO last week. The study's research poster is available at: http://www.abstracts2view.com/hrs07/view.php?nu=6361&terms.
About TASER International, Inc.
TASER International provides advanced electronic control devices for use in the law enforcement, military, private security and personal defense markets. TASER(r) devices use proprietary technology to incapacitate dangerous, combative or high-risk subjects who pose a risk to law enforcement officers, innocent citizens or themselves in a manner that is generally recognized as a safer alternative to other uses of force. TASER technology saves lives every day, and the use of TASER devices dramatically reduces injury rates for police officers and suspects. For more information on TASER life-saving technology, please call TASER International at (800) 978-2737 or visit our website at www.TASER.com.
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TASER International assumes no obligation to update the information contained in this press release. TASER International's forward looking statements in this press release and future results may be impacted by the completion of the restatement of the Company's financial results for the first quarter of 2005 and the second quarter of 2005, risks associated with rapid technological change, new product introductions, new technological developments and implementations, execution issues associated with new technology, ramping manufacturing production to meet demand, litigation results from Company filed lawsuits and other litigation including lawsuits resulting from alleged product related injuries, media publicity concerning allegations of deaths occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative impact this could have on sales, product quality, implementation of manufacturing automation, potential fluctuations in quarterly operating results, adjustments to these amounts which may be reflected in our 10Q filing, competition, financial and budgetary constraints of prospects and customers, international order delays, dependence upon sole and limited source suppliers, negative reports concerning TASER device uses, governmental inquiries and investigations, medical and safety studies, fluctuations in component pricing, government regulations, variation among law enforcement agencies with their TASER product experience, TASER device tests and reports, dependence upon key employees, and our ability to retain employees. TASER International's future results may also be impacted by other risk factors listed from time to time in its SEC filings, including, but not limited to, the Company's Form 10-Qs and its Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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