For Immediate Release

VNUS MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES LAUNCHES CLOSURE® PLUS - NEW CATHETER FOR TREATMENT OF SAPHENOUS VEIN REFLUX AND VARICOSE VEINS

September 16, 2003

San Jose, CA, Sept. 16 -- VNUS Medical Technologies announced today the introduction of a new radiofrequency delivery device, Closure PLUS, for the treatment of saphenous vein reflux -- often an underlying cause of varicose veins. The Closure System has previously been shown in multiple randomized trials to offer advantages over traditional vein stripping.

Now, with the Closure PLUS catheter, physicians can take advantage of an improved ergonomic design for greater ease of use during the procedure, and no longer need to sterilize and inventory instrument cables for the System. Both physicians and patients will continue to benefit from the strong clinical outcomes and positive medical coverage policies of healthcare insurers in almost all U.S. states. Currently over 125 million people in the U.S. are covered for the Closure procedure. Other treatment approaches, such as laser therapy, are often considered "investigational" or "experimental" by healthcare insurers.

With the introduction of the Closure PLUS catheter, patients will continue to enjoy the advantages of the Closure procedure -- shorter recuperation time, less postoperative pain and bruising, faster return to normal activities, and quicker return to work compared to traditional vein stripping surgery.(1) With the Closure PLUS catheter, treatment can continue to be routinely performed with local anesthesia and as an out-patient or doctor's office procedure. To date, over 30,000 patients have been treated with the Closure System.

Brian Farley, VNUS Medical Technologies, President and CEO said, "Physicians performing the Closure procedure with the Closure PLUS catheter have been pleased to see significant improvements to the catheter in handling, ease of use and its fully integrated instrument cable."

About The Closure Procedure

The Closure procedure is a minimally invasive alternative for the treatment of superficial venous reflux, the underlying cause of varicose veins, leg pain, fatigue and swelling. The Closure procedure involves a thin catheter that is inserted into a diseased vein to

controllably deliver radiofrequency energy to heat the vein causing it to collapse and seal as the catheter is slowly withdrawn. The catheter is connected to a radiofrequency generator that constantly controls the vein temperature to guide effective therapeutic heating and sealing of the vein. In comparison to conventional vein stripping surgery, the Closure procedure has been demonstrated in clinical studies to offer quicker recuperation with less pain and bruising. The Closure PLUS catheter and procedure provides a minimally invasive alternative to vein stripping surgery and has been demonstrated in clinical trials to reduce post-operative pain and recovery time compared to vein stripping surgery. Previously published reports have shown that two years after treatment, more than 90% of treated legs are free of saphenous reflux and associated symptoms.

About VNUS Medical Technologies, Inc.

VNUS Medical Technologies, founded in 1995, is a privately held company and world leader in the development and commercialization of products for minimally invasive treatment of venous disease. The company currently markets the proprietary Closure System for patients who suffer from symptoms associated with venous reflux. The Closure system was cleared for marketing in the U.S. in March 1999. Since then, over 30,000 patients have received the Closure procedure and numerous studies have shown the Closure procedure provides substantial benefits to patients. For more information please visit the company's web site at http://www.vnus.com/

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