In 2009, Covidien moved up from the number two position to take the #1 spot in rankings for the first time, driven by a 50% increase in Technology Strength™, an overall assessment of a company’s intellectual property quality and quantity, and a 27% increase in Industry Impact™, the extent to which others are building on Covidien’s portfolio of U.S. patents. Covidien first appeared on the Patent Scorecard in 2007, the year that it became an independent company, and ranked #4 on the Scorecard that year.

“Covidien’s continued dedication to the innovation process is reflected in our achieving this prestigious number one ranking. It underscores the depth of our intellectual capital and our collaborative approach to intellectual property development,” said Joe Almeida, President, Medical Devices, Covidien.

Covidien led the industry in Technology Strength – a key indicator that is the basis of The Patent Board’s Patent Scorecard rankings. Covidien also showed significant gains in other ranking measures, including Industry Impact and Science Strength™. The Science Strength indicator shows a company’s overall reliance on scientific research in its patenting activity.

“Covidien’s performance was exceptional. The company demonstrated a substantial advance in Science Strength, increasing its score by 80% since the previous Patent Scorecard,” said Christine Wren, Director of External Communications, The Patent Board.

Covidien has a strong science-linked patent presence in all four of its segments — Medical Devices, Imaging Solutions, Pharmaceutical Products and Medical Supplies — and will continue to strengthen its technology development efforts. Covidien’s businesses work together to turn Covidien’s technology advances into patents and other valuable IP assets for the Company.

Covidien Products and Services include:

• Autosuture:  Surgical Stapling and Laparoscopic Instrumentation Solutions
• Devon:  Operating Room Products and Safety Solutions
• Kendall:  Clinical Care, SharpSafety, Vascular Therapy, Nursing Care, Monitoring & Operating Room Products, OEM Products
• Mallinckrodt Pharmaceutical: Addiction Treatment, Brand and Generic Pharmaceuticals, Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
• Imaging: Contrast Agents and Delivery Systems, Radiopharmaceuticals
• Nellcor:  Pulse Oximetry, Airway and Temperature Management, Critical Care Accessories
• Puritan Bennett:  Ventilators, Oxygen Systems, Sleep Therapy and Diagnostics, Spirometry, Hospital Software Solutions
• Syneture:  Sutures, Suture Needles, Surgical Accessories, Cardiovascular Devices
• Valleylab:  Vessel Sealing, Electrosurgery, RF Ablation, RF Pain Management

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 2008 revenue of nearly $10 billion, Covidien has more than 41,000 employees worldwide in 59 countries, and its products are sold in over 140 countries. Please visit www.covidien.com to learn more about our business.

Covidien
Eric Kraus, 508-261-8305
Senior Vice President,
Communications
eric.kraus@covidien.com

Coleman Lannum, CFA, 508-452-4343
Vice President
Investor Relations
cole.lannum@covidien.com

Bruce Farmer, 508-452-4372
Vice President
Public Relations
bruce.farmer@covidien.com

Brian Nameth, 508-452-4363
Director
Investor Relations