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To: CO who wrote (1023)	3/17/1998 11:18:00 AM
From: Instock	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1488

NEWS!! CompuMed Scientists Perform First Ever High Resolution Filmless X-Ray Bone Density Test Technology Will Enable Automated Digital Arthritis Detection MANHATTAN BEACH, Calif., March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- CompuMed, Inc. (Nasdaq: CMPD - news) announced today that it has successfully performed the world's first bone mineral density test utilizing a full-resolution filmless digital x-ray detector. This breakthrough will enable the fine detail analysis of bones and joints that has not been possible with the current generation of x- ray and ultrasound bone densitometers. Such fine detail analysis is believed to be the key to detecting arthritis, as well as reliably and quickly tracking changes that result from osteoporosis and arthritis therapeutic interventions. The amorphous silicon flat panel x-ray detection system has been developed and manufactured by Varian Associates, Inc. (NYSE: VAR - news) and Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX - news) under a multi-million dollar grant from the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Bone mineral density was successfully determined by CompuMed utilizing a revolutionary technology that builds upon components of software it originally developed as part of the OsteoGram(R) bone density test, which CompuMed has licensed to Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK - news). CompuMed is reassuming its worldwide exclusive rights to the OsteoGram effective March 31, 1998. CompuMed has obtained worldwide exclusive rights to Varian's amorphous silicon technology in the fields of appendicular bone mass measurement and computer-assisted arthritis detection. CompuMed will use the Varian technology in its new Digital OsteoView(R) 2000, the world's first device with a hardware and software platform capable of detecting both osteoporosis and arthritis. CompuMed's breakthrough will allow it to fully utilize the highest resolution of the Varian flat-panel detector. CompuMed and two other companies have previously reported successfully measuring bone mineral density from digital x-ray images, but not at the full resolution of the digital detector. A technique known as pixel-binning, which combines the light collected at groups of adjacent pixels to enable low light image collection, had previously been the only known way to achieve sufficient signal-to-noise ratio to measure bone mineral density. The accuracy of the pixel-binning approach is significantly limited by the dramatic decrease in resolution that results from combining neighboring pixels. Features such as joint spacings and bone erosions which must be resolved in order to diagnose arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions, and small trabecular structures in bone that play a critical role in bone strength get blurred beyond recognition when pixel-binning is utilized. CompuMed's new full-resolution digital image processing technology can overcome these limitations. ''We are defining a migration path for our technology beyond osteoporosis, and this advance is a critical milestone in accomplishing our goals,'' said Jim Linesch, CompuMed President and CEO. The potential market for osteoporosis and arthritis detection devices has been estimated at well over $1 billion annually. CompuMed is planning to release its first device that uses this technology, the Digital OsteoView 2000, after the conclusion of clinical trials and U.S. FDA 510(k) marketing clearance later this year. The Digital OsteoView 2000 is expected to play a key role in both the clinical validation and the widespread availability of several exciting new classes of pharmaceuticals that target various aspects of arthritis, as well as the identification and management of patients with low bone mass or osteoporosis. CompuMed, based in Manhattan Beach, California, develops solutions to important medical problems through the use of computer technology. In addition to the OsteoView and OsteoGram, CompuMed has developed computer-aided telemedicine services for cardiology and currently provides on-line computer interpretation of electrocardiograms (ECGs) to physicians, government and corporate healthcare providers. This news release contains forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, product development and consumer demand and acceptance, changes in technology, ability to raise capital, the availability of appropriate acquisition candidates and/or business partnerships, economic conditions, impact of competition and pricing, capacity and supply constraints or difficulties, government regulation and other risks. All such forward-looking statements whether written or oral, and whether made by or on behalf of the Company are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements which may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.