EXHIBIT 20.1



                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



     Rahway, New Jersey, May 17, 1999;  Electro-Catheter  Corporation  announced
today that it has sought protection  pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 11 of
the Federal  Bankruptcy  Code. The Chapter 11 proceeding was filed in the United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey in Trenton, New Jersey on
May 14,  1999.  Ravin,  Greenberg  & Marks,  P.A.  of  Roseland,  New  Jersey is
representing the Company in its Chapter 11 proceeding.

     On May 13, 1999,  Electro-Catheter  Corporation suspended the production of
catheters until further notice. The Company continues to ship catheters from its
inventory.

     Electro-Catheter Corporation designs, develops,  manufactures and markets a
broad line of catheters  and  catheter-related  products  utilized in connection
with the  diagnosis  and  treatment of  illnesses  of the heart and  circulatory
systems.

     Electro-Catheter  Corporation  stock is  traded on the OTC  Bulletin  Board
under the symbol ECTH.

     For additional  information  contact Arlene Bell, Public Relations at (732)
382-5600.