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                                                                    Exhibit 99.1

                                  Press Release

                   Medtronic and Sofamor Danek Agree to Merge
        As Global Leader In Neurological and Spinal Medical Technologies

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Medtronic, Inc. (NYSE: MDT - news), and
Sofamor Danek Group, Inc. (NYSE: SDG - news), today announced a merger agreement
that will transform Medtronic into the global leader in advanced medical
technologies for the treatment of neurological and spinal disorders. The
agreement calls for Medtronic to exchange $115 in Medtronic stock for each share
of Sofamor Danek. The agreement is subject to certain collar provisions.

"The merger with Sofamor Danek considerably broadens and strengthens Medtronic's
market position and technology in the spinal and neurosurgery field," said
William W. George, Medtronic chairman and chief executive officer. "Sofamor
Danek has established itself in the leadership role by its extraordinary
customer service and exceptional products. Combined with Sofamor Danek,
Medtronic's neurological and spinal product line will be over $1 billion in
revenues next fiscal year, growing at 25 percent a year as we move into the 21st
century. Sofamor Danek's 1998 revenues are expected to approach $400 million on
a worldwide basis."

Sofamor Danek is the leader in the $850 million worldwide market for
technologies used by spine surgeons. It is estimated that more than 5 million
people suffer from debilitating back pain and that more than 275,000 surgical
procedures are performed each year. The company produces a number of products
that treat a variety of disorders of the cranium and spine, including
traumatically induced conditions, degenerative conditions, deformities and
tumors. Its product offerings include:

    --   a wide range of sophisticated internal fixation devices, including
         interbody fusion systems, and services for the distribution of
         autologous bone dowels;
    --   the Med(TM) MicroEndoscopic Discectomy System used for the surgical 
         removal of vertebral discs; and
    --   the Stealthstation(R) System which leads a family of image-guided
         surgical navigation products that precisely target operating sites for
         cranial and spinal procedures.

Among developmental products are biologics, such as bone morphogenetic proteins,
other bone growth factors, and autologous derivatives (bone paste), that enhance
healing following reconstructive procedures.

"The product lines of Medtronic and Sofamor Danek are highly complementary. By
combining the technology, service and energy of the two companies, we will be
able to develop new and better solutions more quickly and deliver these
solutions to doctors and their patients faster, more



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cost-effectively, and with better customer support. As a result, both our
customers and our shareholders will benefit," said E.R. Pickard, chairman and
chief executive officer of Sofamor Danek.

Medtronic's new neurological and spinal business will be led by John Meslow as
its president. Pickard will continue to lead Sofamor Danek, reporting to Meslow
and will eventually assume responsibility for all of Medtronic's neurosurgery
businesses including PS Medical and recently acquired Midas Rex. Other
businesses reporting to Meslow include neurostimulation, drug delivery, and
functional stimulation and diagnostics.

"The spinal and cranial surgery businesses represent a major new growth platform
for Medtronic that will complement our existing growth platforms in
neurosurgery, neurostimulation and drug delivery," said Meslow.

Medtronic said that, aside from one-time transaction-related charges, the merger
will be neutral to current year earnings and add several cents a share in FY
2000, becoming increasingly accretive in the following years. The transaction is
structured as a tax-free pooling of interests.

The $115 per share acquisition price stated above applies if Medtronic's average
common stock price for the 15 NYSE trading days ending on and including the
second NYSE trading day preceding the Sofamor Danek shareholders' meeting on the
merger is between $69.63 and $56.97 per share. If such average is within this
range, then each Sofamor Danek share will be exchanged for Medtronic shares with
a value of $115. If such average Medtronic stock price is equal to or greater
than $69.63 then each Sofamor Danek share will be exchanged for 1.65159
Medtronic shares, and if it is equal to or less than $56.97 then each Sofamor
Danek share will be exchanged for 2.01861 Medtronic shares.

The transaction is subject to Sofamor Danek shareholder approval, regulatory
approvals and other customary closing conditions. The directors of the company
have agreed to vote unanimously in favor of the merger.

Headquartered in Memphis, TN, Sofamor Danek Group, Inc., employs about 1,200 and
operates manufacturing facilities in Warsaw, IN; Broomfield, CO; West Palm
Beach, FL; and Rang-du-Fliers, France. Its Internet address is
www.sofamordanek.com.

Medtronic, Inc., headquartered in Minneapolis, is the world's leading medical
technology company specializing in implantable and interventional therapies. Its
Internet address is www.medtronic.com.

Any statements made about the company's anticipated financial results are
forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties such as those
described in the company's Annual Report on Form 10K for the year ended April
30, 1998. Actual results may differ materially from anticipated results.



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