Exhibit 99.1
Form 8-K
August 10, 2004
Viking Systems, Inc.
File No. 000-49636
August 10, 2004 01:13 PM US Eastern Timezone
Viking Systems, Inc. Appoints Dr. Nathan Harrison to Board of Directors
BIOWIRE2K
LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 10, 2004--
Medical Products Company Continues Building Strong Board Following Close of
Key Product Acquisition
Viking Systems, Inc. (Pink Sheets:VKSY), a medical products company focused on
integrated solutions for the digital surgical environment, today announced the
appointment of Dr. Nathan J. Harrison to its Board of Directors. Dr. Harrison,
currently the Medical Director of Dunhill Marketing and Insurance Inc., will be
instrumental to Viking's clinical development strategy and in the formation of
the Company's Clinical Advisory Board (CAB).
"Dr. Harrison brings a great deal of experience on both the clinical and,
business sides of today's complex and rapidly changing surgical environment
stated Thomas B. Marsh, President and Chairman of Viking Systems, Inc. "As early
adopter of laparoscopic surgery, he is the ideal candidate to help us implement
our clinical strategies and our CAB. Dr. Harrison's clinical experience in OBGYN
is also of great value to us as Viking continues to," consider additional
business acquisitions and technology alliances. We feelan it is important to
have a medical practitioner with an active voice on our Board and we look
forward to Dr. Harrison's involvement and energy as we continue to build our
organization."
Dr. Harrison's Board appointment follows that of Ronald Walrod, CEO of JMAR
Technology, as well as the close of Viking's acquisition of Vista Medical
Technologies' visualization technology business. Now Viking's Vision Systems
Group, these products are marketed for use during minimally invasive surgery
(MIS) across a broad spectrum of laparoscopic procedures. Dr. Harrison trained
under Dr. Melvin Cohen, a pioneer of laparoscopic surgery in the United States.
Dr. Harrison has been the Medical Director of Dunhill Marketing and Insurance,
Inc. since retiring from clinical practice in 1999. He joined
Obstetrics/Gynecology Associates Medical Group, Inc. in 1977 and was President
from 1981 to 1999. Dr. Harrison also served as Chief of Staff, Chairman of
Obstetrics and Gynecology and as a Director of Sharp Memorial Hospital. He also
served as a Director of Sharp Health Care and Sharp Community Medical Group all
in San Diego. Prior to this, he was a Flight Surgeon in the US Army. He has been
a member of the Physicians Advisory Committee for Prudential Insurance, CIGNA
Insurance and Aetna/US Health, as well as several medical societies. Dr.
Harrison earned his M.D. from University of Illinois College of Medicine.
About Viking Systems, Inc.
Viking Systems, Inc. (Pink Sheets:VKSY), is actively positioning to be a market
leader in bringing integrated solutions to the digital surgical environment. The
business is developing a portfolio of targeted medical technologies and services
that serve the current and emerging needs of the digital healthcare network. The
company's mission is to deliver integrated information, visualization, and
control solutions to the surgical team, enhancing their capability and
performance in minimally invasive surgery (MIS) and complex surgical procedures.
Viking Systems is building its solutions portfolio through product development,
targeted acquisitions, and a global network of business alliances. The company
established the Vision Systems Group in Westborough, MA with the acquisition of
Vista Medical Technologies, Inc.'s proprietary 3-dimensional surgical
visualization business and digital platform for surgical information delivery
(Infomatix(TM)). Other acquisition targets currently include optics, digital
imaging, sensors, surgical robotics, and image management products or companies.
The company is headquartered in La Jolla, CA. For more information, please visit
the company's website at http://www.vikingsystems.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This current report contains certain forward-looking statements and any
statements contained in this current report that are not statements of
historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting
the foregoing, words such as "may," "will," "expect," "believe," "anticipate,"
"estimate" or "continue" or comparable terminology are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. These statements by their nature involve substantial
risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a
variety of factors, many of which are not within Viking's control. These factors
include, but are not limited to, economic conditions generally and in the
markets in which Viking may participate, competition within Viking's markets and
failure by Viking to successfully develop business relationships.
Contacts
Viking Systems, Inc.
Thomas B. Marsh
858-456-6608
tmarsh@vikingsystems.com
or
Townsend Inc. for Viking
Kimberly Palmatier or James Forte
858-457-4888
kpalmatier@townsendinc.com
jforte@townsendinc.com
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