HB Hillenbrand Ind

BATESVILLE, Ind., Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. (NYSE:HB) today announced its Hill-Rom subsidiary, a leading global provider of patient care environment and process solutions, has signed a license agreement with Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (NYSE:KCI). to develop and manufacture a therapeutic support surface for Hill-Rom's VersaCare(R) and TotalCare(R) Bed Systems. "We want our customers to have access to a variety of support surface options that they can use on their VersaCare(R) and TotalCare(R) bed systems," said Jeff Kao, president of North America Acute Care for Hill-Rom. "Agreements with companies like KCI will help us provide a greater choice of surfaces that will best meet the therapeutic needs of patients." The VersaCare(R) bed system is a full-featured hospital bed designed to help deliver effective wound therapy, and improved outcomes for patients and their caregivers in acute care environments. It is equipped with features to meet a variety of patient and caregiver needs, such as low bed height and LowChair(R) positioning for easier and safer exit and entry, FlexAfoot(TM) mechanism to help keep patients in position within the bed, Turn Assist options, IntelliDrive(R) power-assist transport system, and an Active Integrated Response(R) treatment mattress. The TotalCare(R) therapy system is designed for use in the intensive care environment and promotes total progressive mobility to assist patients through increasing levels of mobility. The bed features innovations such as Continuous Lateral Rotation Therapy, used when a patient is immobile, and then provides features such as Preliminary Tilt Table, FullChair(R) Position and Stand Assist with Chair Egress for assisting patients to standing positions. ABOUT HILLENBRAND INDUSTRIES, INC. Hillenbrand Industries is organized into two operating companies serving the health care and funeral services industries. Hill-Rom is a leading worldwide manufacturer and provider of medical technologies and related services for the health care industry, including patient support systems, non-invasive therapeutic products for a variety of acute and chronic medical conditions, medical equipment rentals, and workflow information technology solutions. Hill-Rom's comprehensive product and service offerings are used by health care providers across the health care continuum in hospitals, extended care facilities and home care settings to enhance the safety and quality of patient care. Hill-Rom ... enhancing outcomes for patients and their caregivers. Batesville Casket Company is a leader in the North American death care industry through the sale of funeral services products, including burial caskets, cremation caskets, containers and urns, selection room display fixturing and other personalization and memorialization products. Batesville Casket Company ... helping families honor the lives of those they love. http://www.hillenbrand.com/ DATASOURCE: Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. CONTACT: Investors, Blair A. (Andy) Rieth, Jr., Vice President, Investor Relations, Corporate Communications & Global Brand Development, +1-812-931-2199, ; or Media, Lauren Green-Caldwell, Director, Corporate Communications & Public Relations, +1-812-934-8692, ; both of Hillenbrand Industries, Inc. Web site: http://www.hillenbrand.com/

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