Utah Medical Products, Inc. ("UTMD" or "the Company") is in the business of producing cost-effective healthcare industry devices that are predominantly proprietary, disposable and for hospital use. Success depends on 1) recognizing needs of clinicians and patients, 2) rapidly designing or acquiring economical solutions that gain regulatory approval, 3) reliably producing products that meet those clinical needs, and then 4) selling through
a) UTMD's own direct channels into markets where the Company enjoys an established reputation and has a critical mass of sales and support resources, or
b) establishing relationships with other medical companies that have the proper resources to effectively introduce and support the Company's products.

UTMD's success in providing reliable solutions comes from its proven ability to integrate a number of engineering and technical disciplines in electronics, software, mechanical packaging, instrumentation, plastics processing and materials. The resulting proprietary products represent significant incremental improvements over preexisting clinical tools. UTMD's experience is that, in the case of labor-saving devices, the improvement in cost-effectiveness of clinical procedures also leads to an improvement in overall healthcare including lower risk of complications. UTMD markets a broad range of medical devices used in critical care areas, especially the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the labor and delivery (L&D) department in hospitals, as well as products sold to outpatient clinics and physician's offices.

The opportunity to apply solutions to recognized needs results from an excellent core of practicing clinicians who introduce ideas to the Company, and key employees who are both clinical applications savvy and development engineering adept.

UTMD's products are sold directly to end users in the U.S. domestic market by the Company's own direct sales representatives and independent manufacturers' representatives. In addition, some of UTMD's products are sold through specialty distributors, national hospital distribution companies and other medical device manufacturers. Internationally, products are sold through other medical device companies and through independent medical products distributors. UTMD has representation in all major developed countries with approximately 100 international distributors.

Negative factors that may adversely impact future performance include managed care reforms or hospital group buying agreements that may limit physicians' ability to choose certain products or procedures, new products introduced by other companies that displace UTMD's products, new product regulatory approval delays, changes in the Company's relationships with distribution partners, and loss of key personnel.

UTMD was formed as a Utah corporation in 1978. UTMD publicly raised equity capital one time in 1982. In 1995, Utah Medical Products Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary located in Ireland, was formed to establish an international manufacturing capability. In 1997, UTMD purchased Columbia Medical, Inc. (CMI), a Redmond, Oregon company specializing in silicone injection molding, assembly and marketing vacuum-assisted obstetrical delivery systems. In July, 1998 UTMD acquired the neonatal product line of Gesco International, a subsidiary of Bard Access Systems and C.R. Bard, Inc. On March 8, 2000, UTMD returned to the Nasdaq Stock Market after trading on the New York Stock Exchange for about 3 years. The Company was previously listed on Nasdaq for 14 years. The Company's corporate offices are located at 7043 South 300 West, Midvale, Utah 84047 USA. The corporate telephone number is (801) 566-1200. European operations are located at Garrycastle Industrial Estate, Athlone, County Westmeath, Ireland. The telephone number in Ireland is (90) 647-3932. CMI's mailing address is 1830 S.E. 1st, Redmond, Oregon 97756. The phone number in Oregon is (541) 548-7738.

To assist the physician in assessing fetal well-being, changes in fetal heart rate (FHR) in conjunction with trends in intrauterine pressure are often electronically monitored. UTMD's intrauterine pressure (IUP) catheter product line provides for clinician choices from a traditional fluid-filled system to INTRAN(R) PLUS, the most widely accepted transducer-tipped system. In addition, adjunct FHR electrodes, leg plates, belly bands and chart paper are offered by UTMD to complete a package of fetal monitoring supplies. UTMD's IUP catheters include:

- IUP-075 and UTMD's other custom fluid-filled catheter kits utilize a saline-filled catheter that is placed within the uterine cavity, connected to a separate external reusable or disposable transducer. This product package, utilizing double lumen catheters, was the traditional mode of intrauterine monitoring prior to the introduction of INTRAN. An intrauterine pressure change is transmitted through the fluid column to the external pressure transducer.

- Introduced in 1987, INTRAN was the first disposable intrauterine pressure catheter that placed the pressure transducer at the pressure source within the uterine cavity. This design eliminated the complicated setup of fluid-filled systems and provided more accurate pressure waveforms. INTRAN I was discontinued in 1995 in favor of the more widely preferred INTRAN PLUS, also covered by UTMD's original INTRAN patent.

- INTRAN PLUS was introduced in 1991. The INTRAN PLUS catheter combines the transducer tip concept of INTRAN I with a refined tip design, a zero switch that allows the clinician to verify the reference of the monitor, and a dedicated amnio lumen which provides immediate access to the amniotic fluid environment which may be essential in the diagnosis and intervention of certain fetal conditions. In 1996, a viewport enhancement which allows physicians to observe amniotic fluid in a closed system was added to INTRAN PLUS. In 1997, UTMD introduced several variations to address user preferences in tip size and zero switch location.

UTMD markets disposable electrodes, catheters and accessories as outlined above, but does not currently market monitors, the electronic capital equipment that process the electrical signals. In addition to products currently offered, UTMD intends to continue to investigate and introduce tools that enhance fetal monitoring techniques, a core area of product development focus.

Vacuum-Assisted Delivery Systems (VAD).
UTMD's VAD Systems include CMI(R) patented soft silicone bell-shaped birthing cups and patented hand-held vacuum pumps which UTMD believes are the safest products available for use in vacuum-assisted operative deliveries. UTMD's patented soft silicone cup is unique in the industry. A soft bell-shaped cup design should be preferred for fetal well-being in low or outlet fetal stations with occiput anterior presentations, which should represent more than 90% of the cases where VAD is indicated. Operative vaginal deliveries using forceps or vacuum-assisted delivery systems provide knowledgeable physicians with an alternative to C-section intervention. Although there are risks associated with operative vaginal deliveries which represent about 15% of all U.S. hospital births, the procedures are generally regarded as safer for the mother, and at least as safe for the fetus, as abdominal (Cesarean) delivery in comparable clinical situations. UTMD estimates that the VAD operative approach is used for

about 8-10% of all U.S. births, with forceps continuing to lose ground as the alternative. UTMD's patented bell-shaped soft silicone TENDER TOUCH(R) cups enjoy a low reported complication rate compared to other vacuum cup designs, as evidenced by the FDA Medical Device Reporting System which reports specific names of products used in hospitals.

Other Obstetrical Tools.
AROM-COT(TM) is a finger cover with a patented prong design to rupture maternal membranes with less patient pain and anxiety. MUC-X is an aspiration device used immediately after birth to clear neonatal respiratory passages and reduce exposure to potential infections. CORDGUARD(R) is a patented product which unifies the multiple steps of clamping the neonate's cord close to the umbilicus, severing the cord without splattering blood, drawing a clean cord blood sample, and assisting in the removal of the placenta. CORDGUARD's sharpless, closed system reduces the risk of exposure to potentially infected blood, and consequently reduces the high cost of exposure treatment under OSHA and CDC guidelines. In addition, CORDGUARD facilitates obtaining neonatal blood that is otherwise hard to obtain safely and cleanly.

DELTRAN(R) PLUS
UTMD's DELTRAN blood pressure monitoring system has been adapted specifically for use in the NICU. The new streamlined version eliminates needles used for blood sampling, avoids the loss of scarce neonatal blood volume and provides a closed system that reduces the risk of infection. The system features excellent visualization of clearing volume and one-handed use.

GESCO(R)
In the third quarter of 1998, UTMD acquired the neonatal product line of Gesco International, a subsidiary of Bard Access Systems and C.R. Bard, Inc. GESCO, best known for innovative silicone catheters, gained an early distinctive reputation for its focus on the special developmental needs of tiny critically-ill babies.

A class of catheters called umbilical vessel catheters (UVC's) are specially designed for administering vital medications and fluids immediately following birth through the infant's umbilical vessel into the inferior vena cava. Because of the neonate's small size and lack of vascular development, there is no better access to vital organs. The catheters are also called umbilical artery catheters (UAC's) when placed in one of the umbilical arteries to measure blood pressure or monitor metabolic processes through blood analysis. In developing its UMBILI-CATH(TM) product line, Gesco pioneered the use of soft, biocompatible silicone catheters, helping to reduce the number of insertions required as well as other complications associated with invasive applications. UTMD has expanded the UVC product line to include catheters made from a patented thermosensitive polyurethane (Tecoflex(R)) that offers many of the flexibility and biocompatibility advantages of silicone after insertion, with the greater rigidity of polyurethane preferred by many clinicians for insertion. In addition, GESCO provides a convenient catheterization procedure tray of implements and supplies necessary to place UVC catheters, as well as perform other similar procedures.

The primary distinction of GESCO products is that they are not just cut-down or smaller versions of adult devices. For example, in the case of invasive catheters, the introducer, the soft rounded distal tip, mode of securing to the patient after insertion to avoid migration, luer locking hub with minimal dead space, number of lumens, catheter radiopaque striping for visualization, variations in catheter lengths and diameters and special packaging are all features specially designed for neonates. UTMD continues to modify product features to incorporate current neonatal nurse practitioner preferences.

The soft, biocompatible silicone catheter concept had important advantages in other applications including peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICC lines), enteral feeding tubes, urinary drainage catheters, and chest drainage tubes. GESCO developed and marketed initial versions of all of these neonatal products. In order to keep pace with the trend of caring for smaller babies, UTMD has added smaller diameter versions of its URI-CATH(R) and NUTRI-CATH(R) products. In 2000, UTMD gained FDA premarketing clearance of a new PICC family of products specifically designed to minimize trauma to the critically ill neonate, named PICC-NATE(R). The PICC-NATE product line was designed with the input of experienced neonatal nurse practitioners for use as a long-term indwelling catheter system for single-use, therapeutic central venous infusion of drug solutions, blood products or other fluids and for blood sampling. The soft, strong silicone PICC-Nate comes in two diameter sizes, two types of venipuncture introducers, two hub configurations and the option of an integral stylet that aides insertion. In early 2003, UTMD added a Tecoflex polyurethane version that offers many of the flexibility and biocompatibility advantages of silicone after insertion, with the greater rigidity of polyurethane preferred by many clinicians for insertion.

Other GESCO specialty products include a disposable peritoneal dialysis set that is a pre-assembled, sterile, closed system, called DIALY-NATE(R); a patented silicone oral protection device used to prevent palatal soft tissue injury by orotracheal tubes, called PALA-NATE(R); and a lumbar sampling kit with a tiny, specially-beveled needle for obtaining cerebral spinal fluid samples, called MYELO-NATE(R).

GESCO's first patented product, HEMO-NATE(R), is a disposable filter designed to remove microaggregates from stored blood prior to transfusion into a neonate where any deficiency can have an overwhelmingly negative impact on a neonate's chances for survival, given an under-developed vasculature and small total blood volume. In 2001, UTMD introduced a new filter and an improved blood bag spike for Hemo-Nate, and a needleless version.

In 2004, UTMD will continue to improve and expand its neonatal product line, seeking to reinforce a reputation as having the most developmentally-friendly NICU specialty products in the medical device industry. In addition to products already offered and being developed internally, UTMD will look to expand sales through distribution arrangements with other manufacturers, or through selective acquisitions.

UTMD's LETZ System includes patented disposable electrodes, the patented FINESSE(R) electrosurgical generator, and other miscellaneous components. A disposable loop electrode used to excise the tissue specimen is a pencil-like tube with a thin tungsten wire loop attached. The loop is available in varying

sizes and includes a Safe-T-Gauge(R) that can be positioned so the physician can accurately colposcopically monitor the amount of tissue being excised. UTMD continues to augment its specialty electrodes. For example, the Company introduced a patented conization electrode for deep endocervical disease called C-LETZ(R), designed to limit the removal of healthy tissue margins that might compromise adequate cervical function. UTMD also will continue to provide adapters and other components which allow its market-leading specialty electrodes to be used with other manufacturers' electrosurgical generators. The FINESSE electrosurgical generator is the only generator on the market that contains an integral smoke evacuator, required to filter smoke and vapors that contain potentially hazardous particulate material produced during electrosurgery.

FINESSE(R) Generator; Specialty Loop, Ball, and Needle Electrodes; FILTRESSE(R) Evacuator; Other Specialty Electrodes; Other Supplies and Gynecologic Tools.
UTMD has FDA clearance to market its electrosurgical system and tools for use in general surgery applications, including dermatology, plastic surgery and otolaryngology. UTMD recently introduced a new product line of ultra-fine tipped microdissection needles, called OptiMicro(TM) Needles. The new electrosurgical needles are particularly useful in plastic and reconstructive surgery applications. FILTRESSE is a stand-alone surgical smoke filtration system that combines high filtration efficiency, low cost and convenient use in a surgical office setting. Other electrosurgery tools and accessories include disposable electrosurgical pens, dispersive pads, footswitches, filter packs, speculums, retractors, forceps, tenacula and hooks. UTMD acquired the distribution rights to a unique reusable four-way expander system which facilitates access to, and visualization of, the cervix, eliminating the need for less effective specula and lateral retractors.

EPITOME(R)
EPITOME is a patented electrosurgical scalpel which delivers precise performance in incision and excision with hemostasis while minimizing thermal side effects. Where rapid yet precise dissection of dense tissue is necessary, such as in mammaplasty or abdominoplasty, EPITOME has no peer. An independent study concludes that the EPITOME scalpel provides a significant improvement over older devices in wound healing and patient comfort. EPITOME allows a rapid incision without countertraction, yielding limited morbidity, less post-surgical pain and cosmetically superior results. EPITOME is useful where minimization of thermal tissue injury is important but control of bleeding needed. A patented bendable version of EPITOME with a smaller active electrode was introduced in 1998. Designed to significantly reduce the chance of tissue burns due to inadvertent electrode contact and where a smaller, bent scalpel tip is needed, the bendable EPITOME is of particular value, e.g., to thoracic surgeons in harvesting the internal mammary artery during coronary artery bypass surgery, as well as to otolaryngologists for tonsillectomies.

LIBERTY(R) System
LIBERTY is a device for the conservative treatment and effective control of urinary incontinence in women. UTMD believes that LIBERTY is the easiest-to-use, most cost effective incontinence treatment available that yields a therapeutic effect, not just a cover-up. LIBERTY consists of a battery operated electrical stimulation unit and an intravaginal electrode probe. This physiotherapy technique, which can be done in the privacy of the home, involves passive strengthening of the periurethral muscles. Pulsed, low voltage, high frequency current is applied primarily to the pudendal neuromuscular tissue causing the pelvic area muscles to contract, leading to better muscle tone. Because electrical stimulation has no known adverse side effects, LIBERTY provides women suffering from mild to moderate incontinence an effective, lower cost and lower risk alternative to more traumatic treatments such as surgery and drug therapy. Since HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration) now called CMS (Center for Medicaid/ Medicare Services) decided in late 2000 to allow reimbursement for electrical stimulation devices, adoption of Liberty has substantially increased.

PATHFINDER PLUS(TM)
PATHFINDER PLUS is a proprietary endoscopic irrigation device that allows a uro/gyn surgeon to precisely irrigate with the same hand that controls the endoscope, eliminating the need for a separate assistant to irrigate without visualization.

ENDOCURETTE(TM)
In cooperation with Mayo Clinic, UTMD developed an advanced curette for uterine endometrial tissue sampling in the doctor's office. The sampling procedure is intended primarily to rule out precancer or cancerous change of the uterus in premenopausal women with abnormal uterine bleeding, or women with postmenopausal bleeding. The device is part of a class of catheters designed to be used without dilitation of the cervix and without general anesthetic. The inherent weakness of this type of device, which is related to its small size, is that it may not remove enough tissue of the endometrium for an accurate histologic assessment. The patented tip of the ENDOCURETTE was designed to obtain a more thorough tissue specimen without the need for dilitation, and without an increase in patient discomfort.

LUMIN(R)
LUMIN(R) is a patented tool developed by UTMD for reliably and safely manipulating the uterus in gynecological laparoscopic procedures. LUMIN combines the strength, range of motion and versatility of the higher end reusable instruments with the lower cost and cleanliness of the inexpensive less functional disposable instruments presently on the market, while at the same time reducing the number of tools needed to move and secure the uterus.

Blood Pressure Monitoring:
DELTRAN(R) Disposable Pressure Transducer In pressure monitoring, a transducer is used to convert physiological (mechanical) pressure into an electrical signal that is displayed on electronic monitoring equipment. UTMD developed, patented and is now distributing its disposable transducer as a stand-alone product, and as a component in sterile blood pressure monitoring kits through direct representatives and other medical companies in the U.S., as well as independent distributors and other medical companies internationally.

Although other large medical companies manufacture and market disposable pressure transducers ("DPTs") under rights to UTMD's technology, the Company believes that the DELTRAN DPT which it manufactures remains the standard in terms of accuracy, reliability and ease of use. UTMD has an automated assembly line which allows the Company to effectively compete with the largest suppliers on the basis of consistent quality and low manufacturing costs. Introduced in 1998, the DELTRAN PLUS provides a closed system for blood sampling, without the use of needles, reducing the risk of an unwanted infection for both the patient and the practitioner.

Pressure Monitoring Accessories, Components and Other Molded Parts.
Components included in blood pressure monitoring kit configurations include flush devices, stopcocks, fluid administration sets, caps, pressure tubing, interface cables and organizers. The Company sells similar components designed for other medical companies which incorporate UTMD's technologies and designs. DELTA-CAL(TM) is a calibration device used to check proper functioning of an arterial pressure system. In addition, UTMD sells plastic molded parts on a subcontract basis to a number of medical and non-medical companies. UTMD believes that this practice helps better utilize its investment in fixed plant and equipment.

UTMD competes on the basis of its value-added technologies and cost effective clinical solutions. UTMD believes that a number of its products are strong brands because they are recognized as clinically different. The Company's primary marketing challenge is to keep its customers focused on those differences and their important clinical benefits. Access to the clinical decision-makers is critical to the Company's success.

UTMD's specialty focus, innovation and extensive experience in its specialty are important marketing attributes which help assure its ability to successfully compete and survive in a consolidating marketplace where many suppliers are trying to degrade product differences.

For U.S. hospitals, which represent about 60% of UTMD's product sales, marketing efforts are complicated and fragmented. Although UTMD's focus is with clinicians who take responsibility for obtaining optimal patient care outcomes, other people are generally administratively responsible for hospital purchasing decisions.

UTMD believes another important success factor in the current healthcare industry is access to customers. Although the U.S. hospital supplier environment has been consolidating as a result of group purchasing organizations (GPOs), or their equivalent, establishing long term contracts with large medical device suppliers with diverse product lines in recent years, their financial relationships and true benefits for hospitals has come under increased scrutiny, both by hospitals' managements themselves and by the government. As a potential positive factor to UTMD's future performance, the increased scrutiny may lead to an understanding consistent with UTMD's belief that hospitals may not be currently saving money under many of the GPO contracts, and the longer term overall cost of care will be substantially higher, with quality of care lower, as innovative suppliers are excluded from participating in the marketplace.

The length of time and number of administrative steps required in evaluating new products for use in hospitals has grown substantially in recent years. As a potential negative factor to future performance, as UTMD introduces new products it believes are safer and more effective, it may find itself excluded from certain customers because of the existence of long term supply agreements for existing products. UTMD may also be unable to establish viable relationships with other medical companies that do have access to users but lack an interest in the Company's approach.

In the United States, UTMD sells its products primarily through its own directly employed sales force. The current network of direct representatives is employed to concentrate on select market applications for UTMD products and to provide proper customer training and support. As of March 2004, the U.S. direct sales force is comprised of both outside territory representatives operating remotely geographically, as well as inside representatives who operate by telephone. Direct representatives are trained to understand the medical procedures being performed within UTMD's clinical focus. Through the use of its one-on-one contacts with physicians and other clinicians directly involved in patient care, the direct sales force positions UTMD to gain market leadership with solutions to clinical problems. In addition to its direct representatives, UTMD utilizes third party clinical specialists to augment its training programs.

When hospital customers request it, UTMD provides its products through national distribution companies, also known as Med/Surg distributors. Sales to Med/Surg distributors currently comprise about 10% of total domestic sales. In contrast, seven years ago, national distributors and independent distributors in the U.S. represented more than 65% of UTMD's direct domestic Ob/Gyn business.

In addition to the above traditional distribution methods, UTMD encourages customers to take advantage of fast and easy direct online ordering at www.order.utahmed.com. UTMD's website provides all the convenience of e-commerce expected of other sites. UTMD's experience to date with third party Internet-based exchanges suggests that they do not warrant a significant investment of UTMD resources until customers show more interest in their use.

Additionally, UTMD sells component parts to medical companies for use with their product lines. This OEM distribution channel effort is simply maximizing utilization of manufacturing resources that are otherwise needed for UTMD's

primary business, and does not compete with or dilute UTMD's direct distribution and marketing programs.

Internationally, the Company sells its products through about 80 regional distributors and through about 20 OEMs (other medical manufacturers). The international business is driven by the initiative and resourcefulness of these distributors. UTMD's Internet website www.utahmed.com is a frequent conduit for international customer inquiries.

New product development is a key to UTMD's market identity as an innovator. Product development takes three interrelated forms: 1) improvements, enhancements and extensions of current product lines in response to clinical needs or clinician requests, 2) invention of devices that allow significantly different methods of performing medical procedures, representing a quantum improvement in safety, efficacy and/or cost of care, and 3) acquisitions of products or technology from others.

Because of UTMD's reputation as a successful innovator, its financial strength and its established clinician user base, it enjoys a substantial flow of new product ideas. Internal development, joint development, product acquisitions and licensing arrangements are all included as viable options in the investigation of opportunities. Only a small percentage of ideas survive feasibility screening. For internal development purposes, projects are assigned to a project manager who assembles an interdisciplinary, cross-functional development team. The team's objective is to have a clinically proven, manufacturable and FDA released product ready for marketing by a specific date. Approximately ten projects on the average, depending on the level of resources required, are underway at UTMD at any given time. More than 50% of assigned projects do not succeed in attaining a product that meets all of the Company's criteria. In particular, this includes a product that is highly reliable, easy to use, cost-effective, safe, useful and differentiated from the competition. Once a product is developed, tooled, fully tested and cleared for marketing by the FDA, there remains a reasonable probability it cannot be successfully marketed for any number of reasons, not the least of which is being beaten to the market by a competitor with a better solution, or not having access to users because of limitations in marketing and distribution resources or exclusionary contracts of GPOs.

UTMD's current product development projects are in three areas of focus: 1) obstetrics/ fetal monitoring, 2) neonatal intensive care, and 3) specialized procedures for the assessment and treatment of cervical/uterine disease. UTMD has had 7 patents issued in the last five years. Internal product development expenses are expected to be in the range of 1-2% of sales in 2004. In 2003, UTMD spent $288 (in thousands) on internal product development activities, or 1.1% of sales. In addition, the Company invested $120 in new technology rights which have not resulted in a marketable product yet. In 2002 and 2001, internal new product development expenses were $285 (1.0% of sales) and $364 (1.3% of sales), respectively.

At December 31, 2003, the Company had 211 employees. The average tenure of all of UTMD's employees is about eight years. The Company's continued success will depend to a large extent upon its ability to retain skilled employees. No assurances can be given that the Company will be able to retain or attract such employees in the future, although management is committed to providing an attractive environment in which creative and high achieving people wish to work.

To the best of the Company's knowledge, none of the Company's officers or directors is bound by restrictive covenants from prior employers that limit their ability to contribute to UTMD's programs. All professional employees sign a code of conduct and a confidentiality and non-compete agreement, as a condition of employment, and as consideration for receipt of stock option awards and participation in the management bonus program. All employees participate in

performance-based bonus programs. None of the Company's employees is represented by labor unions or other collective bargaining groups.

The Company owns or exclusively licenses thirty-one unexpired patents, and is the licensee of certain other technology. There can be no assurance, however, that patents will be issued with respect to any pending applications, that marketable products will result from the patents or that issued patents can be successfully defended in a patent infringement situation.

The ability of the Company to achieve critical mass in the marketplace depends in large part on the protection afforded by its patents. In cases where competitors introduce products that may infringe on UTMD's technology, the Company has an obligation to its shareholders to defend its intangible property to the extent that it can afford to do so.

In January 2002, a jury in the U.S. Federal District Court for the District of Utah rendered a verdict in favor of UTMD that the Tyco/KendalloLTP Softrans 4000 Intrauterine Pressure Catheter literally infringes UTMD's Patent No. 4,785,822 for inventions relating to a "Disposable Intracompartmental Pressure Transducer." UTMD markets the Intran(R) Plus which practices this patent. The patent infringement lawsuit had been filed in early 1997. In September 2002, the US Federal District Court issued a formal judgment awarding UTMD approximately $23 million in damages and accrued interest. Additional damages for infringing product sold by Tyco after the January verdict were to be determined by the Court at a later date. In addition, the Court issued a permanent injunction against Tyco prohibiting the manufacturing, marketing, selling and/or otherwise distributing of the 4000 Softrans IUPC for the duration of UTMD's patent. Tyco/Kendall filed an appeal to the decision. In December 2003, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld in entirety the District Court's judgment. In January 2004, UTMD received $31 million from Tyco/Kendall, including post judgment augmented damages and interest. One other patent infringement lawsuit where UTMD is plaintiff is currently pending.

As a matter of policy, UTMD has acquired and will continue to acquire the use of technology from third parties that can be synergistically combined with UTMD proprietary product ideas. During 2003, ongoing royalties included in cost of goods sold were $3 (in thousands). Other royalties have been previously paid as a lump sum, or are incorporated into the cost of supplied components which practice certain patents of third parties. Also as a matter of policy, UTMD licenses its proprietary technology to others in circumstances where licensing does not directly compete with UTMD's own marketing initiatives. During 2003, the Company received $450 in royalty income, compared to $450 in 2002 and $452 in 2001. Non-operating income remains a significant portion of UTMD's earnings. UTMD's future financial performance also depends on the marketing ability of other companies that license UTMD's technology.

UTMD's products are subject to regulation by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration ("FDA"), as well as other regulatory bodies globally. The FDA has authority to regulate the marketing, manufacturing, labeling, packaging and distribution of medical products in the U.S. In addition, requirements exist under other federal laws and under state, local and foreign statutes that may apply to the manufacturing and marketing of the Company's products.

All manufacturers of medical devices must register with the FDA and list all medical devices produced by them. The listing must be updated annually. In addition, prior to commercial distribution of devices for human use, a manufacturer must file a notice with the FDA, setting forth certain information regarding the safety and effectiveness of the device that is acceptable in content to the FDA.

Devices which are classified in Class I are subject only to the general controls concerning adulteration, misbranding, good manufacturing practices, record keeping and reporting requirements. Devices classified in Class II must, in addition, comply with performance standards promulgated by the FDA.

The Company believes all of its present products are Class I or Class II products and that the Company is in full compliance with all applicable material performance standards as well as FDA quality standards, record keeping and reporting (QSR).

In 2003 the FDA began withholding export certificates from UTMD, which action was part of an unresolved disagreement regarding the issuance of a QSR Warning Letter by FDA to UTMD in September 2001. Export certificates are non-binding letters assuring other countries that a company is in compliance with FDA regulations. The export certificates have now been withheld for many months while UTMD distributes its products in the U.S. without FDA interference. The Company strongly believes that there is no reasonable basis for this decision, and has filed two lawsuits in U.S. Federal Court, District of Utah, in an effort to rectify the situation.

In 1994, UTMD received certification of its quality system under the ISO 9001/EN 46001 standards ("ISO" stands for "International Organization of Standardization") which was maintained until December 2003. Because the ISO standards are in perpetual modification, UTMD has remained on a continuous periodic audit schedule by its independent notified body in order to stay abreast of international regulatory standards. In October 2003, UTMD's Utah facility was certified under the more stringent ISO 13485 standard for medical devices. UTMD's Ireland facility is now certified under ISO 13488. UTMD has received formal product certification allowing the use of the CE Mark (demonstrates proof of compliance with the European Community's product standards) for essentially all of its products.

Most of the components which the Company purchases from various vendors are readily available from a number of sources. Alternate sourcing of various components is continually underway. Vendors are qualified by Corporate Quality Assurance. The Company has a vendor quality monitoring program that routinely checks all incoming material for conformance to specifications.

Revenues from customers outside the U.S. in 2003 were (in thousands) $5,872 (22% of total sales), as compared to $5,735 (21% of total sales) in 2002, and $5,202 (19% of total sales) in 2001. Blood pressure monitoring products represented 67% of international sales in 2003, compared to 70% in 2002 and 67% in 2001. International Ob/Gyn and neonatal product sales were $1,930 in 2003, compared to $1,743 in 2002 and $1,718 in 2001. For financial information by geographical area, please see Notes 1,4 and 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

UTMD sees the international marketplace as one of the important elements of its growth strategy. UTMD is keenly aware that not only are international markets different from the U.S. market, but also that each country has its own set of driving influences that affects the dynamics of the nature of care given and medical devices used. In 1996 UTMD completed construction of a manufacturing facility in Athlone, Ireland. The facility offers a number of advantages: 1) from a marketing point of view, faster response to European Union customers, including a better understanding of customized needs, less costly distribution and duty-free access to over 350 million patients; 2) from a regulatory point of view, faster new product introductions; and 3) from a manufacturing point of view, reduced dependence on one manufacturing site and increased capacity at existing U.S. facilities.

As a supplier of primarily disposable products, the nature of UTMD's business necessitates being very responsive to customer orders and delivering products quickly. Virtually all direct shipments to end users are accomplished within one week of receipt of customer purchase order. Backlog shippable in less than 60 days was approximately $0.3 million as of both January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2003.

The Company's business is generally not affected by seasonal factors.

The risk of product liability lawsuits is a negative factor in UTMD's business because UTMD's products are frequently used in inherently life threatening situations to help physicians achieve a more positive outcome than what might otherwise be the case. In any lawsuit against a company where an individual plaintiff suffers a permanent physical injury, a possibility of a large award for damages exists whether or not a causal relationship exists. However, no such damages have been awarded against UTMD in its 25 year history.

UTMD is self-insured for product liability risk and reserves funds against its current performance on an ongoing basis to provide for its defense should any lawsuits be filed. The best defense the Company has is the consistent conformance of its proven safe and effective products to specifications. In the last ten years, UTMD has been named as a defendant, along with each attending physician and hospital, in four product liability lawsuits. All four were related to operative vaginal deliveries where a VAD product was used. The VADS products did conform to specifications. UTMD was ultimately dismissed as a defendant in the lawsuits, and legal costs were not material to performance. During the same period of time, no other UTMD products were the subject of a product liability lawsuit. There are currently no product lawsuits in which UTMD is a defendant.

This report contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by management based on information currently available. When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current view of the Company respecting future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties stated throughout the document. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause the forward statement not to come true as anticipated, believed, projected, expected, or intended. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, projected, estimated, expected, or intended.

General risk factors that may impact the Company's revenues include the market acceptance of competitive products, administrative practices of group purchasing organizations, obsolescence caused by new technologies, the possible introduction by competitors of new products that claim to have many of the advantages of UTMD's products at lower prices, the timing and market acceptance of UTMD's own new product introductions, UTMD's ability to efficiently and responsively manufacture its products including the possible effects of lack of performance of suppliers, success in gaining access to important global distribution channels, budgetary constraints, the timing of regulatory approvals for newly introduced products, regulatory intervention in current operations and third party reimbursement of health care costs of customers.

Risk factors, in addition to the risks outlined in the previous paragraph and elsewhere in this report that may impact the Company's assets and liabilities, as well as cash flows, include risks inherent to companies manufacturing products used in healthcare including claims resulting from the improper use of devices and other product liability claims, defense of the Company's intellectual property, productive use of assets in generating revenues, management of working capital including inventory levels required to meet delivery commitments at a minimum cost and timely collection of accounts receivable.

Additional risk factors that may affect non-operating income include the continuing viability of the Company's technology license agreements, actual cash and investment balances, asset dispositions and acquisition activities that may require external funding.