Accelerated Technology's Nucleus RTOS Helps Patients Rehabilitate at Home via Internet-Monitoring

MOBILE, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 2003--Accelerated Technology(R), the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT), today announced that its Nucleus(R) Real-Time Operating System (RTOS) was used in the development of the e-ReMedy project from Air Machine in Italy.

e-ReMedy is a telemedicine or long-distance medicine platform that enables patients requiring rehabilitation for cardiology, respiratory and orthopaedic problems to manage their related therapies at home via an Internet connection.

The overall objective of e-ReMedy is to dramatically increase the quality of the rehabilitation services provided by hospitals and rehabilitation centers to patients, while at the same time, reducing the costs incurred. A typical set-up at a patient's home might include one rehabilitation machine (bike or isotonic machine), one set of suitable medical sensors, client software directly displayed on the machine console and provisions for Internet TCP/IP connection. The infrastructure takes advantage of a number of technological advances including advanced sensors, real-time Internet connections, wireless connections, teleconferencing and decision support systems.

Accelerated Technology's Nucleus PLUS real-time kernel, Nucleus NET TCP/IP protocol stack and Nucleus GRAFIX software package have been implemented in the design and development of the electronic control board that pilots the rehabilitation machine (bike) used in the e-ReMedy project. The board provides a connection to a remote control server through the Internet. From this connection, hospital personnel can receive the patient's rehabilitation session parameters and work parameters from monitoring sensors on the patient and the bike. Examples of data include monitoring the speed and difficulty of the bike while keeping an eye on the patient's electrocardiograph (EKG) readings.

Developers at Air Machine chose the Nucleus RTOS because they needed software that was simple to use and easy to install. The Nucleus RTOS provided a royalty-free solution that let Air Machine keep from passing the incurred costs on to the customer. In particular, Air Machine developers requested Nucleus software because it could utilize the present protocols in their embedded application and they would not have to rewrite existing source code. Additionally, the Nucleus RTOS was selected because it gave developers a set of networking and graphics packages already working for their target platform, the Hitachi SH4 processor.

"We needed a reliable RTOS that had a proven reputation in the medical industry. It was also important for the software to be provided with source and without royalty fees," said Sebastiano Zannoli, MIS director, Air Machine. "Accelerated Technology's Nucleus RTOS gave us everything we needed to develop the e-ReMedy project in record time."

"Nucleus software has been the foundation for many critical medical applications and we are pleased to be able to contribute to the e-ReMedy project," said Robert Day, director of marketing for the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics. "e-ReMedy is a telemedicine platform that can benefit all recipients of rehabilitation with better quality services and reduced hospitalization periods and rehabilitation costs. We are happy that Nucleus software plays such an important role in this application and look forward to being a part of e-ReMedy's success in the future."

Availability and Pricing

Nucleus embedded software is licensed with source code and without royalty fees. Available now, licenses for Nucleus PLUS start at $12,495, licenses for Nucleus NET start at $14,995 and licenses for Nucleus GRAFIX start at $14,995. For more information, please contact Accelerated Technology at 800/468-6853 or info@acceleratedtechnology.com.

For information about the e-ReMedy project, please visit www.airmachine.it or contact Mr. Sebastiano Zannoli at (+39) 0547-416803 or e-mail at sebastiano.zannoli@airmachine.it.

About Mentor Graphics

Mentor Graphics Corporation (Nasdaq:MENT) is a world leader in electronic hardware and software design solutions, providing products, consulting services and award-winning support for the world's most successful electronics and semiconductor companies. Established in 1981, the company reported revenues over the last 12 months of about $600 million and employs approximately 3,500 people worldwide. Corporate headquarters are located at 8005 S.W. Boeckman Road, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070-7777; Silicon Valley headquarters are located at 1001 Ridder Park Drive, San Jose, California 95131-2314. World Wide Web site: www.mentor.com.

Accelerated Technology, the Embedded Systems Division of Mentor Graphics Corporation, is located in Mobile, Alabama with sales offices and distributors worldwide. By providing embedded systems developers with a focus on service, well-documented source code and industry leading non-royalty based Real-Time Operating Systems (RTOS) software, AT's RTOS software shortens time-to-market and provides a complete solution for engineers. For more information, please visit www.acceleratedtechnology.com or email us at info@acceleratedtechnology.com.

Mentor Graphics and Accelerated Technology are registered trademarks and Nucleus is a trademark of Mentor Graphics Corporation. All other company or product names are the registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Mentor Graphics/Accelerated Technology
             Jennifer Whiddon, 251/661-5770 ext 5032
             jennifer_whiddon@mentor.com
             or
             Mentor Graphics
             Suzanne Graham, 503/685-7789
             suzanne_graham@mentor.com