Tapping Spinal Profits

Net sales for Kyphon (Nasdaq: KYPH) in the third quarter totaled $79.0 million, an increase of 42% over net sales in third quarter of 2004. Earnings per diluted share for the quarter increased 86% to $0.26 compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.14 for the same period a year ago. Kyphon develops and markets medical devices designed to restore spinal function using minimally invasive technologies. The company's KyphX line of products are used in Balloon Kyphoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure to treat spinal fractures caused by osteoporosis or cancer.