BOTHELL, WA - October 27, 2008 - Sonosite, Inc. (Nasdaq: SONO), the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound for point of care medicine, announced today the introduction of SonoGT™ Global Targeted technology, an advance that capitalizes on the power of the M-Turbo platform to drive a new level of color flow imaging, wireless connectivity and workflow integration for anesthesia, emergency medicine, critical care and other acute point-of-care markets. "SonoGT technology demonstrates the intrinsic capabilities of the M-Turbo system architecture to address our global, multiple point-of-care markets with targeted solutions," said Kevin M. Goodwin, Sonosite President and CEO. "This advance is aimed at increasing imaging capabilities and clinical productivity and includes a wide range of new technologies and options." The company plans to begin customer shipments of new M-Turbo systems with SonoGT technology in the fourth quarter. Customers can separately purchase SonoGT technology and upgrade existing M-Turbo systems via an easy software download from a USB thumb drive. The new SonoGT technology platform offers the following capabilities: Color Performance
- ColorHD™ Technology - A proprietary, color Doppler algorithm that harnesses the power of the M-Turbo system's digital signal processor to increase color performance, sensitivity and frame rates. Available on all transducers, ColorHD technology works in parallel with multiple M-Turbo algorithms, including SonoHD™ imaging technology, to provide increased diagnostic information and better visualization of color flow, particularly in low flow states. ColorHD technology also comes with a variable sector size for the P10x/8-4 MHz and the P21x/5-1 MHz phased array transducers for increased frame rates during cardiac imaging.
Wireless Solutions
- SonoRemote™ Control - A new accessory enabled by the SonoGT technology platform untethers the clinician from the ultrasound system during procedures to increase ergonomic comfort and is expected to be very useful in sterile field procedures. Based on Bluetooth® wireless technology, the SonoRemote control can operate within a sterile bag or sheath and can be used to adjust system controls from within a radius of 10 meters. Sonosite plans to begin shipping this option in the first quarter of 2009.
- SonoRoam™ Technology - Using 802.11b/g technology, SonoRoam technology enables wireless image transfer from the M-Turbo system to a PACS system via DICOM® and to a personal computer via Sonosite's SiteLink™ so that clinicians can quickly retrieve the information from any location. Wireless connectivity is increasingly viewed as a critical component to reduce medical errors and speed time to diagnosis in a portable ultrasound system.
Workflow Integration
- DICOM Storage Commit and DICOM Modality Performed Procedure Step have been added to the M-Turbo system to complete the IHE profile (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise) Scheduled Workflow (SWF) Integration Profile. This facilitates seamless clinical integration of ordering, scheduling, image acquisition, storage, viewing and billing of patient procedures.
- Patient Management - Patient demographics can now be entered before, during or after the exam. This allows flexibility in getting the procedure completed in time-critical situations where documentation is secondary to that of the procedure itself. DICOM Multi-Modality Worklist (MWL) queries can be made to the hospital information network to gain quick access to patient scheduling for ultrasound and non-ultrasound procedures.
- New USB Bar Code Reader - This accessory allows clinicians to quickly and accurately enter patient information and update exam information prior to its entry into the patient record. Sonosite's bar code reader now is powered through a USB port freeing AC power for another device.
- New Exam Types
- Ophthalmic Exam - The L25x/13-6 MHz transducer offers an ophthalmic exam setting for evaluation of globe rupture, intraocular foreign bodies, and retinal detachment.
- TCD and Orbital Exam - The P21x/5-1 MHz transducer is optimized for assessment of intracranial blood flow and structures.