Introducing Maximum Modular Imaging, a New Ultrasound Platform Based on Advanced ASIC Technology
BOTHELL, WA, April 9, 2003 - Sonosite, Inc. (NASDAQ: SONO), the leader in point of care ultrasound, today announced the introduction of its new TITAN high-resolution modular ultrasound system. The TITAN system provides health care professionals with state of the art, high-resolution imaging wherever needed for responsive, more rapid patient care. The TITAN system's modular design includes three major benefits: stationary and mobile usage; point-of-care connectivity; and a flexible, cost-effective path that enables users to acquire new components and software applications. This new ultrasound modularity is based on the next generation of Sonosite's proprietary ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) technology.
The TITAN system with its new platform, Maximum Modular Imaging, combines the high performance of cart-based systems with the speed, flexibility and durability of mobile ultrasound devices. The TITAN system delivers point-of-care connectivity through its Mobile Docking System, allowing the user to connect to the health care provider's internal and external information systems. The TITAN system modularity enables the user to acquire selectively a planned series of new features in hardware, software and chipsets as introduced by Sonosite. These new capabilities can be easily and economically added through an industry standard flashcard or through new or upgraded interchangeable hardware.
"The TITAN modular system allows customers to re-think how they implement ultrasound in patient care," said Kevin M. Goodwin, president and CEO of Sonosite. "Since Sonosite's inception, we have been driven to understand how health care professionals want to use ultrasound. The TITAN system was inspired by feedback from over 9,000 customers and 15 usability studies. The modular design was in response to our customers" requests to improve space utilization, practice workflow patterns and the cost performance of ultrasound ownership."
The foundation of MMI is an evolution of Sonosite's proprietary ASIC technology, which integrates millions of transistors onto a single chip. In contrast to conventional ultrasound machines that may require 10-20 circuit boards, MMI relies on three ASIC chips housed on a single circuit board. This miniaturization enables mobile usage, connectivity and the flexible acquisition of new capabilities.
"We have been using Sonosite systems since 1999,' said Peter L. Cooperberg, M.D., FRCP (C) Professor of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Chief of Radiology, SPH Vancouver, B.C. 'The TITAN system should further expand the capabilities of point-of-care ultrasound with uncompromising performance in diagnostic imaging: advanced image quality, features, image storage, connectivity and design and ergonomics."
"Sonosite is the only ultrasound company that has made a major effort to tailor their machines to the unique needs of their users," Dan Price, MD, Director, Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, MCMC - Highland General Hospital, Oakland, California. "I'm impressed by the extent to which Sonosite listened to leaders as well as everyday users in our field."
Dr. Price continued, "The enhanced image quality and larger, high resolution screen are the most important advances from an ED perspective. Fortunately, Sonosite was still able to preserve the small footprint of the system, so it can easily be maneuvered into crowded patient rooms. The three transducer ports will improve efficiency, and they made it really easy to offload images and video sequences for presentation and quality control. Bravo."
Kevin Goodwin added, "The TITAN system brings the power of digital broadband ultrasound imaging to health care professionals for improved care in a variety of clinical environments. We expect that the TITAN system will provide Sonosite an opportunity to further compete in the $3 billion worldwide ultrasound market."
About the TITAN system:
Please visit Sonosite's website at https://www.sonosite.com to view an online virtual demonstration of the TITAN system.
BOTHELL, WA, April 9, 2003 - Sonosite, Inc. (NASDAQ: SONO), the leader in point of care ultrasound, today announced the introduction of its new TITAN high-resolution modular ultrasound system. The TITAN system provides health care professionals with state of the art, high-resolution imaging wherever needed for responsive, more rapid patient care. The TITAN system's modular design includes three major benefits: stationary and mobile usage; point-of-care connectivity; and a flexible, cost-effective path that enables users to acquire new components and software applications. This new ultrasound modularity is based on the next generation of Sonosite's proprietary ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) technology.
The TITAN system with its new platform, Maximum Modular Imaging, combines the high performance of cart-based systems with the speed, flexibility and durability of mobile ultrasound devices. The TITAN system delivers point-of-care connectivity through its Mobile Docking System, allowing the user to connect to the health care provider's internal and external information systems. The TITAN system modularity enables the user to acquire selectively a planned series of new features in hardware, software and chipsets as introduced by Sonosite. These new capabilities can be easily and economically added through an industry standard flashcard or through new or upgraded interchangeable hardware.
"The TITAN modular system allows customers to re-think how they implement ultrasound in patient care," said Kevin M. Goodwin, president and CEO of Sonosite. "Since Sonosite's inception, we have been driven to understand how health care professionals want to use ultrasound. The TITAN system was inspired by feedback from over 9,000 customers and 15 usability studies. The modular design was in response to our customers" requests to improve space utilization, practice workflow patterns and the cost performance of ultrasound ownership."
The foundation of MMI is an evolution of Sonosite's proprietary ASIC technology, which integrates millions of transistors onto a single chip. In contrast to conventional ultrasound machines that may require 10-20 circuit boards, MMI relies on three ASIC chips housed on a single circuit board. This miniaturization enables mobile usage, connectivity and the flexible acquisition of new capabilities.
"We have been using Sonosite systems since 1999,' said Peter L. Cooperberg, M.D., FRCP (C) Professor of Radiology, University of British Columbia, Chief of Radiology, SPH Vancouver, B.C. 'The TITAN system should further expand the capabilities of point-of-care ultrasound with uncompromising performance in diagnostic imaging: advanced image quality, features, image storage, connectivity and design and ergonomics."
"Sonosite is the only ultrasound company that has made a major effort to tailor their machines to the unique needs of their users," Dan Price, MD, Director, Emergency Ultrasound Fellowship, MCMC - Highland General Hospital, Oakland, California. "I'm impressed by the extent to which Sonosite listened to leaders as well as everyday users in our field."
Dr. Price continued, "The enhanced image quality and larger, high resolution screen are the most important advances from an ED perspective. Fortunately, Sonosite was still able to preserve the small footprint of the system, so it can easily be maneuvered into crowded patient rooms. The three transducer ports will improve efficiency, and they made it really easy to offload images and video sequences for presentation and quality control. Bravo."
Kevin Goodwin added, "The TITAN system brings the power of digital broadband ultrasound imaging to health care professionals for improved care in a variety of clinical environments. We expect that the TITAN system will provide Sonosite an opportunity to further compete in the $3 billion worldwide ultrasound market."
About the TITAN system:
- Full diagnostic capability. High quality imaging; color power Doppler (CPD); pulsed wave (PW) Doppler; Tissue Harmonic Imaging (THI); M-mode; SiteLink DICOM; on-board DICOM .
- Versatility of two systems in one. The TITAN system can be used in its Mobile Docking System or as a mobile point-of-care solution using the mini-Dock.
- Rugged design. Durability that meets the demands of mobile applications including potential droppage and substantial wear and tear.
- Flexibility. Upgrade path for new capabilities, including Triple Transducer Connect (TTC) that allows for rapid application changes.
- Reliable, fast technology. State-of-the-art ASIC based system cold boots in seconds and offers highly consistent performance.
- Convenient industry standard flashcard storage. High capacity for on-board information storage.
Please visit Sonosite's website at https://www.sonosite.com to view an online virtual demonstration of the TITAN system.
About Sonosite
Sonosite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, with an installed base of more than 20,000 systems. The Company, headquartered near Seattle, Washington is represented by eight subsidiaries and a global distribution netwok in over 75 countries. Sonosite's small, lightweight systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high performance ultrasound to the point of patient care. The Company employs approximately 450 people worldwide.