Hand Carried Ultrasound System Is Honored In the "Facilities and Systems for Medical Institutions" Category BOTHELL, WA - November 18, 2005 - Sonosite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, today announced that its MicroMaxx ultrasound system has won a 2005 Good Design Award (G-mark) in Japan. As one of 20 winning products in the category of "Facilities and Systems for Medical Institutions," the MicroMaxx system can display the G-Mark, a widely recognized label of design excellence in Japan and by designers worldwide.
Sponsored by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO), a non-profit organization established by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the annual competition has issued Good Design Awards for the past 50 years. The mission of the awards is to recognize those products that are expected to enrich peoples' lives through innovative design that advances society. Screening for this year's awards was conducted from July to September by a jury of designers, architects and others who represent the world of Japanese design and are at the forefront of their respective fields.
Of the total 1,158 products receiving a 2005 Good Design award, 11 were from the U.S. In making the award, the jury noted the following on the Good Design Awards website, "The MicroMaxx style displays creativity that challenges the norm. It is definitely a product that gives a positive direction to the future development of high tech mobile medical devices." The jury further noted, "The MicroMaxx system is recognized for making it possible for doctors to visit patients at their homes thereby significantly reducing the burden on the patients." The jury evaluation as cited on the same website included the following:
About the MicroMaxx System
Weighing less than 3.7 kg and the size of a notebook, the MicroMaxx system delivers image resolution and performance comparable to costly, conventional cart-based ultrasound systems weighing approximately 100 kg. This unprecedented power in a hand-carried configuration provides caregivers with unmatched flexibility and efficiency in utilizing ultrasound in both hospital and office-based settings, as well as out in the field.
The MicroMaxx system and its transducers are designed to withstand real-world use, including being dropped onto a hard surface and continuing to function. Sonosite's proven history of durability and reliability, and the high level of integration of its third generation ASIC microchip technology has resulted in an industry first - the MicroMaxx system and most of its transducers come with a five-year warranty, significantly reducing the cost of owning advanced imaging equipment in any user setting.
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 network 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 470 people worldwide. Sonosite Japan KK (www.sonosite.com.jp), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonosite, headquartered in Tokyo, provides customer service, quality assurance, sales support and direct sales in Japan.
Sponsored by the Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization (JIDPO), a non-profit organization established by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the annual competition has issued Good Design Awards for the past 50 years. The mission of the awards is to recognize those products that are expected to enrich peoples' lives through innovative design that advances society. Screening for this year's awards was conducted from July to September by a jury of designers, architects and others who represent the world of Japanese design and are at the forefront of their respective fields.
Of the total 1,158 products receiving a 2005 Good Design award, 11 were from the U.S. In making the award, the jury noted the following on the Good Design Awards website, "The MicroMaxx style displays creativity that challenges the norm. It is definitely a product that gives a positive direction to the future development of high tech mobile medical devices." The jury further noted, "The MicroMaxx system is recognized for making it possible for doctors to visit patients at their homes thereby significantly reducing the burden on the patients." The jury evaluation as cited on the same website included the following:
- The design concept is superior.
- It shows a high level of solving the problems facing the user.
- It conveys versatility and a high degree of functionality in an easily understandable way.
- Consideration has been given to maintenance, improvements and expansion during usage.
- It makes skilful use of new technology and new materials.
- It utilizes high-level technical skills.
- It opens new market opportunities.
About the MicroMaxx System
Weighing less than 3.7 kg and the size of a notebook, the MicroMaxx system delivers image resolution and performance comparable to costly, conventional cart-based ultrasound systems weighing approximately 100 kg. This unprecedented power in a hand-carried configuration provides caregivers with unmatched flexibility and efficiency in utilizing ultrasound in both hospital and office-based settings, as well as out in the field.
The MicroMaxx system and its transducers are designed to withstand real-world use, including being dropped onto a hard surface and continuing to function. Sonosite's proven history of durability and reliability, and the high level of integration of its third generation ASIC microchip technology has resulted in an industry first - the MicroMaxx system and most of its transducers come with a five-year warranty, significantly reducing the cost of owning advanced imaging equipment in any user setting.
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 network 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 470 people worldwide. Sonosite Japan KK (www.sonosite.com.jp), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonosite, headquartered in Tokyo, provides customer service, quality assurance, sales support and direct sales in Japan.