BOTHELL, WA - December 8, 2005 - Sonosite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, today said it has signed an agreement with Medtronic Navigation as a non-exclusive distributor for sales and distribution of its ultrasound systems in conjunction with Medtronic Navigation's SonoNav Intra-operative Imaging System used to guide neurosurgery.
The agreement covers distribution of Sonosite systems in the U.S., Canada and thirteen countries in Europe and the Middle East. Ultrasound offers neurosurgeons the benefit of real-time visualization to complement traditional cranial stereotactic systems, which utilize preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data sets to guide surgery. By coupling Sonosite systems to provide real-time intra-operative ultrasound images in correlation with the pre-operative CT or MRI images, the surgeon is able to better monitor and compensate for the movement of the brain caused by tissue removal, edema, etc. as surgery progresses.
"The benefits of ultrasound guidance in terms of increased patient safety and accuracy during interventional medical procedures is well documented," said Kevin M. Goodwin, President and CEO of Sonosite, Inc. "With Medtronic Navigation, a world leader in computer-assisted surgery, these benefits will be available worldwide to neurosurgeons and their patients. This agreement exemplifies the significant role our technology can play as an enabler and enhancer of other sophisticated medical technologies."
About Sonosite
Sonosite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, with an installed base of more than 25,000 systems. Headquartered near Seattle, Washington, Sonosite 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.
The agreement covers distribution of Sonosite systems in the U.S., Canada and thirteen countries in Europe and the Middle East. Ultrasound offers neurosurgeons the benefit of real-time visualization to complement traditional cranial stereotactic systems, which utilize preoperative computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data sets to guide surgery. By coupling Sonosite systems to provide real-time intra-operative ultrasound images in correlation with the pre-operative CT or MRI images, the surgeon is able to better monitor and compensate for the movement of the brain caused by tissue removal, edema, etc. as surgery progresses.
"The benefits of ultrasound guidance in terms of increased patient safety and accuracy during interventional medical procedures is well documented," said Kevin M. Goodwin, President and CEO of Sonosite, Inc. "With Medtronic Navigation, a world leader in computer-assisted surgery, these benefits will be available worldwide to neurosurgeons and their patients. This agreement exemplifies the significant role our technology can play as an enabler and enhancer of other sophisticated medical technologies."
About Sonosite
Sonosite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in hand-carried ultrasound, with an installed base of more than 25,000 systems. Headquartered near Seattle, Washington, Sonosite 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.