SonoSite

Media Center / Press Release

SonoSite Brings S Revolution To Musculoskeletal Imaging

Zero-Footprint Ultrasound Customized for Imaging Needs of Sports Medicine, Rheumatologists and Musculoskeletal Specialists

BOTHELL, WA - February 22, 2008 - SonoSite, Inc., (Nasdaq:SONO), the world leader in point-of-care, hand-carried ultrasound, announced today the introduction of the S-MSK™ ultrasound tool, the first ultrasound product customized for musculoskeletal specialists - including rheumatologists, physiatrists, sports physicians, orthopedic and osteopathic surgeons and physical therapists. The company plans to begin customer shipments in March.

Based on SonoSite’s fourth generation M-Turbo™ platform, the S-MSK ultrasound tool delivers an exponential increase in processing power for superior image clarity plus seamless connectivity for digital image export in a rugged, easy to use form factor. It is backed by SonoSite’s ground-breaking 5-year warranty, which comes standard with purchase.

“The image quality of SonoSite’s new generation platform is outstanding and comparable to that of larger, more expensive machines,” says Alvin F. Wells, MD, PhD, Rheumatology and Immunotherapy Center and Clinical Assistant Professor, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Milwaukee. “With this new technology, we can look deep into the joints and see what is going on. SonoSite is allowing rheumatologists to move into the 21st Century. Just like a cardiologist would not practice without using echo, no rheumatologist should practice without using musculoskeletal ultrasound.”

With the S-MSK ultrasound tool, clinicians get breakthrough image quality and technology that acquires the optimal image in seconds with just two controls, packaged in a revolutionary design that can be carried, mounted on a pole or fixed on a wall or ceiling for zero footprint and, of course, withstand being dropped from three feet onto a hard surface.

Configured for use with SonoSite’s HFL38x and L25x broadband transducers, the S-MSK™ ultrasound tool provides exceptional imaging of superficial and deep targets for a quick look assessment and guidance of interventional procedures such as injections and aspirations of the knee, shoulder, elbow and other joints in the body. On-board Flash memory of 4 GB will retain enough data for 20 standard exams even after the power is turned off. Three USB slots on the system allow for direct sharing of images (JPEG) and clips (MPEG4) to a PC or Mac® computer.

Like the other S Series™ products recently introduced by SonoSite, the S-MSK device is very easy to disinfect. Its mechanical design not only minimizes fluid ingress but also allows the user to easily wipe it down and decontaminate it, particularly important in a system designed for procedural use.

Medial Collateral Ligament Tear, captured with the S-MSK ultrasound tool using HFL38x/13-6 MHz transducer.

About SonoSite
SonoSite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in hand-carried ultrasound. Headquartered near Seattle, the company is represented by ten subsidiaries and a global distribution network in over 100 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 over 600 people worldwide.