SonoSite's launches hand-carried 'ultrasound systems' in AP

Hyderabad, Aug 11 (UNI) Even as it is talks with Army and Indian Navy to reach far flung destinations, SonoSite, Inc., the world leader in Hand-carried Ultrasound Systems (HCU), today introduced their complete product range in Andhra Pradesh.

Headquartered in US, the Company which launched its first Hand-carried Ultrasound System in 1999, had so far sold 25,000 systems worldwide generating USD 148 million income last year.

''The Ultrasound Systems were increasingly being used for procedures where physicians need inexpensive, non-radiating imaging in such diverse applications such as real-time trauma assessment in emergency situations, guiding intersventional, procedures such as biopsies, nerve blocks and surgery, and in the imaging lab for full diagnostic examinations''.

The company which opened up its Liaison office in Gurgaon near New Delhi last year had recorded a business of USD 1.5 million.

Currently two corporate hospital and the Government Hospital at Warangal had its HCU and it plans to grow by 50 per cent. ''These systems represent a revolutionary combination of cost, performance, size and will bring the benefits of Ultrasound to more doctors and the point of patients' care in India'', SonoSite India Country Manager Pavan Behl said. The Ultrasound Systems were increasingly being used for procedures where physicians need inexpensive, non-radiating imaging in such diverse applications such as real-time trauma assessment in emergency situations, guiding interventional procedures such as biopsies, nerve blocks and surgery, and in the imaging lab for full diagnostic examinations.

HCU, a 3.8 kg portable system, he said had brought a transformational change in clinical practice by providing point-of-care Ultrasound at the patient's bedside or physician's examination table. ''This can lead to increased accessibility, improvement of patient care and safety and has the potential to reduce healthcare costs through earlier and more rapid diagnosis of diseases and conditions.'' The company has already demonstrated its products at Pune, the Armed Forces Medical Corps headquarter and at Mumbai for the Indian Navy.

With the Corporate Hospitals, Government dispensaries and private practioners would take the product to district and taluk level.

The company would also taking lead in India to introduce the concept of Ultrasound Imaging in Regional Anesthesia and would organising a series of knowledge seminars across the country to update anesthesioligists on the imaging techniques in anesthesia''.

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