CHICAGO, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- ZONARE Medical Systems, Inc, a medical
device company developing a next-generation ultrasound platform, today
introduced the company's first Zone Sonography(TM) platform at the Radiology
Society of North America (RSNA) annual conference being held November 28 --
December 2, 2004. Combining a significant advance in ultrasound technology
with an innovative physical design to achieve maximum customer value, the
flexibility of the z.one platform is designed to provide clinical solutions
for a wide variety of imaging needs in general imaging, obstetrics,
gynecology, vascular and other emerging ultrasound applications.
"We have developed a next generation ultrasound platform based primarily
on software technology which provides the clinician far greater flexibility
than traditional ultrasound systems," said Donald Southard, president and CEO
of ZONARE Medical Systems. "This architecture, coupled with our proprietary
Zone Sonography technology, has allowed us to bring the first Convertible
Ultrasound(TM) platform to the industry with high performance image quality at
a significant price to value ratio."
The software architecture of the z.one platform allows rapid upgrades at a
far more economical price. Other advantages of Zone Sonography include a
fundamentally new approach to data acquisition and image formation. The system
acquires data quickly in relatively few large zones rather than many narrow
lines, allowing more rapid image storage, processing and display. In
conventional ultrasound systems, each line is formed by summing together the
contributions of all the channels in the transducer. As soon as each line is
formed, the original channel data are discarded. The z.one system aggregates
the original channel data and stores this information in Channel Domain(TM)
Memory. All of the echo information is then utilized in Channel Domain(TM)
Processing to form the image and to provide greater options for image post
processing by retaining all of the original raw data.
In addition, Zone Sonography makes it possible to produce the first
Convertible Ultrasound(TM) system. This allows the clinician to convert the
z.one platform from a full-featured cart system into a compact, portable
system quickly with all the quality and performance of substantially larger
and more expensive ultrasound units, yet, with significantly higher
performance than previous compact systems. Unlike other compact systems, the
cart has a full user interface that works like a conventional ultrasound
system.
"I believe the architecture behind Zone Sonography will add tremendous
flexibility and value to the clinical environment," said Edward Lyons, M.D.,
professor of radiology, OB/GYN and anatomy, University of Manitoba Health
Services Center. "It provides the same image quality and functionality as the
traditional 400-pound ultrasound cart system while remaining completely
portable. This is a tremendous advantage for a wide variety of imaging
departments."
Initially, the system will provide clinical solutions for the general
imaging, vascular, and OB/GYN markets with subsequent upgrades for other
applications such as cardiology. Commercial availability of the z.one platform
is expected in early 2005.
"Both traditional and non-traditional radiology environments will be able
to benefit from the z.one system," said Southard. "With the performance of a
premium system and the ability to convert from a full-featured cart to a
portable compact unit, we believe the z.one platform will become an invaluable
asset in a variety of clinical settings around the world."
About ZONARE Medical Systems
ZONARE Medical Systems, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures high
performance ultrasound solutions, which combine revolutionary technology with
an innovative physical design. Zone Sonography technology, ZONARE's unique
patented approach to ultrasound imaging, is focused on bringing premium
performance to all clinical settings, leading to enhanced diagnostic
capabilities, more cost effective operation and increased value to providers.
For more information, please visit our web site at http://www.zonare.com.
SOURCE Zonare Medical Systems, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.zonare.com
CONTACT:
Laurie Hallwyler of ZONARE Medical Systems,
+1-650-248-9081, or lhallwyler@zonare.com
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