FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT Sara Britton
(206) 448-1200 or (425) 557-1337
sarab@wileyco.com/britton@sqi.com

SIEMENS ULTRASOUND ISSUES PATENTED OB MEASUREMENT SOFTWARE
New Tool Generates Fetal Biometry Estimates Instantly and Automatically

ISSAQUAH, WASH. (June 11, 1998) - Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., Ultrasound Group today announced the worldwide release of Axius Automated OB Calipers technology, a patented measurement system that streamlines one of the world's most common ultrasound tasks.

Siemens Ultrasound's Axius Automated OB Calipers technology enables the SONOLINE® Elegra ultrasound system to automatically outline fetal anatomy and generate suggested biometry measurements with a few quick keystrokes.

The technology, which is based on artificial intelligence design strategies, enables the SONOLINE Elegra system to instantly recognize and render common anatomical boundaries with minimal input from clinicians.

"This technology is a great time-saver, because it simplifies an essential part of our routine OB scanning process," said Laurence Shields, M.D., of the University of Washington Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

"Using Axius Automated OB Calipers, our clinicians were able to complete routine fetal measurements more quickly than they could manually. Measurements were also very easy to reproduce, improving consistency of estimates between examiners," Dr. Shields said.

With Axius Automated OB Calipers technology, clinicians can obtain a best-fit curve of many common fetal measurements, including:

The Axius Automated OB Calipers system then generates suggested fetal measurements, a process completed in two seconds or less.

"This technology offers an important solution to one of the top issues faced by practitioners today: ensuring reliable, reproducible data," said Markus Kirchgeorg, M.D., vice president of worldwide marketing for Siemens Ultrasound.

"Ultrasound is the world's fastest growing imaging modality. The demands on practitioners can be taxing, especially for those new to the field. Individual levels of operator expertise can vary considerably," Kirchgeorg said.

"Systems that can automate routine ultrasound procedures with a high level of accuracy can help improve the reproducibility of ultrasound data, especially for common ultrasound procedures such as OB measurements. With Axius Automated OB Calipers, patients may benefit from better, more consistent care."

During Siemens' clinical evaluations, physicians and sonographers reported that Axius Automated OB Calipers measurements required about half the amount of time as manual OB measurements, with results that were very accurate and reproducible, he said.

Because of the volume of OB ultrasound exams conducted annually, Axius Automated OB Calipers technology may also prove to boost OB productivity. Industry analysts estimate OB scans represented one-sixth of the 63 million ultrasound scans completed in 1997 in the U.S. alone.

Siemens Ultrasound demonstrated Axius Automated OB Calipers as a work in progress at the 1997 meeting of the Radiological Society of North America. The patented technology is based on artificial intelligence design strategies and made possible by Siemens Ultrasound's supercomputer, the Crescendo MultiDimensional Image Processor.

Both powerful and programmable, this image processor is enabling Siemens Ultrasound to develop complicated new ultrasound innovations - such as Axius Automated OB Calipers - and bring them to market in record time. This technology will also allow Siemens to quickly and easily expand its OB measurement software in the future.

Siemens Ultrasound is part of New Jersey-based Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., and Siemens Medical Engineering Group, one of the world's leading providers of diagnostic imaging and advanced medical electronics systems and products. Siemens Ultrasound, headquartered in Issaquah, Wash., has installed 48,000 ultrasound systems in hospitals, clinics and physicians' offices, making the company the second largest supplier of ultrasound systems in the world.

Siemens Medical Systems employs more than 4,500 people in the United States and has annual
sales of about $1.4 billion.

U.S. PATENT NO. 5,588,435. Other U.S. and foreign patents pending. SONOLINE is a registered
trademark of Siemens Medical Systems, Inc. Elegra, Axius and Crescendo are trademarks of
Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.