(October 5, 1998) ISSAQUAH,
Wash. - Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., Ultrasound Group today announced the worldwide release of its newest
platform, the SONOLINE® Sienna ultrasound imaging system.
The SONOLINE Sienna system is a digital, multi-specialty ultrasound system that offers crisp images from one of the smallest, most mobile units in the industry. It also extends color Doppler and high-frequency imaging technology to a lower-priced segment of the market.
"The SONOLINE Sienna system was designed to maximize productivity while providing exceptional image quality to clinicians who normally must settle for less performance," said Markus Kirchgeorg, vice president of marketing for Siemens Ultrasound Group. "This platform is expected to be especially attractive to clinicians in critical ultrasound applications, such as high-risk OB and infertility, but also in more traditional settings, such as general imaging and radiology."
The SONOLINE Sienna system, which will retail in the price range of $60,000 to $80,000 (US), incorporates color flow technology and other innovations first developed for the SONOLINE Elegra and SONOLINE Versa Plus platforms. It is available today for immediate delivery.
The versatile SONOLINE Sienna system addresses a number of clinical applications, including radiology, abdominal, urology, internal medicine, OB/GYN and breast imaging, pediatric abdomen and hip, thyroid, sports medicine and musculoskeletal imaging.
"The SONOLINE Sienna offers excellent color flow imaging at an affordable level, which should clearly benefit hundreds of regional clinics currently relying on black-and-white systems for routine exams, such as tumor detection and biopsies," said Tom Winter, M.D., director of the University of Washington Department of Radiology. Dr. Winter was one of several physicians involved in clinical trials of the system.
"Stellar color flow systems can simplify biopsies of liver and breast tumors, for example, by making major blood vessels more visible. Also, the SONOLINE Sienna may improve the ability to clearly demonstrate patterns of blood vessels around masses, for easier diagnosis of malignant or benign tumors," he said.
"The system's high-frequency 12 megahertz transducer provides a strong performance in all superficial scanning situations, particularly for breast imaging and musculoskeletal applications," Winter said.
"We were able to use it to diagnose small tears in the Achilles tendon with a level of definition unparalleled among lower-priced ultrasound systems," he said.
The SONOLINE Sienna system incorporates the latest advances in broadband multi-frequency transducer technology, digital beamformer and signal processing design to provide outstanding spatial and contrast resolution. In addition to color Doppler, the SONOLINE Sienna system delivers B-mode and Pulsed Wave Doppler. Transparent Energy Mode provides angle independent power Doppler capabilities for optimal color flow image quality, even in difficult scanning situations.
The number of traditional hardware modules has been significantly reduced through the increased use of advanced microprocessor technology, Kirchgeorg said. The result is a compact, light system with a small footprint that is mobile enough to be quickly taken from one part of a medical facility to another. This system, based on application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), reduces both heat and noise and increases reliability.
The SONOLINE Sienna system has standard features that should make it a highly efficient unit. For instance, four active transducer ports enable the user to have four transducers instantly available during exams with only the touch of a key. Moreover, the control panel allows for user-defined QuickSets, which instantly configure the system to the individual preferences of each user. The number of keystrokes required to perform most examinations has been reduced.
A wide range of transducers in both solid state and electro-mechanical technologies provide extensive clinical flexibility. The transducers are compatible with the SONOLINE family of products and are designed to provide high resolution imaging with superb penetration, even in technically difficult to image patients.
Siemens Ultrasound is part of New Jersey-based Siemens Medical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of Siemens Aktiengesellschaft, Medical Engineering Group, Erlangen, Germany. Siemens is one of the world's leading providers of diagnostic imaging and advanced medical electronics systems and products. With its headquarters in Issaquah, Wash., Siemens Ultrasound 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.
SONOLINE is a registered trademark of Siemens Medical Systems, Inc.