SonoSite Inc., a provider of hand-carried ultrasound for point-of-care medicine, has announced that its new SonoGT Global Target technology is now available on SonoSite’s mountable S Series ultrasound tools. The new performance platform delivers enhanced color flow sensitivity, wireless connectivity, including a remote control for hands-free system control and workflow integration for multiple point-of-care application markets.

First introduced for SonoSite’s versatile M-Turbo systems in October 2008, SonoSite now brings SonoGT engine to effectively transform the S Series product line into the S-Turbo Series. SonoSite began customer shipments of the new S Series systems with SonoGT technology in February. Customers can separately purchase SonoGT technology and upgrade existing S Series systems via a software download from a USB thumb drive.

The SonoGT technology platform adds several capabilities to the S Series product line.

ColorHD Technology — A proprietary, color Doppler algorithm that harnesses the power of the S Series system’s digital signal processor to increase color, sensitivity and frame rates. Available on all transducers, ColorHD technology works in parallel with multiple Turbo platform algorithms, including SonoHD imaging technology, to provide increased diagnostic information and better visualization of color flow, particularly in low flow states.

SonoRemote Control — A new tool enabled by the SonoGT technology platform untethers the clinician from the ultrasound system during procedures to increase ergonomic comfort to perform more easily in sterile field procedures. Based on Bluetooth wireless technology, the SonoRemote control can be voice or touch activated and function from within a sterile bag or sheath. Clinicians can adjust system controls remotely from within a radius of 10 meters. SonoSite plans to begin shipping this option in the first quarter of 2009.

SonoRoam Technology — Using 802.11b/g technology, SonoRoam technology enables wireless image transfer from the S Series system to a PACS system via DICOM and to a personal computer via SonoSite’s SiteLink so that clinicians can quickly retrieve the information from any location. Wireless connectivity is increasingly viewed as a critical component to reduce medical errors and speed time to diagnosis in a point-of-care ultrasound system.

DICOM Storage Commit and DICOM Multi-Modality Performed Procedure Step have been added to the S Series system to complete the IHE profile (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise) Scheduled Workflow (SWF) Integration Profile. This facilitates seamless clinical integration of ordering, scheduling, image acquisition, storage, viewing and billing of patient procedures.

Patient Management — Patient demographics can now be entered before, during or after the exam. This allows flexibility in getting the procedure completed in time-critical situations where documentation is secondary to that of the procedure itself. In addition, there are new capabilities to facilitate more efficient processing of emergency medicine worksheets and reports. DICOM Multi-Modality Worklist (MWL) queries can be made to the hospital information network to gain quick access to patient scheduling for ultrasound and non-ultrasound procedures. SonoGT technology also enables physicians to annotate images and on-screen body markers for enhanced documentation of studies and procedures on S Series products.

New USB Bar Code Reader — This accessory allows clinicians to quickly and accurately enter patient information and update exam information prior to its entry into the patient record. SonoSite’s bar code reader is powered through a USB port thereby freeing AC power for another device.

New transducer options include C11x/8-5 MHz — a new addition to both the S-Nerve™ and S-ICU systems for neonatal and abdominal exams and includes vascular settings; L25x/13-6 MHz — offers an ophthalmic exam setting for the S-FAST tool for the evaluation of globe rupture, intraocular foreign bodies, and retinal detachment; and SLAx/13-6MHz — is now configured with the S-MSK and S-Nerve systems for nerve and vascular scanning applications.
For more information, see sonosite.com