Thursday, December 29, 2011

BK Medical Receives Coveted Frost & Sullivan Award in Surgical Ultrasound Market

PEABODY, Mass., Dec 29, 2011 (GlobeNewswire via COMTEX) -- BK Medical, part of Analogic's ultrasound group ALOG +1.74% , announced that it has received the 2011 Frost & Sullivan North American Product Differentiation Excellence of the Year Award in the Surgical Ultrasound Market. BK Medical recently highlighted this prominent award at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 97th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting.

"Our noteworthy accomplishments in ultrasound reflect innovation and excellence in product engineering and design, which is evidenced by our comprehensive range of ultrasound systems, including Advanced Robotics Ultrasound Technology(TM) (ART(TM)), the industry's first complete imaging solution for robotic-assisted surgery that includes the Flex Focus(TM) 700 Ultrasound System," said Lars Shaw, Analogic's vice president of global marketing. "We are committed to providing our customers with the most advanced ultrasound imaging modalities, and we are truly honored to be recognized by Frost & Sullivan in the Product Differentiation Excellence category.

source: MarketWatch

Sunday, December 25, 2011

SonoSite Begins International Shipments of New EDGE Ultrasound System

BOTHELL, Wash., Dec 21, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- SonoSite, Inc. SONO -0.15% , the world leader and specialist in hand-carried ultrasound for the point-of-care, announced it has received CE Marking (Conformite Europeenne) in the European Union to market its next generation point-of-care product: EDGE(TM) ultrasound system. The EDGE system is currently available for sale in the U.S., following receipt of FDA Premarket Notification 510(k) clearance in November. SonoSite is now commencing international customer deliveries.

Engineered with new state-of-the-art technology, the EDGE ultrasound system takes point-of- care ultrasound to a whole new level of clinical performance and enables physicians to deliver the highest standard of patient care by driving greater efficiencies and the potential for improved outcomes in the hospital and office.

The EDGE ultrasound was formally introduced this fall at medical meetings and congresses in Europe and Australia. Physicians positively responded to the system:

"As a faithful SonoSite user, I want the company's products to remain true to its core elements, namely user friendliness, simplicity of use and rapid acquisition of a great image," said Amit Pawa, MD, Anesthesiologist Consultant, Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK. "The EDGE system clearly accomplishes this while looking futuristic, sleek and sophisticated. Physicians will also benefit from the back-lit screen and wipe-able keypad. Overall, the image quality is superior and I can't wait to use it in clinical practice."

source: SonoSite

Friday, December 16, 2011

Fujifilm Holdings Announces Agreement to Acquire SonoSite, Inc.

TOKYO & BOTHELL, Wash., Dec 15, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (hereinafter:Fujifilm), a diversified technology company that operates in healthcare, highly functional materials, and document solutions, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement with SonoSite, Inc. SONO +0.00% (hereinafter:SonoSite), a pioneer and leader in bedside and point-of-care ultrasound technology, pursuant to which Fujifilm will acquire SonoSite for approximately $995 million (which includes amounts payable in connection with its convertible debt). The transaction was unanimously approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies.

Fujifilm, through a U.S. subsidiary, will make an all-cash tender offer to purchase all outstanding shares of SonoSite common stock for $54 per share in cash. The purchase price represents a premium of 50.0% over SonoSite's average closing stock price over the three months ended December 14, 2011, and a 75.4% premium over the closing price on November 2, 2011, the last trading day before news reports relating to a possible sale transaction were first published. The tender offer is scheduled to commence within 20 business days and will remain open for 21 U.S. business days.

source: MarketWatch