'SonoSite, Inc. is the worldwide market and technology leader in high performance, hand-carried ultrasound. Through its expertise in ASIC design, SonoSite is able to offer imaging performance typically found in ultrasound systems weighing more than 300 pounds in a system architecture that is approximately the size and weight of a laptop computer and provides a significant price to performance advantage compared to conventional systems. This breakthrough is transforming and expanding the worldwide diagnostic ultrasound market by serving existing clinical markets more efficiently and creating new point-of-care applications where ultrasound was either too cumbersome or too expensive to be used before. With over 15,000 systems sold since 1999, SonoSite products are known for exceptional performance, ease of use and durability.'

'SonoSite began as a division of ATL Ultrasound in 1997 focused on the development of all-digital, handheld ultrasound devices. In February 1995, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Project Administration (DARPA) had awarded to ATL a two-year matching grant to develop a highly portable ultrasound device for use on the battlefield or in natural or man-made disasters to diagnose victims of severe trauma. This program culminated with a prototype in October 1998. ATL spun off SonoSite as a public company on April 6, 1998.'

In March 2012 Fujifilm Holdings completes the acquisition of SonoSite.

Ultrasound Systems:

The term 'sonogram' is often used interchangeably with 'ultrasound,' but it specifically refers to the resulting image or picture produced during a diagnostic ultrasound examination, also known as ultrasonography or sonography. It serves as a visual representation of the echoes detected by the transducer and provides detailed anatomical information about the area being examined. Sonograms are typically displayed on a monitor, printed on film, or stored digitally for further analysis and documentation by medical professionals such as sonographers and radiologists. They serve as invaluable diagnostic tools, aiding in the detection and evaluation of various medical conditions, as well as guiding interventions, ultrasound therapy, and treatment planning.
The term 'ultrasound' itself refers to the technology used during a sonogram, but it also finds several other applications beyond medical imaging. These include echolocation, crack detection, and cleaning, among others.
See also Ultrasound Imaging, Ultrasound Technology, Handheld Ultrasound, Ultrasound Accessories and Supplies, Environmental Protection and Ultrasound Elastography.

The field of medical imaging offers numerous career opportunities, and one profession is that of a sonographer. Sonographers play a critical role in healthcare by utilizing ultrasound technology to create images of the body's internal structures.

See also Handheld Ultrasound, Ultrasound Machine, Sonography, Portable Ultrasound Machine, Ultrasound Accessories and Supplies, Environmental Protection and Ultrasound Technology.

Ultrasound machines, with their various components and types, have revolutionized the field of medical imaging. These devices enable healthcare professionals to visualize internal structures, assess conditions, and guide interventions with real-time imaging capabilities. Today, medical ultrasound systems are complex signal processing machines. Assessing the performance of an ultrasound system requires understanding the relationships between the characteristics of the system, such as the point spread function, temporal resolution, and the quality of images. Image quality aspects include the detail resolution, contrast resolution and penetration. Systems with microbubble scanner modification are particularly suitable for contrast enhanced ultrasound.


In summary, ultrasound machines have diverse performance levels and corresponding price ranges, catering to various medical imaging needs. From low-performance systems with basic imaging capabilities to high-performance and premium systems with advanced features, ultrasound technology continues to advance healthcare imaging capabilities.
See also Ultrasound Physics, Handheld Ultrasound, Environmental Protection, Equipment Preparation.

Ultrasound technology with its advancements is vital for delivering high-quality patient care. Innovations including high-frequency ultrasound, 3D//4D imaging, contrast enhanced ultrasound, elastography, and point-of-care ultrasound, have expanded the capabilities of ultrasound imaging and improved diagnostic accuracy.
B-Mode imaging, also known as brightness mode, is the fundamental technique in ultrasound imaging. It produces two-dimensional images based on the echoes received from tissues and organs. Understanding the principles of B-Mode imaging, such as gain adjustment, depth control, and image optimization, is crucial for obtaining diagnostically valuable images. M-Mode imaging, on the other hand, allows for the visualization of motion over time, enabling assessment of cardiac structures and function, as well as fetal heart rate.
High-frequency ultrasound refers to the use of ultrasound waves with frequencies greater than 10 MHz. This technology enables improved resolution, allowing for detailed imaging of superficial structures like skin, tendons, and small organs. High-frequency ultrasound has found applications in dermatology, ophthalmology, and musculoskeletal imaging.
Traditional 2D ultrasound has been augmented by the advent of 3D ultrasound technology. By acquiring multiple 2D images from different angles, this technique construct a volumetric representation of the imaged area. The addition of 4D ultrasound in real-time motion adds further value by capturing dynamic processes.
Doppler imaging employs the Doppler effect to evaluate blood flow within vessels and assess hemodynamics. Color Doppler assigns color to different blood flow velocities, providing a visual representation of blood flow direction and speed. Spectral Doppler displays blood flow velocities as a waveform, allowing for detailed analysis of flow patterns, resistance, and stenosis.
Contrast enhanced ultrasound employs microbubble contrast agents to enhance the visualization of blood flow and tissue perfusion. By injecting these agents intravenously, sonographers can differentiate between vascular structures and lesions. Elastography is a technique that measures tissue elasticity or stiffness. It assists in differentiating between normal and abnormal tissues, aiding in the diagnosis of various conditions such as liver fibrosis, breast lesions, and thyroid nodules.
Fusion imaging combines ultrasound with other imaging modalities, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET). By overlaying or merging ultrasound images with those obtained from other modalities, the user can precisely locate and characterize abnormalities, guide interventions, and improve diagnostic accuracy. Fusion imaging has proven particularly useful in areas such as interventional radiology, oncology, and urology.
See also Equipment Preparation, Environmental Protection, Handheld Ultrasound, Portable Ultrasound and Ultrasound Accessories and Supplies.