SonoSite Receives International Design Award

SonoSite, Inc. (Bothell, WA, USA), a developer of point-of-care, hand-carried ultrasound, reported that its new S-Nerve ultrasound tool has received a design award from the International Forum (iF; Chicago, IL USA) in the Health+Care category. An international jury evaluated 2,771 entries based on design, functionality, esthetics, innovation, workmanship, and choice of materials.

The S-Nerve tool, part of SonoSite's recently introduced S Series product line, is custom-designed to support the visualization needs of anesthesiologists performing regional anesthesia. Its breakthrough image quality, speed, and simplicity were designed with input from leading practitioners who expressed a substantive need for a small, high-performance tool designed to function exclusively for guidance of regional nerve blocks and central line placement.

Similar to other products in SonoSite's S Series line, the S-Nerve device is a radically new concept in ultrasound unlike anything else in the marketplace and offers the option of a "zero” footprint. It can be mounted on a wall, the ceiling or on a pole by the patient's bedside. Dr. Ian Harper, consultant in anesthesia, Wansbeck Hospital (Northumberland, UK), commented, "the vertical orientation and mounting of the machine is a logistical improvement. Space can be at a premium in an anesthetic room during a hectic day. Whoever designed this product got it exactly right.”

"We are particularly happy that our S-Nerve product is not only valued by physicians for its usefulness, but that is has been recognized by the jury for its beautiful design,” said Dieter Schwartmann, vice president, SonoSite Europe. "S-Nerve excels as a result of its outstanding innovation in performance, design and user interface that facilitates physicians placing nerve blocks quickly and accurately.”

The S-Nerve ultrasound tool will be on display with other award-winning products at the International Congress Center in Hannover, Germany, until August 31, 2008.

The International Forum turns 35 this year, and the founding principles of the association are the free exchange of innovative ideas and high-level planning expertise between top producers in the life-insurance profession.


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