Ultrasound Tool Customized for Musculoskeletal Imaging

A new ultrasound tool is the first such product customized for musculoskeletal specialists--including rheumatologists, physiatrists, sports physicians, and orthopedic and osteopathic surgeons.

SonoSite, Inc. (Bothell, WA, USA), a developer of point-of-care, hand-carried ultrasound, has recently announced the introduction and shipments of the S-MSK tool. Based on SonoSite's fourth-generation M-Turbo platform, the S-MSK ultrasound tool delivers an exponential increase in processing power for excellent image clarity and connectivity for digital image export in a rugged, easy to use form factor. It is backed by SonoSite's five-year warranty, which comes standard with purchase.

"The image quality of SonoSite's new generation platform is outstanding and comparable to that of larger, more expensive machines," stated Alvin F. Wells, M.D., Ph.D., Rheumatology and Immunotherapy Center and clinical assistant professor, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (Milwaukee, WI, USA). "With this new technology, we can look deep into the joints and see what is going on. SonoSite is allowing rheumatologists to move into the 21st Century. Just like a cardiologist would not practice without using echo, no rheumatologist should practice without using musculoskeletal ultrasound.”

With the S-MSK ultrasound tool, clinicians get excellent image quality and technology that acquires the optimal image in seconds with just two controls, packaged in an innovative design that can be carried, mounted on a pole, or fixed on a wall or ceiling for zero footprint and, of course, withstand being dropped from three feet onto a hard surface.

Configured for use with SonoSite's HFL38x and L25x broadband transducers, the S-MSK ultrasound tool provides exceptional imaging of superficial and deep targets for a quick look assessment and guidance of interventional procedures such as injections and aspirations of the knee, shoulder, elbow, and other joints in the body. On-board Flash memory of 4 GB will retain enough data for 20 standard exams even after the power is turned off. Three universal serial bus (USB) slots on the system allow for direct sharing of images (JPEG) and clips (MPEG4) to a personal computer (PC) or Mac computer.

Similar to other S Series products recently developed by SonoSite, the S-MSK device is very easy to disinfect. Its mechanical design not only minimizes fluid ingress but also allows the user to easily wipe it down and decontaminate it, especially important in a system designed for procedural use.


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