Siemens Healthcare (www.siemens.com/healthcare) highlighted three new ultrasound solutions - the ACUSON S2000™ ultrasound platform with paradigm shifting technologies such as tissue strain analytics, and the ACUSON X300™ ultrasound system, premium edition, a complete solution to general imaging and cardiovascular applications, and the laptop-based ACUSON P50™ echocardiography system - at the recent American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) conference in San Diego.

The ACUSON S2000 is the first system of Siemens' new generation of ultrasound products and is the company's new premier general imaging platform. Its paradigm-shifting strain imaging and quantification capabilities, Virtual Touch™ tissue imaging and Virtual Touch tissue quantification*, use acoustic energy to displace tissue for a qualitative and quantitative assessment of deep tissue stiffness, the world's first implementation of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI)** imaging.

"We see Virtual Touch tissue imaging and quantification as the most significant change in the industry since the development of Doppler imaging," said Klaus Hambuchen, chief executive officer, Ultrasound, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. "The ACUSON S2000 system represents the pinnacle of innovative technology, workflow-enhancing clinical applications across general imaging, including obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), as well as vascular and cardiac imaging."

The ACUSON S2000 system will also feature new knowledge-based workflow applications that dramatically improve the efficiency of ultrasound exams. For instance, with syngo® Auto OB, users can generate semi-automatic biometric fetal measurements that save up to 75 percent of the keystrokes in routine fetal exams. Enhanced functionality for volumetric acquisition, data rendering and post processing is provided by Advanced fourSight™ technology, which includes Amnioscopic Rendering, a unique surface-rendering technique for stunningly realistic and detailed views of the fetus. And with syngo eSieCalcs™ native tracing software, Siemens introduces advanced segmentation technology to provide automated delineation and measurement of lesions and structures in 2D images or volumes.

Siemens also showcased the new ACUSON X300 ultrasound system, premium edition that meets the most demanding operational and clinical challenges for both general imaging and cardiovascular applications in one compact, easy-to-use package. In addition to the standard quantification tools, the system boasts advanced capabilities for comprehensive cardiac assessment, such as syngo Velocity Vector Imaging™ (VVI) technology for detailed assessment of myocardial mechanics, and syngo Auto Left Heart that uses progressive pattern recognition for expert-like measurements of ejection fraction and volumes of the left ventricle and atrium. On top of that the ACUSON X300 system supports comprehensive cardiac applications, such as Left Ventricular Opacification (LVO), intracardiac procedures with the ACUSON AcuNav™ ultrasound catheter, as well as transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for the evaluation of heart valves and chambers.

Portable and powerful solutions for fast and flexible clinical workflow and improved diagnostic confidence combined with the communication and productivity benefits of a Microsoft Windows application are on top of the wish list of busy clinicians. The new ACUSON P50 portable echocardiography system is the go-anywhere ultrasound system that features all of these characteristics in one sleek, elegant high-end Apple MacBook Pro notebook. With less than 12 pounds, the system was designed for mobile use in cardiac and vascular imaging and supports high-quality imaging, such as 2D/B-mode, fundamental and harmonic, anatomical M-mode, color Doppler, and Doppler tissue imaging.

About Siemens Healthcare
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. The company is a renowned medical solutions provider with core competence and innovative strength in diagnostic and therapeutic technologies as well as in knowledge engineering, including information technology and system integration. With its laboratory diagnostics acquisitions, Siemens Healthcare is the first fully integrated diagnostics company, bringing together imaging and lab diagnostics, therapy, and healthcare information technology solutions, supplemented by consulting and support services. Siemens Healthcare delivers solutions across the entire continuum of care - from prevention and early detection, to diagnosis, therapy and care. The company employs more than 49,000 people worldwide and operates in 130 countries. In the fiscal year 2007 (Sept. 30), Siemens Healthcare reported sales of €9.85 billion, orders of €10.27 billion, and group profit of €1.32 billion. Further information can be found by visiting http://www.siemens.com/healthcare

*Virtual Touch(TM) tissue imaging and Virtual Touch tissue quantification are pending 510(K) approval.
**ARFI is a Works in Progress and information about this product is preliminary. The product is under development and not commercially available in the U.S., and its future availability cannot be ensured.