* Strength in engineering, by sharing research and development technologies across the care area platforms.
* Global expansion of its sales team and a broad global footprint.
* Investment in expanding services and education offerings for hospitals.

Also in 2006, GE's LOGIQ e ultrasound system led all new compact products industry-wide in the U.S. market with revenue of $23 million, according to the Klein report. The LOGIQ e is geared toward emerging and growing uses for ultrasound such as assisting physicians in visualization of patient anatomy for interventional and surgical procedures, including regional anesthesia, as well as real-time patient evaluations in emergency settings and sports medicine.
"Ultrasound has set the standard in assisting regional anesthesia," said Jeffrey Swenson, M.D., professor and director of anesthesia for the orthopedic center at the University of Utah. "Because of its detailed visualization of anatomical structures, especially of the facial planes and nerve bundles, the LOGIQ e offers superior capability for ultrasound-guided nerve blocks."

"The ease and portability of the LOGIQ e makes it widely applicable, outside of the operating room, and even makes it possible for ultrasound-guided procedures in remote areas including regions of the world with limited medical facilities," Swenson said.

Klein also stated the compact ultrasound market should top $1 billion in the year 2011 for an annual growth rate of 22 percent.

According to Ishrak, who has more than 20 years in ultrasound technology development and has served as the leader of GE's ultrasound division since 1995, "We will continue to invest in our sales team, and we expect our sales growth to surpass global market growth for compact ultrasound."

ABOUT GE HEALTHCARE'S COMPACT SERIES:
In 2006, GE introduced its new Compact Series of ultrasound products -- five cutting-edge ultrasound systems designed to address healthcare providers' growing demand for sophisticated, real-time imaging at the point of care. GE's Compact Series places the power and imaging capabilities of a high-performance, 400-pound ultrasound console system into a laptop-size design. The portable nature of laptop-size ultrasound systems enables physicians and clinicians to perform diagnoses on patients at the bedside.

GE's Compact Series of ultrasound systems includes:

* Voluson i, offering the world's first real-time, 4-D imaging capabilities in a compact design for patients in obstetrics and gynecology.

More Industry Headlines