A Unique, Patented Convertible Ultrasound™ Platform.

ZONE SONOGRAPHY™ TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES FOUNDATION FOR SIGNIFICANT ULTRASOUND UPGRADES FROM ZONARE

Washington, D.C. – March 24, 2006 – ZONARE Medical Systems, a developer of next generation ultrasound technology, announced significant new upgrades to the company’s revolutionary new z.one ultrasound system at the annual American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) being held March 23 – 26, 2006. The new upgrades include three new transducers, calculation packages and a proprietary technology, Zone Speed Technology or ZST, to automatically recognize and adjust for the differences in body sound propagation, which is possible only due to Zone Sonography™ technology.  The new transducers are available in spring 2006, while the new clinical ultrasound upgrades will be available later this year.
     “Zone Sonography technology allows us to bring many economical upgrades to the z.one system, the world’s first Convertible Ultrasound™ system, providing excellent return on investment for our customers,” said Donald Southard, president and CEO of ZONARE. “In addition to three new transducers, we will offer our customers the ability to automatically adjust for each individual’s unique body sound propagation and fully optimize the ultrasound image – an absolute first in ultrasound technology.”
      Zone Sonography technology has allowed ZONARE to bring the first Convertible Ultrasound™ platform to the industry with superb image quality. Clinicians are able to instantly convert the z.one system from a full-featured, cart-based unit into a premium compact ultrasound system with all the performance of substantially larger and more expensive ultrasound units, yet, with greater portability and clinical flexibility than conventional compact systems.
     Combining a fundamentally new advance in ultrasound, Zone Sonography technology coupled with the z.one platform’s radically new physical design provides the maximum flexibility offering significant clinical and workflow solutions for a wide variety of customer challenges. The z.one platform’s Zone Sonography software-based architecture ensures that its performance will increase as improvements in processing power become available. This allows for fast, convenient upgrades in clinical capabilities, keeping clinicians at the forefront of diagnostic capabilities as well as protecting their investment.  Upgrades can now be downloaded via the internet, another industry first.
     “All of the software upgrades can be downloaded over the Internet which allows our customers to quickly gain access to new developments,” said Southard. “This unique ability ensures access to state-of-the-art ultrasound technology literally at your fingertips. Zone Sonography technology is enabling significant new advances in the field of ultrasound imaging which have only begun to be tapped.”

ZST – Optimized Sound Speed Compensation
     Not all bodies image the same with ultrasound. Wall thickness, fat layer and tissue attenuation affect the way ultrasound sound waves travel through an individual’s body. Conventional ultrasound systems, however, assume the same pre-set sound speed to image all body types. Now, as an industry first, ZONARE offers  ZST, the ability to automatically adjust the sound speed based on differences in a patient’s body habitus which, in turn, immediately optimizes the clinical image.

New Transducers
     The new P10-4 transducer was developed to be used for neonatal, infant, and pediatric patients.  ZONARE paid specific attention to the transducer's ergonomic design, resulting in a comfortable grip for scanning through isolettes and tiny acoustic windows.  The transducer technology is comprehensive, offering up to seven different frequencies, including Harmonic Imaging at 8.0 MHz received, two Color Doppler frequencies, and three B-Mode frequencies.
      The new P4-1 small footprint transducer was developed to address the clinician's need for easy access in abdominal and OB/Gyn sonography, providing significant flexibility with nine frequencies. This obviates the need to change transducers.  The small footprint is essential for easy access between patients’ ribs, dressings, or whenever acoustic access is a challenge. For the technically difficult to image patient, the new P4-1 offers penetration up to 30 cm. 
     The new L8-3 transducer is especially designed to address peripheral vascular needs, but can also be used for pediatric hips and technically difficult small parts. With a bandwidth of 8-3 MHz, the L8-3 offers nine frequencies including 2D, M-Mode, Tissue Harmonic, color Doppler and PW Doppler.

Calculation Packages
     ZONARE is adding two new calculation packages addressing abdominal and venous imaging.  Both are extremely comprehensive, allowing ultrasound professionals to use a protocol checklist with reports that include organ sizes, Doppler results, and a section for medical notes or comments.

     “We are very excited about these major new upgrades and know our customers will receive significant imaging and economical advantages with their z.one system,” said Southard. “The feedback on the z.one system has been extremely positive. With revolutionary Zone Sonography technology, we look forward to providing many additional upgrades in the near future.”

About ZONARE Medical Systems
ZONARE Medical Systems, Inc. designs, develops, and manufactures premium compact performance ultrasound solutions, which combine revolutionary technology with an innovative physical design. Zone Sonography technology, ZONARE’s unique patented approach to ultrasound imaging, is focused on bringing the highest performance to all clinical settings, leading to advanced diagnostic capabilities, more cost effective operation and increased value to providers. For more information, please visit our web site at www.zonare.com

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Media Contact:

Lars Shaw
ZONARE Medical Systems
lshaw@zonare.com
650-230-2787