A Unique, Patented Convertible Ultrasound™ Platform.

PROVIDENCE MEDICAL CENTER FIRST IN ALASKA TO OFFER WORLD’S FIRST CONVERTIBLE ULTRASOUND PLATFORM

State’s Largest Hospital to Provide Revolutionary Zone Sonography Technology to Patients

Anchorage, Alaska – August 17, 2006 – Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska’s largest hospital, announced it has recently completed installation of the z.one ultrasound system, the world’s first Convertible Ultrasound™ platform. The z.one system from ZONARE Medical Systems is based on new Zone Sonography™ technology which allows the system to convert from a full-featured, cart-based system to a premium compact unit which can easily be carried to the patient’s bedside. Providence Radiology Services is the first hospital in Alaska to offer this revolutionary technology.

“We wanted to be able to quickly and easily bring ultrasound imaging to a patient’s bedside without compromising image quality,” said Stephen Katzenson, Radiology Director Providence. “Up until the z.one, portable ultrasound systems had been lacking in premium image quality. ZONARE’s Zone Sonography technology has finally enabled high quality imaging in a compact system. The fact that it can convert from a cart-based to portable unit at the touch of a button, makes it a great addition to our wide variety of imaging services.”

Zone Sonography technology has allowed ZONARE Medical Systems to bring the first Convertible Ultrasound™ platform to the industry with superb image quality at a substantial price to value ratio. Clinicians are able to instantly convert the z.one platform from a full-featured, cart-based system 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. With ZONARE’s latest release, upgrades can now be downloaded via the internet, another industry first.

“With the z.one, we can go to the bedside of the sickest patients and conduct the ultrasound exam without transporting them to the radiology department,” said Michelle Winningham, ultrasound supervisor for Providence. “This really makes a difference in patient care. Plus, the images are excellent and help us in providing confident diagnosis.”

The state’s largest hospital, Providence Alaska Medical Center provides full-service, comprehensive care to all Alaskans, a role unmatched by any other in the state. Committed to providing the most advanced imaging studies available today with the highest quality of diagnostic images, Providence Radiology Services is made up of a multidisciplinary team consisting of radiologists, technologists, nurses, aides, clerical staff, and transporters. Each plays a critical role by facilitating the patients through their procedures and providing diagnostic images and reports to the physicians so that the patients can be accurately diagnosed and treated. In addition to ultrasound, Providence Radiology offers comprehensive services including X-ray, CT, Nuclear Medicine and Interventional Radiology.

“We are very pleased to be partnering with such a prestigious hospital as Providence in bringing Zone Sonography technology to the residents of Alaska,” said Donald Southard, president and CEO of ZONARE. “The rapid acceptance of this unique technology is testimony to its premium image quality, flexibility and price to value ratio.”

Since the Sisters of Providence arrived in Alaska in 1902, Providence has served those in need with compassion and respect, consistently adhering to a high standard of excellence. Continuing that tradition today is a priority for everyone at Providence. We truly believe we have a moral obligation to our patients and residents to provide high quality, safe health care at a reasonable cost. Working with others in a spirit of loving service, we strive to meet the health needs of people as they journey through life. Working in partnership with health care providers throughout the state, we provide a lifetime of care for Alaskans of all ages. For further information, visit www.providence.org/alaska.

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

Michelle Winningham
Providence Alaska Medical Center
lmwinning@provak.org
907-261-3069