GENOA, Italy, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Esaote S.p.A. (OTC: ESA IM; Milan: ESA), a leading global provider of non-invasive medical diagnostic imaging systems, today announced it will showcase its newest and most advanced products at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) exhibit in Chicago November 30 through December 5. Esaote will be in booth number 1719.
Esaote will demonstrate its Artoscan M, a new version of its Artoscan Dedicated Extremity MRI scanner, and its new AU5 Harmonic ultrasound system(1), at the show in Chicago.
All performance characteristics of Esaote's Artoscan have been enhanced in the Artoscan M product. The new system design allows easier and more flexible installation in only 9 square meters of space. It also provides higher quality images, more comfort for patients and a substantially reduced exam time, saving time and money for both doctor and patient.
Carlo Castellano, Esaote's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said the completely new Artoscan M design expresses the determination of Esaote "to remain the world leader in the market for dedicated MRI."
The AU5 Harmonic(1) is the first multidisciplinary ultrasound system which in its standard configuration allows doctors to optimize diagnostic examinations through the use of contrast agent, a technique widely expected to become one of the principal diagnostic ultrasound innovations over the next decade.
Mr. Castellano added: "The AU5 Harmonic represents a first result of our R&D program in cooperation with Bracco, one of the world's leading producers of contrast agents and a major Esaote shareholder."
The AU5 ultrasound system, already CE marked, completes Esaote's ultrasound systems range, which also includes the AU4, AU3 and Challenge. The AU5 Harmonic is already available to the international market, and will be available to the US market after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
By incorporating all transducer technologies (linear, convex, phased array and annular array), the AU5 is adapted to today's most diverse diagnostic requirements. It also offers the most advanced technologies, from second harmonic with contrast media to connectivity, and from interventional ultrasound to very high frequency. A truly interdisciplinary system, it has applications in vascular, obstetrics and gynecology, cardiology and neonatology, among others.
Additional information about Esaote and its products may be obtained from the Company's web site, http://www.esaote.com/.
(1) Available to the US market after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration
The Esaote Group, focused on ultrasound and dedicated MRI systems, is a world leader in the non-invasive diagnostic medical equipment market. Its US subsidiary, Biosound Esaote, is a principal US competitor in the private practice market for cardiac ultrasound equipment, with a market share exceeding 18 percent. Worldwide, Esaote operates in over 50 markets, including Italy, the US, France, Germany, Russia, China and the Latin American Mercosur countries. Esaote's 1996 net sales were 275 billion lire (US$156 million at current exchange rates) with net income of 11.2 billion lire (US$6.3 million). Esaote S.p.A. listed on the Milan Stock Exchange in June 1996.
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Source: Esaote S.p.A.
CONTACT: Pietro Amoretti of Esaote S.p.A., 39-10-6547-334,
pietro.amoretti@esaote.com; Anne McBride of The Anne McBride Co.,
212-983-1702, or mcbrideco@aol.com
Web site: http://www.esaote.com/