Published July 2004

Technology Briefs

SonoSite buying Utah biotech
SonoSite Inc. of Bothell is buying a small Utah company that makes software for cardiovascular screening, potentially expanding the usefulness of SonoSite’s ultrasound devices for detecting heart disease.

The Utah company, SonoMetric Health Inc. of Salt Lake City, has developed software that automatically measures carotid artery walls. Thickened walls are an early sign of clogged arteries and heart disease.

SonoSite has targeted its hand-carried ultrasound devices specifically toward the cardiovascular market for several years. Some doctors have begun using ultrasound to quickly and noninvasively assess heart and artery problems.

SonoSite plans to integrate SonoMetric’s software program, called SonoCalc, into its ultrasound equipment in 2005, said Mike Schuh, SonoSite’s chief financial officer. SonoCalc, which was cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration last year, uses proprietary mathematical formulas to detect and measure the edges of artery walls.

Financial terms of the deal sale were not disclosed. SonoMetric has only a few employees and was just beginning to market its software, Schuh said. For that reason, the transaction shouldn’t have much effect on SonoSite’s financial results. Some of SonoMetric’s employees will be hired on a contract basis.

Intermec seals radio tag deal
Radley Corp. will partner with Intermec Technologies of Everett to help both companies’ customers develop comprehensive plans for adding radio frequency identification technology to track delivery and storage of products.

Intermec named Michigan-based Radley as an authorized partner in June. The companies have worked together on other projects for 15 years.

Intermec is a developer and manufacturer of wired and wireless automated data collection and mobile computing systems.

A division of Unova Inc., Intermec serves thousands of companies worldwide, including 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies and 60 percent of the Fortune 100, according to the company.

Back to the top/July 2004 Main Menu