As we acknowledge Ultrasound Awareness Month, I think about how lucky I have been to witness the continuing evolution of what has become one of the fastest growing modalities in Medical Imaging. I remember the pixelated images from years past and I am as amazed as everyone with the technological advancements that have made Ultrasound what it is today. In addition to witnessing leaps in technology advancements, I have been around long enough to see the never-ending changes in the commercial landscape of the industry.
Back when I was a Radiology Director, the industry was dominated by three manufacturers, ATL (Advance Technology Laboratories), Acuson and Hewlett Packard for Cardiology. The major OEM’s were understandably more focused on the emerging “heavy metal” modalities of MRI and CT. Not to miss out on the growth projected for Ultrasound, Siemens acquired Acuson and Philips responded by acquiring ATL and HP. In what seemed like a relatively short period of time, the landscape of Ultrasound was changing.
I remember recruiting for the start-up Sonosite, developed under the ATL umbrella and credited by many with driving the Point-of-Care Ultrasound market. I can recall a conversation with a Sales Manager from Sonosite in their early days who made a comment I have never forgotton. He said “ Bill, in your lifetime, I predict that you will see a stethoscope hanging in a museum. Why would you listen when you can look?”
Sonosite grew rapidly focusing on providing Ultrasound Imaging at the point-of-care, realizing not every study required a large, full-featured system and a highly trained Sonographer. Today, bedside Ultrasound Imaging is being done by physicians, PA’s, Nurse Practitioners, Residents, Paramedics, and medical students, acquiring valuable information expeditiously and improving patient care. Sonosite was later acquired by Fujifilm. Today, when a more thorough and detailed exam is required, we have highly trained Sonographers performing General, Vascular, Cardiac, OB-Gyn, and now Musculoskeletal Imaging.
Despite ongoing consolidation, additional Ultrasound manufacturers have made a presence in the U.S. market. Mindray (who acquired Zonare, an OEM started by former Acuson executives) has become a force in the U.S. Ultrasound market. Samsung and their subsidiary, Boston Imaging, have also been making headway. I remember when Ultrasound done in the O.R. was dominated by two companies, BK (Copenhagen, Denmark) and Aloka, based in Connecticut. Aloka was acquired by Hitachi which was then acquired by Fujifilm. BK (who previously acquired Ultrasonix, Vancouver, B.C.) sold to GE and so the changing market continues.
Despite all these changes in the Ultrasound industry, one thing we can all be assured of is the continued growth of this cost effective, portable, non-ionizing, Imaging modality. Today, Ultrasound has become the “go-to study” whenever clinically warranted, and rightfully so! I can’t wait to see what the next decade is for Ultrasound.
This month we recognize and applaud all those who use this amazing technology to improve diagnosis and patient outcomes, those who manufacture, sell, train, and service this technology that we are so fortunate to have in our field of Medical Imaging.