SonoSite 180 Hand-Carried Ultrasound System Chosen for NASA Astronaut Health Monitoring Program.

BOTHELL, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 1999--

SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO) today announced that Wyle Laboratories, under contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has purchased three SonoSite(TM) 180 all-digital, hand-carried ultrasound systems for its NASA development program to monitor astronaut health.

The SonoSite 180 system weighs 5.4 pounds, offers battery or AC power options and generates high-quality images comparable to those produced by larger, more expensive ultrasound machines.

"We chose the SonoSite 180 system because of its exceptional portability and outstanding image quality," said Douglas Butler, Wyle Labs Project Manager for the NASA Medical Operations Branch. "The system's small size and weight, and low power requirements make it ideal for the potential use in space or any mobile application. We expect that these revolutionary systems will expand the diagnostic services that we provide to NASA's astronauts."

"Wyle Laboratories' purchase of our systems for their NASA Medical Support and Integration Contract program affirms our belief that the SonoSite 180 system is `go anywhere' ultrasound," said Kevin M. Goodwin, president and CEO of SonoSite. "We are honored to have our products chosen for use in the nation's space program."

SonoSite, Inc., (www.sonosite.com) headquartered in Bothell, Washington, is developing a new class of highly portable, all-digital ultrasound systems that are designed to have the image quality of larger, more expensive systems but are small enough to be hand-carried from bedside to bedside and room to room in almost any clinical setting. SonoSite became an independent public company on April 6, 1998, as a result of a spin-off from ATL Ultrasound.

Wyle Laboratories supports government aero-medical research, engineering and test facilities by providing in-flight medical experiments, health monitoring, airborne electronics maintenance, computer networking and related services. Life sciences support is provided at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas and Brooks Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.

Forward-looking Information and the Private Litigation Reform Act

of 1995

Certain statements in this press release, including statements concerning potential impact on performance and those relating to market acceptance, are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the time the statements are made and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. The words "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. These statements are not guaranties of future performance and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Factors that could affect SonoSite's actual results include, among others, uncertainties as to the Company's ability to manage potential problems, delays or unanticipated expenses, and product acceptance by the medical community. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements that speak only as to the date of this release. Reference is made to SonoSite's latest annual report on Form 10-K/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more definitive description of such factors. SonoSite undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.