SonoSite Joins Office of the Future Research and Development Consortium.

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 1999--

--Tomorrow's Technology Showcased Today at the American Academy 

of Family Physicians Scientific Assembly in Orlando--

SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO) today announced that the Company has joined Office of the Future, a research and development consortium whose mission is to create the physician's office of the future through the integration of technology, information and design.

The consortium is developing exam and procedure rooms that enhance provider productivity, eliminate redundancy, promote patient satisfaction, enhance device compatibility, incorporate new tools and technology and maximize cost effectiveness.

The consortium plans to integrate SonoSite's revolutionary, 5.4 pound, hand-carried ultrasound device, the SonoSite(TM) 180 system, into the Office of the Future concept. SonoSite is premiering the SonoSite 180 system to family practice physicians at the 51st Annual Scientific Assembly of the American Academy of Family Physicians (Booth no. 2380) currently underway in Orlando.

"The SonoSite 180 ultrasound system fits beautifully into our Office of the Future concept of integrating sleek design, cutting-edge technology and efficiency," said Louise McDonald of Welch Allyn, and co-director of the Office of the Future project. "The system's innovative design, high quality imaging, portability and affordability will greatly enhance office functionality, efficiency, cost effectiveness and help facilitate the patient-physician relationship."

"We believe our products and technology represent the future of physical exams," said Kevin M. Goodwin, president and CEO of SonoSite. "As we enter into the new millennium, the SonoSite 180 system is poised to become an invaluable frontline diagnostic tool in the physician's office, allowing physicians to expand the routine use of ultrasound to make fast, more accurate assessments of patients."

Established in 1996 to expand the physician office's electronic capabilities, the Office of the Future project continues to evolve through ongoing research at several provider sites in the United States. Along with SonoSite and Welch Allyn, the consortium also includes co-founder Midmark Corporation, American Express Healthcare Finance, American Medical Development, Inc., GE Marquette Medical Systems, Health Care Data Systems, Hewlett-Packard, Lunar Corporation, Physician Micro Systems, Inc., Schiller AG, Sony Electronics Medical Systems and Tanita Corporation. More information on Office of the Future is available on the internet at www.welchallyn.com/medical/products/catalog/office, or by contacting Rosemarie Nelson, market development manager, Welch Allyn, 315/685-2615, and Kerry Heitkamp, project manager, Midmark Corporation, 937/526-8243.

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 will be small enough to be hand-carried from bedside to bedside and room to room in almost any clinical setting. SonoSite (Nasdaq:SONO) became an independent public company on April 6, 1998, as a result of a spin-off from ATL Ultrasound.

Forward-looking Information and the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995 Certain statements in this press release, including statements concerning impact on Office of the Future efficiency, performance and cost effectiveness 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.