Studies Presented At ASE Meeting Demonstrate SonoHeart Hand-Carried Echocardiography Provides Accurate, Rapid and Effective Cardiac Diagnosis.

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 2000

Studies Conducted at Tufts, Cleveland Clinic, Oregon Health Sciences University and Mayo Clinic Evaluated System in Routine Exams, Critical

Care Settings, AAA Screenings and Compared to Conventional High End

Systems

SonoSite, Inc. (Nasdaq:SONO) today announced that five abstracts being presented at the 11th Annual Scientific Sessions of the American Society of Echocardiography currently underway in Chicago, demonstrate the accuracy, patient care benefits and efficacy of the ultraportable, 5.4-pound, all-digital SonoHeart(TM) hand-carried echocardiography device.

The studies were conducted by cardiologists at Tufts-New England Medical Center, the Cleveland Clinic, Oregon Health Sciences University and Mayo Clinic. Researchers evaluated the diagnostic quality of the SonoHeart system compared to larger, cart-based systems; its use in the rapid diagnosis of critically ill patients; its clinical value as an extension of the physical examination; and its use in assessing abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA).

The abstracts are being presented in the Poster Session of the meeting, scheduled to take place on Tuesday, June 13, from 1-5 p.m. Over 2,200 physicians are expected to attend this year's ASE event to learn about advances in echocardiography. SonoSite is exhibiting at this meeting, booth No. 201.

The five SonoHeart presentations at the ASE meeting include:

"Ultrasound Stethoscopy as an Extension of Clinical Examination During Hospital Patient Rounds: Preliminary Experience with a Hand-Held Miniaturized Echocardiography Instrument." Natesa G. Pandian, M.D., et al., Tufts-New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, examined the feasibility and potential of a fast bedside echocardiographic examination using the SonoHeart device during clinical rounds of 35 patients in the hospital setting. Researchers concluded that, "bedside echocardiography examination using SonoHeart hand-carried echocardiography was easy, practical, fast, accurate and had the potential to immediately provide the clinician with valuable information during routine patient rounds. Thus, ultrasound stethoscopy could become an important extension of conventional clinical examination of a patient."

"Initial Clinical Experience with an Ultra-portable Echocardiography for the Rapid Diagnosis and Evaluation of Critically Ill Patients." Michael S. Firstenberg, M.D., et al., Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, studied the application of the SonoSite system in a demanding cardiac critical care environment to facilitate the rapid diagnosis of potential cardiac emergencies. Researchers concluded that for limited echo exams, the SonoSite instrument could assist in the rapid evaluation of potentially life-threatening cardiac emergencies. The researchers determined that, "The low cost, ease of use, ultra-portability, and broad range of clinical applications made this an appealing valuable tool in the age of advanced high-technology critical care medicine and limited resources."

"Performance of a New Handheld Cardiac Ultrasound System: Comparative Imaging and Color Doppler Studies in Unselected Patients." David J. Sahn, M.D., et al., Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR, compared clinical studies using conventional high-end, cart-based echocardiographic scanners with the SonoHeart hand-carried echocardiography system. Dr. Sahn's group concluded that, "The SonoHeart system could be applied effectively for diagnostic echo studies not requiring spectral Doppler."

"Personal Ultrasound Imager: Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening." James B. Seward, M.D., et al., Mayo Clinic and the Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, evaluated the SonoSite device to determine whether it was capable of screening for AAA's in an "at risk" outpatient population and compared this with an established screening examination using standard echocardiography. Researchers concluded that the SonoSite device could be used to screen for unsuspecting AAA, stating, "Results are comparable to an established screening strategy employing more expensive, non-portable echocardiography. PUI's could be used to extend the physical examination for detection of AAA's."

"Personal Ultrasound Imager: Extension of the Cardiovascular Physical Examination." James B. Seward, M.D., et al., Mayo Clinic and the Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN, initiated the study to determine the feasibility and measurement accuracy of a prototype SonoSite system. Researchers determined that using the prototype, basic cardiac views and measurements were obtainable and corresponded adequately with those acquired with standard transthoracic echocardiography. The prototype with a curved linear array had limitations in assessing volumetric data, however, "gross anatomy and cardiovascular dimensions were very adequate for extension of the physical exam."

The ultra-portable SonoHeart system is indicated for focused echocardiography, a procedure that allows trained physicians to perform a brief and accurate cardiac assessment at the point of care. The system enables physicians to instantly access and document left ventricular function, chamber size, source of murmurs, wall thickness, valve regurgitation, cardiomyopathies and more. Performing focused echocardiography during an exam can also allow physicians to rule out the need for a time intensive and costly full echocardiography exam that may not be needed.

SonoSite, Inc., (www.sonosite.com) headquartered in Bothell, Washington, develops, manufactures, markets and sells a new class of hand-carried, all-digital ultrasound systems designed to incorporate the image quality of larger, more expensive systems into ultraportable products, allowing easy transport from patient to patient or site to site.

Forward-looking Information and the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Certain statements in this press release, including statements concerning market acceptance and performance 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-Q 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 anticipated events.