Picture: Esme Allen

The 2009 Frost & Sullivan European Product Quality Leadership Award in the Ultrasound Market is conferred on SonoScape. The award recipient has effectively analyzed existing market challenges - the need for special features, pricing, and portability - and introduced the S8 hand-carried ultrasound (HCU). The performance of this high-end colour Doppler HCU compares with that of a regular, high-end, cart-based echo ultrasound system.

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"The S8 is versatile in performance," notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Shriram Shanmugham. "It uses a 15 MHz linear transducer, 512 super high density transducers, and is the only echocardiography system that also offers 4D imagining capability. None of the company's competitors offers such a combination of 4D and high-end echocardiography technology affording portability."

In terms of product reliability, S8 is distinguished by its tranesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and paediatric TEE capability. Uniquely, the S8 offers TEE at a multi-plane level, allowing a physician to better analyze the generated image - especially when the patient is a child.

The S8 has an exceptional product design, both in terms of physical appeal and ergonomics. The design allows two transducers to be connected simultaneously, which is matched by only one other competitor.

"However, the S8 is the smallest in design and being compact allows for easy portability," remarks Shanmugham. "Moreover, its image quality is superior because SonoScape is the undisputed pioneer when it comes to colour enhanced ultrasound image detection." Shanmugham adds that S8's ultimate image quality stems from the adoption of 12 cutting-edge technological features that include micro-scan, IMT, and multi-beam processing.

Product usability is another strong point of the S8. The product offers superior special attributes, offering 12 features despite being a hand carried ultrasound. Some of the prominent special features it offers include: volumetric 4D imaging, multi-plane adult and pediatric TEE, real-time matching technology and panoramic imaging. Notwithstanding these multiple features, its user-interface is designed in a simple format and hardly any training is required for its use.

"SonoScape's administration, R&D initiatives, marketing and sales are concerned entirely with ultrasound," states Shanmugham. "As a result, SonoScape offers the lowest pricing for its superior quality products."

For instance, the S8 is 25 to 30 per cent less expensive than its closest competitor. In spite of its low price, the S8 excels in image quality, design, compactness and special features.

"Owing to its manufacturing facilities in China, SonoScape is able to provide the S8 at a much lower cost, without compromising on features or image quality," explains Shanmugham. "In the long run, SonoScape's product line will add value to clients, both in terms of quality assurance and in meeting healthcare budget initiatives."

For the Product Quality Leadership Award, the following criteria were used to benchmark the award recipient's performance against key competitors: product performance, product reliability, product design, product usability and perceived value.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About SonoScape Co., Ltd.

Based on Shenzhen, China, SonoScape has committed to provide high standard medical equipment for healthcare of human beings. The company specializes only in manufacturing and developing ultrasound systems and transducers. Nowadays, it faithfully focuses on supplying customer-focused and reliable equipments for all clinics and hospitals.