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Siemens Medical Solutions is ushering in a new era of medicine with the launch of the world's smallest and first pocket ultrasound system. Siemens Medical Solutions is ushering in a new era of medicine with the launch of the world's smallest and first pocket ultrasound system. The ACUSON P10 hand held diagnostic ultrasound system is a little larger than a common PDA, weighs only 1.6 pounds, and fits easily into a lab coat pocket. It is intended for complementary initial diagnostic care and triage, particularly in cardiology, emergency care and obstetrics.

"Instead of having to rush the patient to the technology, the P10 system brings the technology to the patient. This can save critical minutes, especially when a patient is in cardiac distress or with trauma patients, who have multiple injuries," said Eyal Herzog, MD, FACC, director of the Cardiac Care Unit at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, in New York, and an ACUSON P10 system beta site user. "The application flexibility and portability of the P10 pocket ultrasound system mark significant changes in the way diagnostic and emergency care are administered, changes that could alter the face of the physical exam and, ultimately, lead to better patient outcomes."

The ACUSON P10 system can be used by physicians and medical personnel in a number of environments including intensive care units, ambulances and medevac helicopters. It can also be used to detect conditions that may be clinically significant, but have previously required expansive or invasive diagnostic testing in asymptomatic patients. The pocket ultrasound device has US Food and Drug Administration 510(k) clearance.

P10 in emergency medicine

In emergency situations, the hand held ACUSON P10 system allows for earlier, faster and more accurate screening and triage decisions. Its emergency applications include FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma) to detect fluid, determining cardiac activity and pericardial effusion as well as detecting abdominal aortic aneurysms and performing pelvic exams.

In addition to cardiac and emergency care, the ACUSON P10 pocket ultrasound system offers applications in other medical specialties, most notably obstetrics where it can be used in labor and delivery. Specifically, the device can determine fetal viability, fetal positioning, and amniotic fluid volume. Additional applications include veterinary medicine.

"In this era of instant access to information - and increased demand for medical mobility - the portable ACUSON P10 system complements existing technologies to fulfill the needs of both practitioners and patients," said Klaus Hambüchen, president, Siemens Medical Solutions, Ultrasound Division. "We like to refer to it as a visual stethoscope that enables substantiated and fast decision-making regarding the subsequent course of treatment for the patient. In addition, the ACUSON P10 pocket ultrasound system is multifunctional and will be used precisely where it is needed - close to the patient."

The ACUSON P10 system will be made available for direct purchase via the Siemens www.pocketultrasound.com Web site. The product may only be purchased and operated by licensed medical professionals.