Aloka Co., Ltd. Diagnostic Ultrasound Systems Production Exceeds 200,000 Units

TOKYO, Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Aloka Co., Ltd. announced that since the introduction of their A-mode diagnostic ultrasound system, Model SSD-2 in 1960, the cumulative production of diagnostic ultrasound systems, its mainstay product, has exceeded 200,000 units as of December 31, 2006 as a world first as a single brand.

* as best knowledge by Aloka.

The worldwide demand for diagnostic ultrasound systems in recent years is reportedly about 90,000 units yearly. It may therefore be said, analogously, that Aloka alone has supplied all ultrasound diagnostic systems in the world for more than two consecutive years.

In 1960, Aloka diagnostic ultrasound systems were introduced as Japan's first B-mode (tomographic image) breast imaging system. Export to various countries started in the late 1960s with many Aloka units used worldwide. Aloka leads the world in developing and commercializing innovative features indispensable to current diagnostic ultrasound systems, i.e., convex sector probe and the Color Doppler that enables blood flow imaging.

Milestones of 200,000 Ultrasound Diagnostic Systems Produced

History of Diagnostic Ultrasound System Development

In 1950, then Professor Kenji Tanaka from Juntendo University School of Medicine, Department of Surgery, and Dr. Toshio Wagai (Professor Emeritus at Juntendo University School of Medicine) visited Japan Radio Co., Ltd. They offered to apply marine animal detector technology for imaging of the human body. Using this system, we started applying ultrasound technology to medicine in cooperation with the department.

Development of Real-time Display

To examine moving organs such as the heart, the images must be displayed in real time. Aloka took the initiative in developing a real-time ultrasound examination system. It announced the results of its work at the 1971 conference of the Japan Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine.

Development of Color Doppler

In 1980, Aloka started development of a two-dimensional blood flow imaging technique (Color Doppler) for the real-time imaging of blood flow. The results of its work were announced at the 1982 Third Meeting of the World Society of Ultrasonics in Medicine. In 1983, Aloka released the world's first cardiovascular Color Doppler system (SSD-880) and two years later, the world's first intraoperative and abdominal Color Doppler system (SSD-350).

Development of Three-dimensional Display

Today, three-dimensional ultrasound systems display detailed expressions and movements of a fetus. Aloka commercialized three-dimensional display function in 1996 and most of Aloka systems feature this function as an option.

ProSound Series

Aloka markets its ProSound Series of diagnostic ultrasound systems around the world as user-friendly systems. Its ultrasound diagnostic systems will continue to evolve as easy-to-use diagnostic imaging modalities.

"Starting out as a pioneer of ultrasound diagnostic systems, Aloka has produced more than 200,000 units since the dawn of this technology," says Yoshihiro Yoshikawa, PhD, President of Aloka Co, Ltd. "This has only been possible with the support of all concerned, including doctors and sonographers who use the products, as well as university professors who provided us with valuable advice and assistance, associated companies, our employees and senior managers. We will continue to the health care industry through our development of user-friendly diagnostic ultrasound systems."

Corporate Profile

Aloka Co., Ltd. is a pioneer in development of diagnostic ultrasound systems. Our diagnostic ultrasound systems are used worldwide.

Aloka's corporate philosophy is encapsulated in the words, "The preciousness of life" and "Save as many lives as possible." Under this philosophy, Aloka's creativity and technological innovation will continually evolve to serve both patients and health-care professionals. Aloka is committed to the creation of a society based on a friendly relationship between medicine and people.

www.aloka.com Source: Aloka Co., Ltd.

Aloka Co., Ltd.

CONTACT: Masanobu Tada, Marketing Department, Aloka Co., Ltd.,+81-422-45-9247, tada1486@am.aloka.co.jp

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