A History of

People and Technology

Since the seventies, continuous research and the genius of experienced men and
women of technology have made impressive achievements in the biomedical field
of ULTRASOUND IMAGING a reality.

Special thanks to all Esaote People who cooperated with us on this important Project:
with the contribution from both Men and Women, it became a Reality.

ESAOTE: Where People Make the Difference

2005 - Strategic Corporate Marketing - Esaote Spa - Genoa (Italy)

A History of People and Technology: 30 Years of Technological Evolution (1975-2005) ................................................................................ 5

Ultrasound Products History ..................................................................................................................................................... 29
ECHOVISOGRAPH .................................................................................................................................................................. 30
ECHOPROCESSOR .................................................................................................................................................................. 31
ECHOSCAN .......................................................................................................................................................................... 32
NEW SECTOR IMAGER / SSI (portable version) ................................................................................................................................ 33
SIM 3000 ............................................................................................................................................................................ 34
SIM 4000i/c ......................................................................................................................................................................... 35
AU 1000 (GP) -ESACORD 90 (Cardio) ........................................................................................................................................... 36
AU 420 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 37
SIM 5000 PLUS ...................................................................................................................................................................... 38
SIM 7000 CFM - Challenge ........................................................................................................................................................ 39
Panoramic Multiplane TE Probe ................................................................................................................................................. 40
Space Missions: STS-50 - STS-65 - STS-71 ...................................................................................................................................... 41
AU 530 .............................................................................................................................................................................. 42
WALL TRACK MOTION - ART.LAB ................................................................................................................................................ 43
AU4 IDEA ............................................................................................................................................................................ 44
Multiplane Laparoscopic Probe LP13A ......................................................................................................................................... 45
Modular Intraoperative Probe IOE13A .......................................................................................................................................... 46
AU3 PARTNER ...................................................................................................................................................................... 47
AU5 EPI ............................................................................................................................................................................. 48
CARIS family ........................................................................................................................................................................ 49
MEGAS family ...................................................................................................................................................................... 50
TECHNOS family ................................................................................................................................................................... 51
PICUS family ....................................................................................................................................................................... 52
MyLab World ........................................................................................................................................................................ 53

Summary

A History of People and Technology

30 Years of Technological Evolution (1975-2005)

The Company: Esaote, started in the seventies

The Man: Carlo Castellano - Chairman/Managing Director
The Idea: to invest in new medical technology, combining standard electronic
components with new technologies to create high-end performance medical
equipment accessible to all. Being able to offer products that are affordable
to every kind of customer increases the use of non-invasive diagnostic imaging
worldwide.
The Challenge: started in Italy (Genoa and Florence) and then expanded into
Europe (Maastricht), now present in the worldwide market.
The Strategy: in 1986 the strategic plan is presented. It involves easy-tomove products targeted at the private cardiovascular market. The possibility
to offer Color Doppler as an optional module dedicated to all diagnostic
applications increases the products value.
The Action: the acquisition of OTE Biomedica provides the industrial capability
to produce new products and technologies at competitive costs. Following
the industrial policy driven by Andrea Oberti, the acquisition of Pie Medical
adds new knowledge in low-end ultrasound products and in dedicated software
6

for the quantification of cardiovascular diseases.

The Target: today the company is specialized in the development and
manufacturing of ultrasound equipment designed to offer:
high diagnostic and multipurpose capabilities
new technologies in mid-range products
innovative design and new easy-to-use standards in all systems

All the companys activities are aimed at producing new ultrasound equipment
at excellent price performance ratios, while widening the opportunities to
expand sales into all clinical applications.
Esaote As a Whole
Esaote is changing. Despite an expanding World of Esaote, it still remains
the major European ultrasound producer with all its main facilities based
in Europe.
9

Many of the most dramatic changes and new technological innovations in

healthcare have occurred in the last 20 to 30 years, a time when Esaotes
biomedical engineers started to achieve concrete results in their diagnostic
imaging research. These advances play such a vital role in modern medicine
that it is difficult to imagine how it used to be before their introduction.
Esaotes strategic marketing, driven by Fabrizio Landi, has brought the
companys focus to medium-range products while paying special attention
to the price performance ratio. This strategy has become the key to Esaotes
success and characterizes the overall trend in the global ultrasound market,
nationally and internationally.
Esaotes engineers developed highly sensitive color Doppler systems, harmonic
imaging, echocardiography and ultrasound contrast agents, as well as
compact ultrasound systems with miniature components.
The company is determined to continue doing its best in the future, to ensure
that the customer continues to choose Esaote because of the unforgettable
day-to-day imaging experience with the systems.

10

11

Innovation Becomes a Day-to-Day Reality

High diagnostic and multipurpose capabilities

Another key to Esaotes success

is the cooperation between the
R&D and Product Marketing
departments. This team
improves the companys
capability to be focused on the
real diagnostic imaging needs
of its customers.
Esaotes marketing groups work
constantly on innovative
strategies to keep the company
one step ahead of the fastpasted world of global
technology.
They also are the liaison
between the three R&D centers
(Genoa, Florence, Maastricht)
and a group of leading European
reference centers in diagnostic
imaging.

Florence, R&D Team (2005)

The Esaote engineering groups accept the strategic challenge to develop products
to further penetrate the national and international ultrasound market. The
extremely positive outcome on all levels has been gained through the widened
multipurpose capability implemented on every single product manufactured by
Esaote.
A very low human resources turnover is the essence of Esaotes success: people
have always represented the primary value of the company. With an average of
6000 ultrasound systems sold annually all over the world, Esaote has grown to be
the sixth largest ultrasound company in the world and the only one in Europe, with
1300 employees actively engaged.

The companys R&D department is a unique combination of the strengths of three research
groups: in Florence, the R&D group is specialized in the Cardiovascular application segment,
in Genoa the R&D group is involved in General Purpose Imaging and in Maastricht the R&D team
focuses on smaller systems for the Obstetrics and Gynecology and Veterinary markets.
12

With the recent expansion of the product-range, Esaotes additional services

and performances have been increased. The company has been listening
carefully to what the customers want. Placing the customers values and
confidence in the products reliability has always been the way things have
been done at Esaote, and that will continue into the future.

13

New technologies in mid-range products

In 30 years of history, Esaote has produced an impressive number of new
patents and proprietary technologies.
The company has often been the pioneer in advanced technologies that are
now standard in all products present in the market, for example, annular
technology with dynamic variable aperture. The engineering group in Florence
introduced the concept within cardiac ultrasound of focusing the annular
arrays, while having the possibility to optimize the ultrasound beam in all
fields of view (dynamic focusing). This enhances the image quality substantially
in all applications.
In 1992, the research team in Genoa found the solution to combining high
image resolution with high frequency capability to improve penetration
and field of view. A new synergy between image resolution and field of view
penetration in deeper image layers was created. Additionally, the innovative
technology of broadband arrays allows the use of multiple frequencies on
the same probe and offers the possibility to select between resolution and
penetration without having to change probe.
14

Maastricht, R&D Team (1995)

In 1993, the Maastricht R&D group presented the first Wall Track System to
measure blood vessel wall properties. The team was able to transform this
research tool into an advanced commercial product, which has become a
gold standard in all scientific ultrasound examinations oriented to access
vascular risks.

15

In 1994, the Genoa R&D group presented the first multipurpose system with
frequencies up to 20 MHz, the AU4 Idea ultrasound system. This was the fruit
of ten years of research on innovative technologies in transducers and created
a new standard in small parts clinical diagnoses.
In the year 1995, the Florence R&D team presented the first truly complete
multipurpose ultrasound system with annular, linear and convex capabilities
with reduced dimensions and innovative ergonomics. The AU3 became the
best-selling Esaote product worldwide.
Recently, there has been substantial research carried out on tissue
characterization, in order to make better use of the extremely rich amount
of information that comes back with the echo signal. So far, ultrasound
scanners have only made use of the intensity information, which is the basis
of the construction of the traditional B-Mode image.
The frequency and phase content of the echo is mostly discarded (except in
Doppler examinations) for the simple reason that its interpretation would be
very difficult and that current ultrasound systems do not have enough
computing power to exploit it fully.
16

Genoa, R&D Team (2005)

However, Esaotes research is progressing quickly and the cost of computing

power is continuously decreasing. Therefore, it is easy to forecast that,
sooner or later, new systems for tissue characterization will become available
to further aid diagnosis.

17

Excellent, long-term results in the Italian ultrasound market have been

obtained due to the widespread distribution and customer-focused marketing
and sales strategies managed by Renzo Muzi.
At the same time, the worldwide success of all the products is thanks to a
completely new direct distribution network created by the recently reorganized
International Sales division. Starting in 1992, Esaote became a force in the
international ultrasound market. Carlo Mannelli had been given the challenge
to create an International Sales & Marketing distribution network starting
from the European market and widening to the Far-East countries.
Thanks to the encouraging sales results, Esaote opened direct subsidiaries
in various strategic markets. New offices such as Biosound-Esaote in the
USA, Esaote France, Esaote Germany, Esaote Spain, Esaote LatinoAmerica,
Esaote China and Esaote Moscow Representative Office for CIS Countries
arise worldwide. At this point, all independent distributors are closely
connected to the Esaote strategy and are an active part of the Esaote World.
This success makes Esaote the sixth largest medical diagnostic company in
the world with 8% market share of the worldwide ultrasound market.
18

Genoa, R&D People at Work (1985-1990)

19

Innovative design and new easy-to-use standard in all systems

Even in the design field Esaote has become a leader in innovation: the new
user interface concept with a central trackball and several function keys
became a new standard starting in 1990.
In 1994, the AU4 Idea created a new standard in ergonomics by housing
innovative functions in a reduced dimension system with direct and advanced
peripherals management.
In 2000, the Technos Family systems became the precursor of a new family
of products; one focused on a unique and completely redesigned ergonomic
style with a new fully adjustable keyboard, both in height and rotation.
One of the most important aspects of ultrasound is its unique characteristic
of being simultaneously a flexible, non-invasive, real-time and low-cost
method of diagnostic imaging.
These attributes make it the best choice for monitoring minimally invasive
surgical procedures such as thermo-ablation, and the Esaote engineers know
it. That is why they are continuously focused on designing concrete tools and
optional accessories to facilitate the end user.
20

21

Thirty years have elapsed since the very first Esaote ultrasound system was
conceived by the engineering groups: many imaging experts believe that
compact ultrasound will become dominant within the next 10 years, and
Esaote is actively focused on making this concept a reality.
Past and Future Developments in Diagnostic Imaging
In the last ten years since the celebrations of the centennial (1995) of
diagnostic imaging, the world has witnessed a real breakthrough in the field.
These years have been remarkable for the rate of innovation all people of
technology have brought about.
Present and future trends in diagnostic ultrasound are still influenced by
the significant developments of imaging modalities in the past decades. It
has been noted that more progress had been made in the last quarter of the
first century of imaging than in the previous 75 years (e.g. the almost
simultaneous introduction of CT, MRI and ultrasound, not to mention PET
and SPECT modalities).
But the progress made from 1995 to 2005 has been even more rapid and
incisive, and Esaote has been an active part of it.
22

23

In the core Esaote business ultrasound engineers in all facilities have

actively contributed to the momentous transition from analog to digital
hardware.
This has brought an increase in the image quality and in the operational
capabilities of the diagnostic ultrasound system. However, the implications
of this milestone transition go far beyond these two achievements.
Indeed, digital processing immediately offered the possibility to apply
techniques that, although investigated theoretically in the past, never made
it to clinical reality because of their prohibitive cost.
An example of this has been the introduction of harmonic imaging, soon
followed by new techniques to best exploit the availability of ultrasound
contrast agents.
Today, ultrasound is no longer a single imaging modality, but a plurality of
techniques adapted to different clinical needs, and the Esaote engineers
concretely study its potential and implement these technologies in new
products. As is often the case, new developments spur further research and
novel applications.
24

25

MyLab50

AU5EPI

AU3 Partner

Advances in Ergonomics (ESAOTE 1995-2005)

Ultrasound imaging is riding a new wave of technology with techniques being

introduced at an accelerated rate, such as those for tissue characterization
based on the analysis of the raw ultrasound signal.
Given the current trend in healthcare towards a one-stop-shop approach,
it is anticipated that diagnostic ultrasound will increasingly be used for various
applications: the R&D teams of Esaote operatively represent the continuity
between the past and the future technical discoveries in diagnostic imaging
and its potential developments.

At Esaote, people of technology look and learn from the past while concentrating
on the possibilities for the future.

26

27

ESAOTE: Where People Make the Difference

28

Ultrasound Products History

29

1978

The first Mono-Probe Ultrasound System

designed and developed in the Florence Lab
for Cardiology and Ob/Gyn applications
Presented at the Worldwide Ultrasound
Congress of Cardiology in Tokyo in 1978

ECHOVISOGRAPH

(M. Cerofolini)

Mono-probe ultrasound system

A-Mode and M-Mode tracing for Cardiology
Real-time linear arrays for Ob/Gyn
Interchangeable 2.25-3.5 MHz transducers
for Cardiological, Abdominal, Peripheral,
Obstetrical applications
High resolution display with grey scale
capability
Easy operation
Conformity with all international safety
standards

The Easy-Operation Ultrasound System

30

1980

The first Modular Mono-Probe Ultrasound

Echocardiograph manufactured in the
Florence Lab for Cardiac Imaging
The first Ultrasound System certified by
IMQ to guarantee the full safety for both
patient and operator
The first significant commercial result
in terms of brand image and sales

ECHOPROCESSOR

(M. Cerofolini, E. Trisolini)

Mono-probe system (sector array) with automatic

scanning (optional) and possibility to easily upgrade
to bi-dimensional imaging
3 signal processing
A-Mode and M-Mode tracing
Polygraphic channel (7 ECG derivations)
Reduced dimensions and maneuverability
Bi-dimensional expandibility
High-res fiber optic recorder

Ease-of-Use, Reliability and Compactness

31

1981

The first Mono-Probe Ultrasound

System (Echovisograph platform)
developed by the Florence Lab for
Ob/Gyn applications

ECHOSCAN

(M. Cerofolini, E. Trisolini)

Mono-probe ultrasound system

B-Mode imaging for Ob/Gyn examinations
Real-time linear scanning
Linear arrays with internal multiplexer

The Real-Time Ob/Gyn Scanner

32

1982-83

The first Mechanical Sector

Echocardiograph manufactured in the
Florence Lab for Cardiac Section
Imaging with Portable Version available
(SSI)

Sector Probe

Sector Imager

SSI (8300SI)

SECTOR IMAGER
SSI (portable version)

(M. Cerofolini, G. Bavaj)

Mono-probe system (sector array) with automatic scanning

Fully digital image
Sector angle: 30, 60, 90
The smallest transducer (lightweight and easy-to-handle)
Wide range of frequencies
M-Mode on movable M-Line
2D image and echopolygraphic tracing print
Small Sector Imager (SSI): the first portable version for ambulatory
or ward echographic diagnosis (called 8300SI in USA)

Your Mechanical Sector Echocardiograph

33

1984

The first Portable Echocardio

Scanner with High Resolution
Mechanical Sector Probes for
Cardiology, Internal Medicine and
Gynecology fields
The first ultrasound system with
External Steerable PW/CW Module
based on FFT analysis
The smallest system in real-time
scanning with 14,4 kg weight

SIM 3000

(M. Cerofolini, G. Bavaj)

Real-time high-res mechanical sector probes

Lightweight mobile echocardiograph system
Improved image quality using microprocessor signal processing
Movable M-Mode cursor on 2D image
Full biometry (distances, slope, areas, circumferences, volumes)
Small head easy-to-handle two-dimensional transducers (2.5-3.5-5.0-7.5 MHz)
3.5 MHz dynamic focusing probe
Doppler module and software extension
Easy to operate to give morphologic and functional information of cardiac structures even in
surgical practice
High performance at a competitive price with small size and reduced weight

An Answer to Your Clinical Queries. Anywhere

34

1985

The first Portable General Purpose Ultrasound System

with Annular Array Sector Technology (SIM 4000i)
The first Portable Real-Time Cardiac Ultrasound System
with Annular Array Sector Technology (SIM 4000c)
The smallest size ever seen in Ultrasound Equipment
for both emergency cases and routine examinations
(14,4 kg weight)

The National
Aeronautics & Space
Administration of
America (NASA) invites
ESAOTE to start a
cooperation for an
Ultrasound System
specially dedicated to
Space Missions!

SIM 4000i/c

(M. Cerofolini, B. Greppi)

Real-time annular array sector technology to dinamically focus the

ultrasound beam (dynamic focusing)
Concentric independent time phased rings inside lightweight transducer
with frequency up to 7.5 MHz
PW/CW Doppler based on FFT analysis
A, B, B+M, M, Doppler (optional) Modes
Microprocessor technology
Automatic/manual TGC control to optimize M-Mode and 2D imaging
Dual ECG triggering
High memory capability (2 M-Mode or 2D images, last 4 acquired frames)
Full on-line biometry (distance, time, velocity, perimeter, area, volume,
fractional shortening, ejection fraction)
General Imaging, Obstetrics/Gynecology, Pediatrics/Neonatology, Small
Parts, Cardiology (Adult, Pediatric, Neonatal), Vascular
Obstetrics calculation packages
Extended versatility, compactness, portability, lightweight, design,
flexibility, ease of operation

Your Portable Annular Array Sector Scanner

35

1986

AU 1000 (GP) - ESACORD 90 (Cardio)

The first Multipurpose Ultrasound System

manufactured in the Genoa Lab with High
Frequency Transducers up to 10 MHz
Exclusively designed by Giugiaro with
the first adjustable keyboard to select
the best ergonomic position
(F. Pomata - M. Mazzarella, R. Muzi)

B/W real-time imaging

A-Mode, B-Mode, B+M-Modes, M-Mode
3.5-5.0-7.5 MHz annular array (mechanical sector)
10 MHz water path probe for Small Parts exams
3.5 MHz electronic linear array
Special probes for endoscopic exams
High velocity PW/CW Doppler
Doppler calculations
Body marks, patient data availability
Vascular, General Purpose, Obstetrics, Cardiology, Small Parts, Endoscopic
Ergonomic design, reduced dimensions and weight, flexibility
High-res fiber optic recorder

High Diagnostic Capability in Linear & Sector Imaging

36

1988

Electronic Ultrasound Scanner manufactured

in the Genoa Lab with High Performance Image
Quality using new technology based on dynamic
receiving filters
The first system to focus up to 192 points in
receiving mode with 10 MHz probe dedicated
to Small Parts exams

AU 420

(F. Pomata - M. Mazzarella, R. Muzi)

B/W imaging
A, B, M Modes
Dynamic receiving filters with up to 192 focus points (highperformance 10 MHz probe)
3.5-5.0 MHz linear array
Multi-element annular array (mechanical sector)
3.5-5.0-7.5 annular array (mechanical sector) for Cardiology
7.5-10 MHz water path sector probes for Small Parts
Special probes for Intraoperative, Transrectal, Biopsy
applications
Adjustable biopsy marker

High Performance: 10 MHz Probe for Small Parts

37

1988

The first Portable General Purpose and

Cardiovascular Ultrasound System with
Annular Array Technology, Integrated
Steerable PW/CW and High PRF
The smallest size
ever seen for
an ultrasound
system

SIM 5000 PLUS

(M. Cerofolini, B. Greppi)

2D - Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Dual 2D - Systole/diastole

Duplex system (2D/M-Mode/Doppler PW-HPRF-CW)

Optional high-sensitivity Doppler module based on digital FFT analysis
High-res image quality thanks to dynamic focusing on annular array transducers
Concentric independent time phased rings inside lightweight transducer
Wide range of transducers: annular array (imaging/Doppler PW-HPRF), split element
(imaging/Doppler PW-HPRF-CW) and pedof (Doppler PW-CW)
Precise advanced TGC gain control

M-Mode - Left ventricle

Real-time and off-line advanced measurements/calculations on imaging and MMode/Doppler tracings

Very high memory capability
Easy to upgrade via software
Cardiology, Angiology, Internistic, Pediatrics/Neonatal, Small Parts
Ease of use, flexible, easily integrable inside cart, advanced performances
Innovative design: compact, integrated, lightweight, reduced dimensions

2D/CW Doppler - Aortic steno-insufficiency

The Cardiovascular Portable Duplex

High Technology is Efficiency, Imaging, Doppler
38

1990

SIM 7000 CFM - Challenge

The first Portable Ultrasound Color System with

Multifrequency Annular Array
The technological breakthrough in Advanced Integration:
B-Mode/M-Mode+Color+Stress Echo package
The affordable, reliable, cardiovascular
and True Portable Color
Simple, versatile, flexible in an Open Architecture

TE Probe

Angios Probes

Annular Probes

(called Genesis II in USA)

(M. Cerofolini, B. Greppi)

2D, M-Mode
Multi-Mode Color Flow Mapping (CFM) capability
Ultrasensitive steerable PW/CW Doppler
HPRF
2 to 15 MHz annular AA-C multi-element probe family with excellent sensitivity and wider
bandwidth
Panoramic TE probe
High frequency 7.5-10 MHz Angios probe for Vascular exams (TransArray technology)
Multi-channels dynamic phasing and variable aperture for advanced beam focusing
Electronic dynamic focusing
2D and M-Mode high-res zoom
Flexible scrolling
Continuous loop memory
Digital image archival for off-line analysis and follow-up
Programmable report generator
Easy and quick measurements
Cardiology, Pediatrics, Neonatalogy, Vascular, Transesophageal, Stress Echo (IMS)
Ergonomic design, light, compact, expandible from a desk top model to a fully configured
system with trolley, RGB high-res monitor and peripherals

39

The Portable Color - Unlimited Performance

The Challenge to the Highest Quality
Requirements in Cardiovascular Diagnostic
Ultrasound

1990

Panoramic Multiplane TE Probe

The smallest Multiplane TE Probe with

Annular Array Technology
The innovative design incorporates a
stepping motor in the probe head
defining a new standard
in TE size worldwide
(M. Cerofolini)

Advanced composite ceramics technology

The widest possible dynamic range
5.0-7.5 MHz imaging
3.3-5.0 MHz Doppler
Excellent color sensitivity and superb anatomic detail
Transverse/longitudinal scan planes
Lightweight design, slim shaft, smooth articulation
Shaft diameter: 9,5 mm
Shaft length: 110 mm
Shaft orientation: 120 up/down - left/right
Easy to handle, safe to use, comfortable for patient (14 mm tip width)
Cardiology (ICU, emergency room, private office)

Transesophageal Imaging - A Unique Wide Sector Format

40

July 1994

July 1995

Annular Probes

Space Missions:
STS-50 - STS-65 - STS-71

June 1992

I am a Canadian sonographer and was working with a group of investigators

who had grant from the Canadian Space Agency to study back pain in
astronauts and we used the Biosound unit on two shuttle flights - June 92
and July 94.
..The unit worked perfectly for the remainder of the mission!
Source: Vickie Lessoway - Biosound Inc, Vol. 2, Issue 1, page 6

Esaote cooperates with the NASA and our

up-to-date Ultrasound System is installed
inside the shuttle for three Space
Missions: STS-50 - STS-65 - STS-71

(M. Cerofolini)

41

AU 530

1990

The first Multipurpose Ultrasound B/W System with

Very High Frequency Annular Probe up to 15 MHz.
After 10 years the VHFS technology became a standard
in the Ultrasound field
The first Ultrasound System with Multifrequency
Capability offering two-three frequencies on one only
probe. This new technology became a standard and
overcame the dilemma of combining image
penetration and resolution and offered a real
technological breakthrough in Ultrasound applications
The first Biplane Annular Array Transrectal Probe
with real-time longitudinal and transversal scanning
(F. Pomata, L. Schiavini)

VHFS (Very High Frequency Sonography) up to 15 MHz annular probe

Linear/convex/annular phased/single element arrays
2.5-15 MHz probe range
7.5-15 MHz high-frequency probes for Small Parts exams
Multifrequency annular array technology
Endorectal and endovaginal special probes
High sensitivity steerable PW/CW Doppler based on FFT blood flow analysis
High speed analog continuous focusing to obtain uniform high resolution over the entire ultrasound image
2D, M-Mode, Doppler analyses with advanced computation packages
6 different presetting functions
General Purpose, Ob/Gyn, Small Parts, Cardiology, Vascular, Pediatrics/Neonatal, Urology
Versatile, compact, expandable and flexible system

Ultrasound Ahead of Our Time

Breaking the Wall of Resolution
Versatile Multimode Ultrasound System
MHz Can Make a Difference
New Standard in Dermatology
The State-of-the-Art in Small Parts Sonography
42

The first Wall Track System (WTS) manufactured by Esaote

to measure blood vessel wall properties like diameter, change
in diameter (distension) and vessel wall thickness (IMT)
The result of many years of research of the Ultrasound
Group at the University of Maastricht
(Prof. Dr. ir. A.P.G. Hoeks - Prof. Dr. R.S. Reneman,
J. Geijsen, W. Luiten)
Wall Track System in use for clinical
research at the University of
Maastricht (1992)

WALL TRACK SYSTEM - ART.LAB

1992 (ART.LAB 2005)

Echo scanner add on (connection to the front-end of a scanner)

Primarily designed as a research tool for clinical studies, then accepted as the
standard for measuring vessel wall function
Vessel wall properties related to cardiovascular risk factors for early detection
of cardiovascular disease
Based on dedicated time domain radio frequency (RF) signal processing for the
measurement of blood vessel wall properties (diameter, distension and vessel
wall thickness)
Great advantage coming from RF-signal processing for the use of phase and
amplitude information (from tissue and blood) without compromise

A Complete Configuration for Identification of Cardiovascular Risk Factor

Measure Vascular Wall Properties Non-Invasively
43

AU4 IDEA

1994

The first Multidisciplinary Color Ultrasound

System with four technologies: linear, convex,
phased and annular array
The first Ultrasound system from 2 to 20 MHz
frequency range (VHFS - Very High Frequency
Sonography)
The first unit using a Central Processor with a
clock frequency up to 100 MHz
The first for innovative design with new
keyboard concept (central-positioned trackball
and related functions keys) to select different
functions: it became a standard in all Ultrasound
systems
(F. Pomata, L. Schiavini)
The new Digital Data Processing technology at 100 MHz has
been made possible by the development of CMOS 100 MHz ASIC
microchip, designed by Esaote, which won the ECC prize for
the most innovative high-speed switching circuit project. The
signal processing speed becomes 3 to 4 times faster than
traditional systems, with consequent advantages in frame rate,
sensitivity and frequency.

360 radial array

New laparoscopic probe with flexible tip
High density transducers using composite materials
Parallel microprocessor design
Parallel reception
Dynamic focusing with variable aperture

Advanced Ultrasonography for Superior Diagnosis

The New Idea Is Whole Body Imaging
From 2 to 20 MHz Whole Body Ultrasonography
A Great Opportunity for Superior Performance

Abdominal, Ob/Gyn, Vascular, Small Parts, Pediatrics,

Cardiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Orthopedics,
Urology
A-C-T (Advanced Contrast Technology): time wait
processing, ACT apodization, advanced beam distribution,
broadband transducers, new algorithms

44

Multiplane Laparoscopic Probe LP13A

1994

The first Laparoscopic Probe with 10 mm

diameter size and multiple tip movement
A new era in Ultrasound examinations begins
with less invasive surgical procedures
(R. Furia - G. Borreani, E. Fontana - C. Valle)

Multiplane imaging
Broadband linear array technology
7.5-10 MHz frequency
Steerable CFM/PW Doppler
Shaft orientation: 90up/down - 90left/right
Operating & angiographic rooms, therapeutic applications

Ultrasound in Laparoscopic Surgery - The New Gold Standard

The Real Golden Standard in Ultrasound Technology
Less Invasive Surgery Ultrasound Technology
Intraoperative & Interventional Ultrasound
45

1994

Modular Intraoperative Probe IOE13A

The first Modular Intraoperative Probe with

multiple configurations available (Esaote patented)
A new era in Ultrasound examinations begins
with less invasive surgical procedures
(R. Furia - G. Borreani, L. Schiavini)

Multiple imaging scanning

Probe body shaft with 4 facets for handle and finger attachments
Maximum flexibility and access to any vessel or organ
Abdominal, Vascular, Carotid Endarterectomy, Peripheral by-pass Intraoperative scanning,
Saphenous Vein mapping, Small Parts, Biopsy
Operating & angiographic rooms, therapeutic applications

Intraoperative & Interventional Ultrasound

Complete Solutions for Advanced Interventional Ultrasound
46

1995

The Multipurpose System with integrated CFM at

the highest price-performance ratio
The new extended modularity allows the best
configuration vs applications and represents a new
step ahead in versatility and flexibility
Ultrasound for enhanced productivity with
diagnostic confidence

Trolley

Multiplane TE Probe

AU3 PARTNER

(M. Cerofolini, B. Greppi)

The Reliable Partner in Ultrasound

High-Perfomance Cardiovascular Imaging
The Best Detail in Cardiovascular Imaging, the
Maximum Flexibility in Application
Build a Partnership
More and More
The Winning Response
The Exclusive Potentiality

Linear, convex, annular phased array

CFM/PW/ECG modules
2.5 to 10 MHz frequency probe range
Multiplane TE probe
Digital Archiving Module (DAM) with DICOM compatibility
Quad screen format
Cardiac, Abdominal, Ob/Gyn, Vascular, Small Parts, Urology

47

1997

The first Multipurpose Color Ultrasound System

with five technologies: linear array, convex array,
electronic phased array, annular phased array, ultrasound
contrast media processing

AU5 EPI

(M. Macci, E. Fontana)

2 to 20 MHz probe range

VHFS - Very High Frequency Sonography
TEI - Tissue Enhancement Imaging for difficult-to-study patients
CTEI - Contrast Tissue Enhancement Imaging to manage contrast media procedures

EPI - Extended Platform Imaging

The Five-Function Ultrasound System
The Value of Versatility

Power Doppler & VeloPower capability

DSM - DICOM Storage Module for connectivity/archiving
3D technology
Abdominal, Small Parts, Ob/Gyn, Cardiology, Vascular

48

1998
2001

The movable Compact Ultrasound solution with phased, convex and linear array
technology
The ideal equipment for ICUs, bedside examinations, operating theaters and emergency
rooms

Caris
CarisPlus

CARIS family

(A. Bertini, B. Greppi)

Fully digital platform (Caris Plus)

High-density electronic probes: phased, convex, linear array (Caris Plus)
High-res annular phased array transducers (Caris)
High-frequency probes (up to 10 MHz)
New advanced transducers (e.g. microconvex, multiplane TE, endocavity, etc.)
High-res images & high-sensitivity Doppler
Color Is on the Move
TEI - Tissue Enhancement Imaging for difficult-to-study patients
It Satisfies Your Logistical Needs with
Integrated stress-echo & Wall Motion analysis
Real-time digital archiving, reporting & printing
Quality
Network connection & DICOM capability
Moving
in
Cardiology
10" TFT LCD tilting display and 15" SVGA monitor
Portable and deluxe cart-equipped versions
The Digital Metamorphosis
Compact, lightweight (only 15 kg), modular, complete, high-tech CFM solution
The Art of Flexibility
Cardiology, Vascular, Ob/Gyn, General Imaging, Small Parts, Pediatric/Neonatal, Urology
49

1999
2003

The first Compact Ultrasound System with linear, convex and phased array technology
The first system offering Harmonic Imaging with phased array cardiac probe
The first system offering CnTI technology for Ultrasound
Contrast Media dedicated to myocardial perfusion examinations

CVX

MegasCVX

MegasGPX

MEGAS family

(M. Cerofolini - F. Andreuccetti, B. Greppi)

GPX

Fully digital platform

New advanced transducers (e.g. microconvex, multiplane TE,
intraoperative, laparoscopic, interventional, etc.)
High-res images & high-sensitivity Doppler
TEI - Tissue Enhancement Imaging for difficult-to-study patients
CnTI technology for contrast agents management
Integrated stress-echo & Wall Motion analysis
Diagnosis & therapy module
Real-time digital archiving, reporting & printing
Network connection & DICOM capability
Cardiology, General Imaging, Ob/Gyn, Small Parts, Vascular,
Pediatric/Neonatal, Surgery, Transcranial

50

The Ideal Solution

Your Reliable Daily Partner
At The Heart of Technology
Diagnostic Versatility
The New Standard in Cardiovascular
Ultrasound

1999
2003

The first Digital Beamformer Ultrasound System using Windows-based platform

The complete range of High-End Multipurpose Ultrasound Systems: Technos
Partner, Technos MP, Technos MPX
Innovative Design followed by all other manufacturers all over the world
Extended multifrequency capability

The Premium Extended Performance

Technos MPX

The Multipurpose High Performance

Technos MP

The Faithful Partner

Technos Partner

TECHNOS family

(M. Brusac - F. Pomata, M. Macci - E. Fontana)

Linear/convex/phased array
4-frequencies probes
Advanced transducers (e.g. microconvex, multiplane TE,
intraoperative, laparoscopic, interventional, etc.)
CnTI technology for contrast agents management
Diagnosis & therapy module
3D imaging
VPan extended field of view capability
Advanced measurements packages
Very high-res images & very high-sensitivity Doppler
WindowsNT platform
Advanced digital archiving & connectivity
Ergonomic & very innovative design

Comfort is Getting Smarter

A Class of Its Own
Appreciate the Comfort
Class and Comfort
Above and Beyond the Day to Day
51

2001
2003

The dedicated OB/GYN Ultrasound System

The complete portable solution for modern ultrasound professionals

Picus
PicusPro

PICUS family

(C. Marian, W. Luiten)

Fully digital platform

High-density electronic probes: convex and linear array
High-frequency probes (up to 12.5 MHz)
Three frequencies per probe for all probes
New advanced transducers (e.g. microconvex, endocavity,
motorized 3D)
High-res images & high-sensitivity Doppler
Doppler auto-tracing
Automatic on line PI, RI calculation
Real-time digital archiving, reporting & printing
Network connection & DICOM capability
10" TFT LCD tilting display and 15" SVGA monitor
Compact, lightweight (only 15 kg), modular, complete, hightech CFM solution
Portable and cart-equipped versions
Abdomen, Ob/Gyn, Small Parts, Carotid, Fetal Heart, Cardiology,
Phlebology
Advanced measurements and report packages: Obstetrics,
Gynecology, Cardiology
Automated 3D and 4D imaging

52

The Exceptional
The Right Answer
Dedicated to Womens Healthcare

2004
2005

MyLabWorld

> RESEARCH

One World, One Language

> DATA SHARING
> INTEGRATION

MyLab World

> WORKFLOW

MyLab15

Discover

MyLab25

the next generation

of ultrasound systems
at ECR 2005

MyLab50

EXPO A booth 101

Headquarters: ESAOTE SpA Via Siffredi, 58 16153 Genova, ITALY

Tel. +39(010)6547.1 Fax +39(010)6547.275 www.esaote.com E-mail: international.sales@esaote.com

53

Official MyLab Family Launch

at ECR 2005
(March 4-8 - Vienna, Austria)

MyLab World

2004
2005

MyLabWorld

Compact Quality without

Compromise

High Performance
without Compromise
High Versatility without
Compromise

MyLab15: the premium black & white

compact system for General Imaging
and Ob/Gyn, easily upgradable to
Color and Doppler

MyLab30CV & MyLab25: the first

portable ultrasound systems with 15"
display offering all Cardiac and General
Purpose ultrasound features in 9.9 Kg
weight including stress-echo capability

54

The first solution where the latest technologies converge to offer the most accurate patient
data management
The daily reality with a modular architecture based on optimized workflow for cost-saving
approach to patient care
The complete integration of different systems and modalities with powerful processing tools
(A. Bertini - M. Brusac - F. Andreuccetti - M. Lagustena, B. Greppi - M. Macci - G. Altobelli - W. Luiten)

High CV Standard without

Compromise
Extreme Flexibility
without Compromise

Luxury in the Daily

Practice

MyLab50: the flexible solution in

Integration Technology offering high
image quality in linear, convex, phased
array technology

MyLab70: the complete and reliable

high-class system offering a flexible
and modular architecture for the best
comfort in the daily practice

55

2004
2005

MyLabWorld

The first advanced technique to allow

a perfect correlation of Ultrasound
and CT/MR Imaging to significantly increase
precision and accuracy of image-guided diagnoses,
follow-up and interventional procedures

Virtual Navigator

(S. De Beni, M. Macci)

Advanced combination of two different imaging modalities: real-time Ultrasound scanning with contrast media and CT/MR static imaging
DICOM data loading of US/CT/MR standard examinations
Correlation procedure to obtain the best US/CT/MR volume matching thanks to three different techniques:
> skin markers on patients to allow automatic spatial correlations
> manual technique to select random planes
> internal positioning markers to select anatomical structures/pathologies of interest
Controlled navigation to maintain a perfect and precise spatial correlation of CT/MR planes and real-time Ultrasound scanning (image superimposition)
Double biopsy line on US/CT/MR volumes
Measurements capability on US/CT/MR volumes
Identification of internal liver lesions and follow-up in interventional imaging

A Step Ahead in Fusion Imaging

Diagnosis, Follow-up,
Interventional Approach
56

We look to the past with our mind on the future

ESAOTE: Where People Make the Difference

833 0745 000 (MA Rev.B)

ESAOTE S.p.A.
Headquarters: Via Siffredi, 58 16153 Genova, ITALY Phone +39-010-6547.1 Fax +39-010-6547.275
International Activities: Via di Caciolle, 15 50127 Firenze, ITALY, Phone +39-055-4229.1, Fax +39-055-4229.208
E-mail: international.sales@esaote.com

www.esaote.com