(Click here for a larger view of SonoSite's S-FAST)Touting the unit's toughness, the company adds that the S-FAST can withstand being dropped from three feet onto a hard surface. But to help prevent this from happening, the device includes standard VESA-compliant mounting capabilities to keep it secure.
The S-FAST features a large, 10.4-inch LCD display and a laptop-style touch pad. Its other buttons, dials, and controls have been "stripped down to the essentials," SonoSite says, so that physicians can perform FAST (Focused Assessment with Ultrasound for Trauma) to evaluate injury to internal organs, diagnose ectopic pregnancy, and perform other emergency procedures.
SonoSite says the device includes transducers that are compatible with the company's larger M-Turbo system. They include: P21x/5-1 phased array and ICTx/8-5 curved array transducers; a C60x/5-2 curved array; an L38x/10-5 linear array; and HFL38x/13-6 linear array transducers. These variously cater to abdominal, cardiac, vascular, venous access, "small parts," and Ob/Gyn applications.
According to SonoSite, the S-FAST is based on a
TI TMS320DM664x system-on-chip processor. "Specifically designed for high-performing, highly responsive video applications," this chip is said to make the device 16 times more powerful than SonoSite's previous "industry-leading" MicroMaxx system.
The S-FAST boots within 15 seconds, can be operated on battery power if necessary, and has a sealed surface that is easy to clean and sanitize, the company claims. The device also features three USB ports, which SonoSite says can be used to export sonogram data in PC formats including MPEG4 (H.264), JPG, HTML, and BMP.
Finally, SonoSite says the unit's USB port and multimedia capabilities enable users to access the "education key," a USB thumb drive containing a library of clinically specific, point-of-care tutorials and refresher courses for playback on the system. This is said to include video tutorials on overall system operation, instruction on how to perform specific exams and procedures, and an image reference library of application specific sonographic anatomy for comparison purposes.
SonoSite CEO Kevin Goodwin stated, "The S-FAST was inspired by the specialized day-to-day requirements of emergency medicine. We ... feel it will be seen as the worlds easiest to use, point-of-care ultrasound tool."
Pricing was not disclosed, but the S-FAST appears to be available now. More information can be found on the company's website,
here.
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