SonoSite Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against GE

July 6, 2007 – SonoSite Inc. recently announced it is filing a patent infringement lawsuit against GE Healthcare and certain GE affiliates, acting as a counterclaim to the complaint GE and its affiliates filed against SonoSite on May 15, 2007 in the same court, claiming that SonoSite had infringed on GE’s patents for compact ultrasound technology.

SonoSite is filing its answer to the complaint denying all of GE’s claims and alleging that the asserted patents are either invalid, not infringed, or both.

In its counterclaim complaint, SonoSite asserts that GE and its affiliated companies infringe SonoSite’s U.S. Patent Nos. 6,569,101, “Medical Diagnostic Instrument with ECG Module, Authorization Mechanism and Methods of Use,” and 5,817,024, “Handheld Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument with Digital Beamformer,” through their sales of ultrasound products, including GE’s compact ultrasound systems. SonoSite’s patents cover various core ultrasound related technologies. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages and a court injunction against future infringement by GE and its affiliates.

“After conducting a review, we believe that GE’s claims of patent infringement are without merit,” said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. “Further, we believe that GE's ultrasound systems, including its recently introduced compact products, are infringing SonoSite patents on key, fundamental ultrasound innovations. We intend to vigorously assert our rights.”

For more information: www.sonosite.com, www.gehealthcare.com