Siemens and National Semiconductor Align to Advance Ultrasound Technology

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. and SANTA CLARA, Calif., Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc. and National Semiconductor Corporation announce a wide-ranging strategic alliance to advance ultrasound technology, creating ultrasound imaging systems that produce enhanced image quality and advanced 3D/4D imaging capabilities, while consuming less power.

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The strategic alliance brings together Siemens' leadership in ultrasound technology with National's energy-efficient analog semiconductor capabilities. National will provide leading-edge power management, signal path and transducer solutions while working closely with Siemens. Based on the companies' collaboration, Siemens' ultrasound systems will be able to provide next-generation imaging quality and ground-breaking new applications, while, at the same time, be more energy efficient. Working together, the end goal is to provide medical ultrasound systems that change the game in workflow efficiency, diagnostic reliability and ease of scanning.

"For many years, we have been pushing the envelope to advance ultrasound imaging to the next level. Large data volumes and the increased demand for portability require systems with an effective balance between power efficiency and performance. We view National Semiconductor as a strategic analog alliance to help us make this happen," said Dr. Norbert Gaus, chief executive officer, Ultrasound, Siemens Healthcare.

"This is an ideal alliance, which effectively leverages both companies' strengths. Already well known for its world-class healthcare solutions, Siemens' next-generation ultrasound systems will be enhanced by our high-performance technology, chipsets and subsystem-level solutions," said Mike Polacek, senior vice president of Key Market Segments and Business Development for National Semiconductor. "We are going to do great things together."

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry and a trendsetter in medical imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology and hearing aids. Siemens offers its customers products and solutions for the entire range of patient care from a single source – from prevention and early detection to diagnosis, and on to treatment and aftercare. By optimizing clinical workflows for the most common diseases, Siemens also makes healthcare faster, better and more cost-effective. Siemens Healthcare employs some 48,000 employees worldwide and operates around the world. In fiscal year 2009 (to September 30), the Sector posted revenue of 11.9 billion euros and profit of around 1.5 billion euros. For further information please visit: www.siemens.com/healthcare.

National Semiconductor is a leader in power management technology. Known for its easy-to-use analog integrated circuits and world-class supply chain, National's high-performance analog products enable its customers' systems to be more energy efficient. Headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif., National reported sales of $1.42 billion for fiscal 2010. Additional information is available at www.national.com.

SOURCE Siemens Healthcare