ACUSON ANNOUNCES 1,000TH SEQUOIA(TM) SYSTEM INSTALLATION WORLDWIDE THE COMPANY ALSO INSTALLED ITS 50TH SEQUOIA SYSTEM IN THE NORDIC COUNTRIES MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif, March 5 /PRNewswire - AsiaNet/ -- Demonstrating significant acceptance based on superior clinical capabilities of its revolutionary Sequoia(TM) ultrasound system, Acuson Corporation (NYSE: ACN) today announced that the 1,000th Sequoia system was installed at the Karolinska Hospital in Stockholm, Sweden. Introduced in April 1996, the Sequoia platform provides physicians exciting, never-seen-before ultrasound images of anatomy and pathology. During clinical evaluations, physicians indicated that the Sequoia 512 and C256 ultrasound systems show promise in minimizing the need for more invasive and expensive procedures such as cardiac catheterization, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). "We have relied on the Acuson equipment to provide us with excellence in diagnostic capabilities since 1985. One of the main contributing factors for ordering Acuson systems in the first place was, besides the technological breakthrough of Computed Sonography, the promise that the systems would be upgradeable -- a promise that Acuson has fulfilled," said Henry Lindholm, M.D., associate professor, Department of Diagnostic Radiology/Section of Ultrasound, Karolinska Hospital. "Our systems have been regularly upgraded, and they are all in full daily service. The cooperation with the company and its Swedish subsidiary has always been very good and mutually beneficial. The new technology introduced on the Sequoia system holds, in our belief, the potential for spectacular future development." Three more Sequoia 512 systems, in addition to the 16 Acuson Sequoia and 128XP(R) systems currently installed at the hospital, were also ordered by the Karolinska hospital this week. The 1,000th system and the six other already installed, or ordered Sequoia 512 systems, will be utilized in the radiology, Ob/Gyn and pediatric departments at the hospital. Karolinska Hospital's main objectives are to be an international, leading university hospital within medical care, research, development and teaching. Main areas of the hospital's operation include high quality research in the areas of traumatology, cardiovascular, allergy, pediatrics and healthcare disciplines. According to the hospital, the patients' needs for safety, high quality care and service always come first. Acuson also announced the installation of the 50th Sequoia ultrasound system in the Nordic Countries at the Norrlands University Hospital in Umea, Sweden. The 50th system and three additional Sequoia 512 systems will be used for cardiovascular applications. "Almost two years ago, Acuson introduced an ultrasound technology that physicians predicted would revolutionize the diagnostic ultrasound industry -- Sequoia technology," said Stephane Sallmard, vice president of European operations for Acuson. "To date, physicians have reported major diagnostic ultrasound advancements in areas where others thought ultrasound could not go. The problems presented by difficult-to-image patients have been solved with Sequoia technology's Native(TM) Tissue Harmonic Imaging. At the other end of the spectrum, Acuson has expanded high frequency, high resolution imaging with MICROSON(TM) high resolution imaging, enabling physicians to capture and visualize never-seen-before images like the individual nerve bundles within the median nerve in the wrist. And as anticipated, these technological advancements are migrating to the Aspen(TM) and the 128XP systems, increasing their long-term value and utilization as well." Native Tissue Harmonic Imaging was designed to produce clearer, more accurate ultrasound images in difficult-to-image patients who represent approximately 30 percent of all patients examined with ultrasound, and usually require additional testing or supplemental ultrasound exams. This can increase the overall cost of the diagnosis and possibly delay treatment. Difficult-to-image patients can be individuals who are overweight, elderly, muscular or who have narrow rib spaces, a thick body wall, excessive scarring, extreme obesity, overlying lung tissue (usually from smoking), breast implants or congestive pulmonary disease. They also include patients who have had surgery, chemotherapy or radiation treatment. MICROSON high resolution imaging is achievable on Acuson's ultrasound platforms through the advanced technologies designed into the system architecture. Microsonography applications also include high resolution color Doppler imaging of superficial microvasculature with unparalleled sensitivity and resolution. Integral components of this new technology are the 15L8 and 8V5 transducers, which are the newest members of Acuson's MICROSON high resolution imaging transducer family. Potentially, MICROSON high resolution imaging could provide more diagnostic information and detail than more expensive diagnostic procedures, reducing the costs associated with high quality patient care. Acuson Corporation is a leading worldwide manufacturer and service provider of medical diagnostic ultrasound systems and image management products. The company's products are used by hospitals, clinics and healthcare delivery systems throughout the world. Acuson's worldwide headquarters offices are located in Mountain View, Calif., and European headquarters are in London, England. The company had sales of $438 million in 1997. Educational, product and corporate information is available on Acuson's Web site at http://www.ultrasound.com, echocardiography.com or acuson.com. SOURCE Acuson Corporation /CONTACT: media, Amy Cook, 650-694-5460, or investors, Kira Bacon, 650-694-5599, both of Acuson Corporation; or Paul Blackburn of Scope Ketchum Communications in England, 44-1-71-465-7040, for Acuson/ /Web site: http://www.ultrasound.com/