SonoSite reports strong growth in fourth quarter of 2010

SonoSite has published its preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010, reporting a record revenue level for the three-month period.

The medical device company generated around $89 million (56.4 million pounds) during the quarter, up by 27 percent year-on-year, thereby exceeding the firm's own internal forecasts.

Growth was observed in SonoSite's core point-of-care markets and impedance cardiography sales, while its subsidiary VisualSonics – acquired in June 2010 – experienced a strong performance for the second quarter in succession.

The fourth quarter figure takes SonoSite's full-year revenue total up to $275 million, which represents an increase of 21 percent on 2009's level.

Kevin Goodwin, SonoSite's president and chief executive officer, said: "We accelerated right through the finish line and saw tangible signs of improving momentum."

In October 2010, the company received endorsements from a number of international healthcare experts for its recently-launched Advanced Needle Visualization ultrasound imaging software.