The new system has been designed for use in pre-clinical research and could herald major breakthroughs in cancer research; however, human applications of the technology are envisioned in the near future.

1. Contact:
VisualSonics: Shailja Tewari (416) 484-5220
SonoSite: Lisa Fritzky (425) 951-1375
VISUALSONICS ANNOUNCES NEXT GENERATION IN VIVO
IMAGING TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE STRIDES IN CANCER RISK
REDUCTION, EARLY DETECTION, PATIENT CARE, AND
SURVIVORSHIP
Major imaging breakthrough:
The launch of VisualSonics Vevo LAZR photoacoustic imaging system enables pre-clinical
researchers to visualize structural, molecular and functional attributes of tumors
simultaneously
“With Photoacoustics, we can see at the molecular level what effect a drug is having on
cancer cells - it provides unparalleled insights into how cancer sustains itself and it’s
only a matter time before we begin seeing practical application in humans”
-Stanislav Emelianov, Associate Professor and Associate Chair for Research,
Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin
TORONTO, Canada – April 4, 2011 – VisualSonics Inc., a leader in real time, in vivo,
high-resolution micro-imaging systems and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SonoSite Inc.,
(Nasdaq:Sono), is demonstrating the recently announced Vevo® LAZR Photoacoustics
Imaging system at the American Association of Cancer Research’s annual conference (April
2-6, 2011, Orlando, FL)
The new system has been designed for use in pre-clinical research and could herald major
breakthroughs in cancer research; however, human applications of the technology are
envisioned in the near future.
“The Vevo LAZR is a crucial breakthrough, with wide ranging implications for cancer
research. In recent years, the fight against cancer has centered on stopping growth using
drugs (anti-angiogenesis therapeutics, for instance). If angiogenesis can be stopped or

2. prevented from occurring, tumor growth can be controlled and significantly reduce harm to
their hosts,” added Dr. Emelianov.
Furthermore, the ability to see the effect that a drug is having on the tumor growth is an
invaluable asset in the development of cancer therapeutics. In practical terms, this means
researchers will be able to observe tumor biology in a living host organism (mice and rats)
without having to biopsy the actual tumor itself. Currently, researchers are often required to
rely on ex vivo techniques such as histology and immunohistochemistry to obtain molecular
information inside a tumor. The in vivo approach reduces the amount of animals required for
research studies by allowing the same animal to be followed throughout the disease
development and treatment.
Dr. Emelianov continued, “Being able to look at molecular level cell physiology, and to do so
in a living organism, will greatly facilitate our understanding of how cancer spreads from the
micro to the macro level, giving unparalleled insights into how tumors grow and metastasize
within human tissue.”
“The Vevo LAZR photoacoustics system is a breakthrough in-vivo imaging technology,”
said Anil Amlani, VisualSonics’ President and CEO. “Advancements featured in this product
will enable oncology researchers to accelerate their research into understanding of the inner
workings of the cancerous cell and the host tissue in which it resides. The ability to conduct
this microscopic level research in a living organism, non-invasively and in real-time will help
our customers to turn groundbreaking science into lifesaving care, at an even greater speed.”
“The launch of the Vevo LAZR technology further demonstrates our commitment in
providing game changing imaging technology to advance pre-clinical research,” Kevin M.
Goodwin, SonoSite’s President and CEO. “We are confident that the photoacoustics
technology will provide never-before-seen insights into cancer research and will have a
strong impact on the discovery of new therapeutics.”
The Vevo LAZR system supports VisualSonics continuous efforts to provide researchers
with innovative solutions to improving pre-clinical research. Applications for the Vevo
LAZR system range from lymph node imaging, study of hemoglobin and oxygen saturation,
and targeted imaging of tumor biomarkers. In addition to cancer biology, this cutting-edge

3. imaging system will benefit other areas of research such as diabetes, neurosciences, as well as
developmental and reproductive biology.
Researchers are invited to experience a demonstration of the Vevo LAZR system by visiting
VisualSonics at booth #2171 at AACR.
About VisualSonics
VisualSonics is the world leader in real time, in vivo, high-resolution micro imaging systems
designed specifically for preclinical research and a wholly-owned subsidiary of SonoSite,
Inc. (Nasdaq:Sono). The Company’s cutting edge technologies allow researchers at the
world’s most prestigious pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, hospitals and
universities to conduct research in cardiovascular, cancer, neurobiology and developmental
biology areas. The micro imaging technologies support research applications that include
genetic research, phenotypic studies and drug development. VisualSonics micro imaging
platforms combine high-resolution, real time in vivo imaging at reasonable cost with ease-of-
use and quantifiable results.
About SonoSite
SonoSite, Inc. (www.sonosite.com) is the innovator and world leader in bedside and point-of-
care ultrasound and an industry leader in ultra high-frequency micro-ultrasound technology
and impedance cardiography equipment. Headquartered near Seattle, the company is
represented by fourteen subsidiaries and a global distribution network in over 100 countries.
SonoSite’s small, lightweight systems are expanding the use of ultrasound across the clinical
spectrum by cost-effectively bringing high-performance ultrasound to the point of patient
care.
Forward-looking Information and the Private Litigation Re form Act of 1995
Certain statements in this press release relating to the expected benefits of the Vevo LAZR Photoacoustics Imaging
technology, including market acceptance of products incorporating Vevo LAZR Photoacoustics Imaging technology and
new market and sales opportunities for SonoSite, and other statements regarding future results are “ forward-looking
statements” for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. T hese
forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of our management at the time the statements are made
and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied
by the forward-looking statements. T hese statements are not guaranties of future performance and are subject to known and
unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results
to differ from the forward-looking statements include: the risk that the technology will not yield the expected potential
benefits, including the risk that we are unsucce ssful in achieving market acceptance of this technology, and the potential
for competitive technologies, as well as other factors contained in the Item 1A. “ Risk Factors” section of SonoSite, Inc.’s
most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to
place undue reliance upon these forward-looking statements that speak only as to the date of this release. We undertake no
obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the
date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated even.