EINDHOVEN, Netherlands--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) today launched a new release of its premium portable ultrasound system to address the needs of a wide range of applications including radiology, vascular, women’s health, emergency medicine, regional anesthesia, and critical care. The new Philips CX50 CompactXtreme combines the image quality expected of a traditional, premium, full-size system with the convenience of portability.

The system has the potential to reduce failed bedside exams caused by the low image quality often found in current compact ultrasound products. As a result, fewer exams need to be repeated, quicker treatment decisions can be taken and ultimately healthcare costs can be reduced.

To develop the product Philips spent time alongside clinicians to investigate their changing needs in ultrasound. Feedback revealed that clinicians cannot count on the performance of their existing compact systems for portable studies at the patient bedside or in the ICU as the image quality is not always sufficient, especially on technically-challenging patients. At the same time, the number of portable studies being carried out is growing as diagnostic services are increasingly being brought to the patient.

“The first step was to get a better understanding of the needs of clinicians,” said Anne LeGrand, CEO of Philips Ultrasound. “Through our insight process we learned that they wanted premium performance from their compact system. As a result, we have created the CX50, a new category of compact product, to address this need.”

"The quality of results we get when carrying out a scan with the CX50 are close to what we'd expect from the best cart-based systems," said Dr. Etienne Danse from the Cliniques Universitaires St Luc, Brussels. "We've been using the system in daily practice, particularly in the Critical Care Unit, where we regularly need high performance sonograms for color Doppler evaluation of the liver and the kidneys. Due to the smaller size of the device it is more convenient to use in this challenging environment, but still provides the provides diagnostic information that enables us to make the right decision for the patient."

"We are very impressed by the high 2D image quality on the CX50, and we have been particularly surprised how easy it is to obtain the high image quality even in direct comparison with the best high-end full-size systems," said Dr Frank Steensgaard-Hansen, consultant cardiologist, at Københavns Praktiserende Lægers Laboratorium in Copenhagen, Denmark. "This, as well as the small physical format and great flexibility of CX50, are major benefits that might be helpful making a quicker, more confident diagnosis in critically ill patients. In contrast to previous portable echocardiography systems, CX50 consistently enables complete and definitive echocardiography studies on non-acute patients at their bedside without the need for a follow-up scan, helping us to improve workflow and possibly productivity."

The CX50 CompactXtreme incorporates features migrated from the Philips iE33 and iU22 premium cart-based systems. PureWave transducers have been clinically proven to improve image quality across the patient population, especially on technically-difficult patients. Already, millions of exams have benefited from PureWave technology.

The system also features SonoCT real-time compounding technology and XRES adaptive image processing for images that are virtually free from artifacts and noise, displaying well-defined anatomy and pathology. The CX50 supports SmartExam system-guided protocols, an integrated guidance tool that streamlines and speeds exams for clinicians and patients.

The system is available in many countries in Europe and Asia including the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and India, with release scheduled for North America in the third quarter of this year. The original version of the CX50, designed for adult cardiology, is now available in many countries.

More information can be found at www.philips.com/CX50.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a diversified Health and Well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of “sense and simplicity”. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 26 billion in 2008, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.