Siemens and GE gain in echo competition

The pecking order in the U.S. echocardiography market remains unchanged, but Siemens and GE are gaining ground, according to a report by Klein Biomedical. Market leader Philips Medical Systems lost share last year to both Siemens and GE Medical. Siemens is closing in from its number two position; GE is ranked third. Siemens' gains are coming from the growing popularity of its Acuson Sequoia. Unit shipments of the company's flagship product increased more than 21%, according to Siemens, making Sequoia the best-selling ultrasound system in the U.S. for the sixth year in a row. The Klein report estimates that the U.S. market for ultrasound was essentially flat in 2002, with total revenues of $1.14 billion, managing a mere 0.3% percent increase over 2001.