Siemens Ultrasound takes on risk-sharing

While many medical imaging vendors talk about partnering withcustomers, one ultrasound vendor believes that a financial risk-sharingarrangement can also prove profitable.

Siemens Ultrasound of Issaquah, WA, announced in January thatit has reached an equipment purchasing agreement with the ClevelandClinic Foundation that will allow CCF to pay for new scannerson a sliding fee based on equipment usage.

Under the exclusive five-year agreement, Siemens will provideCCF with an entirely new ultrasound department, consisting initiallyof six Sonoline Elegra and two Sonoline Versa ultrasound systems.Siemens will also service and upgrade the new scanners and providemore systems as CCF's needs dictate, according to the company.