NBA Names Preferred Ultrasound Provider
The NBA announced today a multiyear agreement that will introduce SonoSite ultrasound technology to the NBA's team medical and athletic training professionals. Deal terms of the "provider" agreement were not released.
Through the deal, SonoSite will become the preferred provider of ultrasound products to the NBA and the NBA Development League (NBA D-League). The deal may be a lot more logical than it sounds on the surface. Sonosite aims to educate NBA and NBA D-League's team physicians and athletic trainers about the benefits of their portable diagnostic ultrasound tools which can assist in diagnosing, treating, and monitoring athlete injuries at the game.
Traditionally, sports medicine professionals have relied on imaging modalities, such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) scans, to diagnose and assess soft tissue and bone injuries, but Sonosite's hand-carried ultrasound product offers portability that will give athletic trainers the ability to examine a player at any point-of-care location, including a training facility, courtside, or wherever the injury occurred.
"SonoSite is a proven industry leader and their products will help NBA and NBA D-League teams diagnose and treat injuries in the best and easiest way possible," said Dr. Jace Provo, NBA Chief of Medical Affairs. "Our players are competing at the highest level, so it is a tremendous opportunity for our team doctors and athletic trainers to attend special seminars and learn about SonoSite's unique diagnostic ultrasound products for the overall benefit of our players and our game."
"We are excited for the opportunity to partner with the NBA and further support their efforts in providing the most advanced and innovative technology to their team physicians and athletic trainers, along with the highest level of care to their athletes," said Kevin M. Goodwin, SonoSite President and CEO. "In a sport where injuries are unavoidable, it is our goal to educate sports clinicians on the latest practices that will improve the diagnosis and treatment of player injuries."
"Ultrasound visualization is absolutely the future of medicine and I would use it on every athlete to examine the severity of an injury," said Kevin Taylor, MS, ATC Head Athletic Trainer, NBA D-League. "SonoSite's systems allow me to visualize bone, tissue, and assess a patient right when I need to. It also gives me the confidence to accurately assess an injury, while giving the athlete confidence that there isn't a tear or greater complication. With this technology, we are able to fulfill our mission of keeping our players healthy and more competitive."
To find out more about Sonosite's application to the practice of sports medicine, click here. Here's orthropedic surgeon, Alan Hirahara, MD, FRCS, discussing the benefits of the NBA's newest partner.
