VisualSonics

About VisualSonics

FUJIFILM VisualSonics Inc. develops and manufactures ultra-high frequency (UHF) ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging systems for both preclinical and clinical research. The company's technology provides imaging resolutions as fine as 30 micrometers, a significant increase over conventional ultrasound systems, enabling detailed in vivo studies.

VisualSonics was founded in 1999 in Toronto, Canada, by Dr. F. Stuart Foster, a medical physicist and senior scientist at Sunnybrook Research Institute. Dr. Foster's work on high-frequency ultrasound technology dates back to 1983, aiming to improve imaging for small animal models of human diseases, which became particularly relevant with the rise of genomic research. The company's initial development was supported by various Canadian research institutes and venture capital. In June 2010, VisualSonics was acquired by SonoSite, Inc., a specialist in portable ultrasound, for approximately $67.9 million. Subsequently, FUJIFILM Holdings acquired SonoSite in March 2012, making VisualSonics a subsidiary within the larger corporation.

The company's business model centers on the sale of its specialized imaging systems, such as the Vevo platform, to academic researchers, pharmaceutical companies, and biotechnology firms. These clients operate primarily in the fields of cardiovascular and cancer research, neurobiology, and developmental biology. The technology allows for real-time, longitudinal studies of live animal models without invasive procedures. In addition to its core preclinical market, VisualSonics expanded into the clinical space, receiving FDA 510(k) clearance and a CE mark for its Vevo MD system in 2016. This system is used in fields like dermatology, neonatology, and vascular imaging. A key product feature is the integration of photoacoustic imaging, which combines optical and acoustic methods to provide functional data like blood oxygenation levels.