SonoSite Inc. has begun shipping SonoCalc software, which allows doctors to quickly measure the wall thickness of the common carotid arteries and assess a patient’s risk of cardiovascular disease. The PC-based software can be used with the Titan, the newest line produced by SonoSite. The Bothell company acquired the SonoCalc product when it bought SonoMetric, a small Utah company that developed the software, in May.
New indictment in HealthSouth case
A former HealthSouth Corp. executive was indicted Wednesday in a huge fraud case involving the rehabilitation company, becoming the 17th person accused in what prosecutors say was a conspiracy to overstate earnings by $2.64 billion to meet Wall Street expectations. Hannibal Sonny Crumpler, who worked as controller of HealthSouth’s operating division from 1992 until July 2000, was accused of wire fraud, mail fraud and securities fraud for allegedly working with others to falsify the company’s financial records.
Snapple apologizes to Staten Island
Beverage-maker Snapple apologized for a joke about Staten Island on its Web site, but it didn’t stop a local lawmaker from blasting back. The tempest in an iced tea bottle was sparked by a game on snapple.com, which asked: “What is the most recognized smell in the world?” The answer: “No, it’s not Staten Island. It’s coffee.” Councilman James Oddo said Wednesday that people who don’t live on Staten Island “continue to define us by the Fresh Kills landfill despite the fact that Rudy Giuliani closed it and we’ve moved on past that.”
Existing home sales hit record
Sales of previously owned homes in November posted their best month on record as low mortgage rates enticed buyers to live the American dream. The National Association of Realtors reported Wednesday that sales, at a seasonally adjusted annual rate, totaled an all-time monthly high of 6.94 million units, representing a 2.7 percent increase from October’s pace.
Dollar marks new low against euro
The U.S. dollar rebounded from another all-time low on Wednesday against the euro, which touched $1.3646 in thin year-end trading. The shared European currency hit a record high against the dollar for the fifth straight business day, rising above the previous record of $1.3643 set Tuesday, as light trading around the Christmas and New Year’s holidays exaggerated currency swings in foreign exchange markets.
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