Samsung Ultrasound

Samsung first entered medical imaging in 1984, when it established a joint venture with GE in South Korea to manufacture and market medical equipment, including ultrasound systems. The operation subsequently became part of GE’s Korean healthcare business, ending Samsung’s direct involvement in ultrasound.

Samsung returned to the market in 2010 through the acquisition of a controlling interest in Medison.

Medison was founded in 1985 by Lee Min-hwa and grew into South Korea’s leading ultrasound manufacturer.

In 1996, Medison acquired a majority interest in Austria’s Kretztechnik, a pioneer in 3D ultrasound. Under Medison’s ownership, Kretztechnik advanced real-time 3D imaging (4D), helping establish the companies as important innovators in obstetric and gynecological ultrasound.

In 2001, Medison sold its 65.4% stake in Kretztechnik to GE Medical Systems, which subsequently acquired the remaining publicly held shares and used Kretztechnik’s technology to strengthen its Voluson franchise. Medison continued to develop and sell its own 3D imaging.

In 2010, Samsung acquired a 43.5% controlling interest in Medison for $260 million. At the time, Medison was estimated to be the world’s fifth largest ultrasound manufacturer, with approximately 6% global market share. The company was renamed Samsung Medison in 2011.

Samsung also acquired Prosonic, a South Korean manufacturer of ultrasound probes and cables. Together, the acquisitions gave Samsung capabilities across ultrasound systems, transducers, image processing, semiconductors, and display technology.

Samsung continued to advance its Women’s Health portfolio while expanding into Radiology, POC, and ultimately cardiovascular.

In 2024, Samsung acquired

• Medison: ultrasound equipment and clinical expertise

• Prosonic: transducers and probe manufacturing

• Sonio: clinical AI and workflow software

Resulting in a vertically integrated ultrasound business. Today, Samsung continues to account for 6% of the global ultrasound market.