Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. said Monday it has made United Medical Instruments Inc., a dealer of used and new ultrasound systems and parts, its ultrasound distributor for private physician practices in the U.S.

Under the deal, UMI's 20-person sales force will sell and distribute Toshiba's ultrasound portfolio to the private office market. Toshiba makes the Aplio ultrasound line.

"The private office space has a growing need for advanced ultrasound solutions, especially for musculoskeletal applications," Toshiba's ultrasound business unit director Tomohiro Hasegawa said in a statement.

UMI is headquartered in San Jose, Calif. Toshiba Medical's U.S. business operates out of Tustin, Calif.