First Toshiba Aplio XG Ultrasound Installed at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI).

Largest Freestanding Clinic in Las Vegas Reports Better Diagnosis, Improved Patient Outcomes with New, State-of-the-Art System

TUSTIN, Calif. -- Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS) announced today that the nation's largest outpatient imaging practice, Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI) in Las Vegas, is the first to install the new Aplio[TM] XG ultrasound system. The system was introduced at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting in November 2006 and is the latest version of the company's Aplio ultrasound platform.

SDMI is using the state-of-the-art system to assist with a variety of diagnostic examinations, including abdominal, gynecologic, obstetrical (OB), breast, testicular, thyroid and prostate imaging procedures in its Las Vegas location.

A high-volume clinic, SDMI images approximately 75 patients a week on the newly installed Aplio XG. Since the installation, they report higher image quality, improved patient throughput, enhanced workflow and increased operator comfort with the system.

"With this technology, we are able to detect pathologies that might have gone unnoticed before," said Dr. Mark Winkler, M.D., professor of Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and founding partner of SDMI. "Specifically high-resolution, high contrast, small parts imaging is enhanced, which is particularly important for breast imaging. Additionally, enhancements in depth penetration allow better quality imaging in larger patients."

With its state-of-the-art intelligent design, the Aplio XG helps perform a fast, quiet and accurate ultrasound exam. The technology is simple to operate and offers the very latest in intuitive design, due to a host of enhanced ergonomic features. This includes the award-winning iASSIST[TM] remote control operation, which utilizes Bluetooth technology and allows clinicians to operate the Aplio system from a distance without hardware applications, resulting in streamlined workflow processes and ease of use for clinicians. Patient exams are always quiet and comfortable with iASSIST, which allows the technician to control the user interface without voice commands.

"The Aplio XG delivers on Toshiba's commitment to improve quality of life -- even in the most high-volume clinical setting," said Gordon Parhar, director, Ultrasound Business Unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. "We continue to see increased adoption of our premium and high-end ultrasound systems, indicating a high degree of confidence in this advanced technology, which we've tailored to fit clinicians' specific needs."

Aplio XG

Offering the latest advancements in diagnostic performance and operator comfort, the next generation Aplio XG provides several enhancements that improve productivity, increase diagnostic confidence, facilitate connectivity and enhance ergonomics. Upgrade enhancements include new 4D technology, which allows users to acquire volume data sets for subsequent, off-line review. The Aplio XG's 3D multi-slice view delivers sequential imaging with a presentation format similar to CT and MR. Additionally, slice thickness and the number of images displayed can be selected by the user. A new ergo-optimized control panel and 19" LCD also have been added to increase user comfort. The Aplio XG also is IHE compliant for improved connectivity and workflow.

About Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI)

With four locations in Las Vegas, NV, Steinberg Diagnostics Medical Imaging (SDMI) is a multi-modality, multi-location imaging practice that sees approximately 1,000 patients per day in their imaging centers. They have been using an integrated RIS and practice management system for several years and embarked upon implementing PACS and a voice recognition reporting system. To simplify the implementation and integration of these systems Steinberg selected RIS and PACS vendors whose systems could exchange key IHE transactions. For more information, visit http://www.sdmi-lv.com/.

About Toshiba

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, MRI and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products, and power systems. Toshiba has approximately 172,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $54 billion. For more information about Aplio XG and TAMS, visit: http://www.medical.toshiba.com/.

Aplio(TM) is a trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.