Hitachi Introduces New AVIA Workstation Cardiac Application and Software Enhancements for the Sceptre P3 PET/CT System.

TWINSBURG, Ohio -- Hitachi Medical Systems America (HMSA) is pleased to announce the release of Emory Cardiac Toolbox(TM) PETtools(TM), a new software package for AVIA(TM), the multi-modality workstation for the Sceptre P3(TM) PET/CT imaging system. Combined with AVIA Software Release v.5.6, the software will provide impressive advances in clinical utility for the Sceptre P3.

Distributed under license from Syntermed, Inc., the optional PETtools will add broad capabilities for quantitative PET evaluation of cardiac perfusion to the Sceptre P3/AVIA system. It offers databases with normal limits specifically for Rubidium and Ammonia PET studies and tools to evaluate FDG match/mismatch for cardiac PET, which allow physicians to conduct a more comprehensive cardiac evaluation.

The AVIA software release v.5.6 features the new AVIA Lite Viewer, which will allow the user to burn cases directly to DVD/CD, along with providing a built-in viewer for physician review. AVIA Lite Viewer expands the broad viewing capabilities of the multi-modality workstation to any PC, representing a substantial update in the AVIA operating system software.

"PETtools and the Lite Viewer expand the comprehensive AVIA product portfolio even further, adding solutions required for advanced PET and PET/CT," stated Patti Johnson, AVIA Product Manager. "Our customers will significantly increase their clinical utility on the AVIA workstation through these enhancements," Johnson added, "Plus, consistent with Hitachi's philosophy of continuous system upgrades to add clinical and economic value, customers under service contract will receive AVIA v.5.6 at no additional cost."

The AVIA multi-modality workstation provides PACS architecture to promote optimal clinical efficiency in the PET/CT environment, addressing key issues including workflow, data management and disc space requirements. It is the simple, sophisticated way to centralize and manage the abundance of clinical data confronting today's imaging departments.

Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. markets premium and high performance magnetic resonance imaging systems of Hitachi Medical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan. These include the AIRIS(R) Elite advanced mid-field open MR system, the Altaire high-field performance MR system and the AIRIS(R) II MR system. The company has more than 1,400 Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging systems installed throughout the United States and over 3,100 Open MRI systems installed worldwide. HMSA first established a leadership position in the medical industry with Open MRI systems and has expanded their modality offerings to include computed tomography, ultrasound, PET/CT, optical tomography, and 3D dental imaging.

Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a leading global electronics company, with approximately 347,000 employees worldwide. Fiscal 2004 (ended March 31, 2005) consolidated sales totaled 9,027.0 billion yen ($84.4 billion). The company offers a wide range of systems, products and services in market sectors, including information systems, electronic devices, power and industrial systems, medical imaging equipment, consumer products, materials and financial services.

Syntermed, Inc., an Atlanta-based company, has quickly become a world leader in providing integrated software solutions for diagnostic medical imaging. Its suite of nuclear medicine imaging and informatics solutions include the Emory Cardiac Toolbox(TM), Nuclear Report Professional (NRP(TM)) , PetTools(TM) and Heartfusion(TM), all used for the processing, quantitation, interpretation, and reporting of nuclear cardiology images for SPECT, PET, and PET/CT fusion. NeuroQ(TM) is a powerful software platform consisting of quantitative tools developed in collaboration with Daniel Silverman, MD, PhD, Head of the Neuronuclear Imaging Section of UCLA's Medical Center, and includes a variety of processing features allowing for quick differential diagnosis of Dementia and Alzheimer's. For more information please visit www.syntermed.com or call 1-404-814-5277.

For more information please contact:

Patti Johnson                      William Bishop
Product Manager,                   Vice-President,
AVIA                               New Business Development
Hitachi Medical Systems            Hitachi Medical Systems
America, Inc.                      America, Inc.
1959 Summit Commerce Park          1959 Summit Commerce Park
Twinsburg, Ohio 44087              Twinsburg, Ohio 44087
800.800.3106 or                    800.800.3106 or
330.425.1313 Ext. 5520             330.425.1313 Ext. 4490
330.425.1410 Fax                   330.425.1410 Fax
[e-mail]            [e-mail]