Nuclear medicine imaging technology will allow for two procedures in one scan; Toshiba's TEW will allow for dual-isotope, single acquisition studies.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 3, 1996--At the annual meeting of the Society of Nuclear Medicine, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc., (TAMS) is featuring the works-in-progress Triple Energy Window (TEW) SPECT. This technology will allow two diagnostic imaging studies to be accomplished with one procedure.

"Toshiba's products are geared towards delivering higher quality patient care and comfort, increasing the physicians and technologists productivity, increasing the systems utilization and reducing in-hospital stays," says Steve Sickels, director, Nuclear Medicine Business Unit. "Because of the capability to handle dual-isotope imaging, we believe TEW will deliver on that objective."

Application examples will include cardiac imaging (thallium rest/stress seistamibi), brain fusion imaging (thallium/HMPAO) and whole body imaging for infection (indium/leukocyte and technetium). In each of these examples, normally the patient would have had to have one study and then return some time later for the second.

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, this patented technology will provide improved image resolution and increased accuracy of image quantification.

TEW will work in the following manner. One of the most significant factors degrading image quality in planar and SPECT studies is Compton scatter.

Scattered photons coming from different, but unknown origins mix with true peak photons and contribute to a falsely increased count rate.

"As a result," says Sickels, "organs close to each other are not well differentiated when imaged. This problem is even more apparent when studies of different organs are conducted within a short time frame or during scans that require the use of high-energy nuclides."

By isolating and measuring the scattered photons and subtracting that information from the image, clean data can be produced. Three windows, one for the main energy peak, and two for scatter measurement (using a scatter estimation and subtraction algorithm), are called the Triple Energy Windowscatter correction method. This is what will allow one scan to be taken in cases that previously required two.

This technology will be available on Toshiba's GCA-7000 Series of nuclear medicine systems. FDA 510(k) clearance is pending.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems. Toshiba's imaging products include CT (computed tomography), MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and both conventional and vascular X-ray systems.

Toshiba America MRI Inc., in south San Francisco, is a subsidiary of TAMS and has responsibility for research and development, engineering and manufacturing of diagnostic imaging equipment in the United States.

Note to Editors: Works-in-progress. As such this technology cannot be made commercially available until necessary government clearances are given.

CONTACT: Toshiba America Medical Systems, Tustin

Catherine M. Eilts, 714/669-4140