Toshiba's Ultrasound System Expands Cardiac Capabilities at Iowa Heart Center, Heart Clinic of Louisiana and Alaska Open Imaging.

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

ACC 

Booth #4234 Hall F

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2004

Exhibited at ACC, Aplio(TM) CV System Offers Next-Generation

Contrast Imaging Technology, IASSIST Wireless Controller and

Improved Ergonomics

Offering high-end performance and new technology features, Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) will exhibit the Aplio(TM) CV, the company's all-digital ultrasound system for advanced cardiac applications, at the 2004 Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC). The Aplio CV features Toshiba's advanced Intelligent Component Architecture, Tissue Doppler Imaging Quantification, new ergonomic transducers, and the IASSIST wireless controller for a more streamlined workflow. Additionally, Toshiba has completed multiple installations of the Aplio CV at recognized cardiovascular imaging centers in the United States, including Iowa Heart Center, Heart Clinic of Louisiana and Alaska Open Imaging Center.

"To meet the high demands of echocardiography studies, Toshiba developed the next-generation tissue Doppler and contrast imaging technology of the Aplio CV to deliver superior image quality for maximum diagnostic confidence," said Adel Girgis, director, Ultrasound Business Unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems. "Additionally, Toshiba has introduced IASSIST wireless controller technology, as well as newly designed transducers to address key operator needs and ergonomic concerns of our customers."

"The Toshiba Aplio CV has been the cardiac ultrasound system of choice at the Iowa Heart Center, and we currently operate 10 systems," said Paula Carr, team leader, Iowa Heart Center. "We value the Aplio CV for its user-friendly features and exceptional 2-D harmonic, color flow and Doppler imaging."

"At our facility, we are more successful with cardiac and vascular imaging on sub-optimal patient types, such as obese patients, with the Aplio CV's superior penetration capability," said Scott Hanson, clinical supervisor, Alaska Open Imaging Center. "Additionally, our technologists are experiencing significantly less hand strain with the Aplio's new light, ergonomic transducers."

"The Aplio CV is a very capable ultrasound system for both clinical and research applications," said Edmund K. Kerut, M.D., Director of Echocardiography, Heart Clinic of Louisiana, and Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Cardiology, Tulane University School of Medicine. "For clinical studies, one of the major strengths of the Aplio CV is its ability to effectively image patients-of-size and those with traditionally difficult acoustic windows. Also, the fast frame rate obtained with the system allows us to perform impressive echocardiography studies in laboratory research settings, measuring heart rates of more than 500 beats per minute."

Advanced Technology and Applications for Cardiovascular Studies

The Aplio CV is equipped with next-generation tissue Doppler and contrast imaging technology based on Toshiba's Intelligent Component Architecture (ICA) to allow faster processing of more complex data, producing dramatically improved image quality and sensitivity. The ICA permits the system to perform highly complex data operations, such as Tissue Harmonic Imaging and Pulse Subtraction techniques with frequency compounding.

For high performance cardiac examinations as well as research and quantification studies, the Aplio CV offers a comprehensive package for Doppler measurements for each individual valve. Additionally, the Aplio CV offers advanced analysis:

-- Tissue Doppler Imaging Quantification (TDIQ): This software

performs various analyses for TDI images, measuring myocardial 

viability. The Tissue Strain Imaging (TSI) technique evaluates

and clearly displays the regional myocardial strain

quantitatively during systole.

Tissue tracking and angle correction, performed with these advanced applications, expands the range of quantitative evaluations available. TSI, along with displacement imaging also can be used for bi-ventricular pacing. In addition to TDIQ, Aplio CV has moved to the next level of ultrasound imaging with TDI, adding TDI Harmonics, which provide higher resolution and more quantifiable information.

-- Advanced Automated Contour Tracking (A-ACT): When evaluating

contractility of the heart, ejection fraction is very

important and is part of every echocardiography report.

Likewise, diastolic function is another area to take into

consideration. With A-ACT users can obtain ejection fraction

and diastolic function quickly and easily with one automatic

calculation.

-- Contrast Imaging: Unique and newly patented 1.5 Rate

Subtraction Imaging (RSI) subtracts and cancels tissue signals

that occur from leakage of fundamental and harmonic signals.

By focusing directly on the contrast agent, and not the

surrounding tissue, users can obtain the high sensitivity and

detectability.

Designed with the Operator in Mind

The Aplio CV features Toshiba's innovative IASSIST wireless controller with Bluetooth(R) network technology that enables remote operation of the entire user interface for streamlining workflow. Allowing the operator to focus on the patient, the IASSIST controller enables the user to define and activate exam protocols with the touch of a button. IASSIST automatically handles the rest of the exam by switching imaging modes, parameters, display messaging and recording images. The controller allows both routine and highly complex examinations to be reproduced using optimum scanning conditions.

The Aplio CV is one of the most ergonomic systems ever designed, reducing operator fatigue with a complete range of lightweight transducers and flexible cables, and a highly customizable control panel that combines ergonomic design with technological innovation. The linear and sector transducers are capable of trapezoid imaging -- an extended field of view mode that produces a trapezoid image from a linear or sector transducer. As a result, operators have more options to select the right transducer for the patient and the study being performed.

For more information about the Aplio CV, TAMS and its wide range of medical imaging products, please visit our Web site at www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, an independent group company of Toshiba Corporation. The company is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT scanners, X-ray, ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, MRI equipment and information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Corporation group is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products, and power systems. Toshiba has 166,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of over $47 billion.

Note to Editors: Aplio is a trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.