Toshiba America Medical Systems Launches Coils for Vantage MRI Systems; Long-Bone Coil and 32-Channel Head/Spine Coil Previewed as Works-in-Progress.

CHICAGO -- Supporting its ongoing commitment to the development of technologies that meet clinician needs, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. (TAMS) today announced the launch of two new coils. The first coil is designed for long bones, such as the humerus and femur, is especially beneficial when imaging the spine on hard-to-move patients or those suffering from spine disorders like kyphosis, a permanent curvature of the spine. A new 32-channel head/spine coil will be available for demonstration and is designed specifically for brain, cervical, thoracic and lumbar imaging in trauma or immobile patients -- delivering high-resolution images without the need to change coils or move the patient.

Available on any Vantage MRI system, the new coils will be exhibited as works-in-progress at the Radiological Society of North America's (RSNA) annual meeting held Nov. 27-Dec. 2 at McCormick Place in Chicago (Booth #7114, North Building, Hall B).

"Improving patient positioning has a direct effect on image quality, and we are dedicated to providing the tools clinicians need to generate the best possible outcomes," said Bob Giegerich, director, MR Business Unit, TAMS. "Each of these new coils serve a distinct purpose in the clinical setting and provide a direct benefit to patients."

Vantage MRI -- Unmatched Performance and Patient-Focused Features

The Vantage features an ultra-short magnet at 140 cm with linear 30 mT/m (milliTesla per meter) gradient strength with a slew rate of 50 T/m/s (Tesla per meter per second) (AGV), 86 T/m/s (MGV), 130 T/m/s (XGV), or 33 mT/m, 200 T/m/s (ZGV works-in-progress). Despite the short length of the magnet, the system delivers the highest homogeneity of any magnet in the industry over the full 50 cm diameter spherical volume (DSV).

The Vantage also offers some of the most advanced MRI applications available on the market today, including optional packages for cardiac imaging, advanced Echo Planar Imaging (EPI), Perfusion and Diffusion Imaging, Peripheral MRA, and SuperFASE (Fast Advanced Spin Echo) imaging. In addition, Toshiba has pioneered research into contrast-free MRA with its Fresh Blood Imaging (FBI) protocol and Body Diffusion.

With Toshiba's patented Pianissimo(TM) technology, which reduces acoustic noise by as much as 90 percent, the Vantage dramatically reduces the most significant cause of patient discomfort and enables clinicians to better utilize all of the system's high-field MRI capabilities including SPEEDER parallel imaging for increased acquisition speed that reduces examination times. For more information about the Vantage, TAMS and its wide range of medical imaging products, visit www.medical.toshiba.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, 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 161,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $53 billion.

Excelart Vantage(TM) is a trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.