Toshiba Aplio Ultrasound Demonstrates New Technique to Enhance Diagnosis and Treatment of Heart Failure.

TUSTIN, Calif. -- Aplio CV System Features Dyssynchrony Imaging(a) to Accurately Evaluate Ventricular Mechanical Dyssynchrony

Designed to further enhance the accuracy and efficiency of ultrasound imaging in the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. (TAMS) today introduced Dyssynchrony Imaging(a) (DI) as the latest innovation to the Aplio(TM) CV, the company's all-digital ultrasound system for advanced cardiac applications. The new imaging technique will be presented to cardiologists for the first time at the 2005 Annual Scientific Session of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in Orlando, Fla.

"With the development of Dyssynchrony Imaging, Toshiba is providing cardiologists with a new innovation that expands the quantification capabilities of ultrasound to aid in diagnosing cardiovascular disease," said Gordon Parhar, director, Ultrasound Business Unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. "The DI method makes it easier for clinicians to determine the severity of dyssynchrony by having an automated detection of maximum values and a visual display of time to peak for each region. DI also will be a valuable tool in assessing patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy, providing clinicians with a pathway treatment from pre-implant to post implantation of the pacemaker."

"The Aplio's Dyssynchrony Imaging is a new method to quantify radial mechanical dyssynchrony in heart failure patients and can assess improvements after cardiac resynchronization associated with the acute hemodynamic response," said John Gorcsan III, M.D., director, Echocardiography Laboratories, professor of medicine, University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Gorcsan is the primary investigator in the United States for Toshiba's Dyssynchrony Imaging.

The Aplio CV's new DI technique aids cardiologists in the quantification of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony by providing a color-coded display that demonstrates the timing of events within the myocardium of the heart. Early mechanical events are green and severely delayed events are displayed red, allowing clinicians to quickly identify the presence and severity of the patient's dyssynchronous events.

In addition, with the use of Toshiba's angle corrected technology, cardiologists also have the ability to evaluate the synchronicity not only longitudinally, but can use the short axis view to obtain radial information. As a result, the detailed clinical information provided by the DI method improves both the accuracy for evaluating dyssynchrony in heart failure patients as well as determining the most appropriate treatment plan for cardiac resynchronization therapy, including pacemaker implantation. The DI method allows physicians to select the optimal candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy because quantitative values are now available.

Aplio CV Advanced Technology and Performance Options

The Aplio CV is designed with next-generation tissue Doppler and contrast imaging technology based on Toshiba's Intelligent Component Architecture 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 packages for Doppler measurements and advanced clinical data analysis, including:

--Tissue Doppler Imaging Quantification (TDI-Q): 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 for radial information, performed with these advanced applications, expands the range of quantitative evaluations available. TSI, along with displacement imaging also can be utilized for bi-ventricular pacing. In addition to TDI-Q, Aplio CV offers Tissue Doppler Imaging, adding TDI Harmonics, which provides 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.

The Aplio CV also features Toshiba's IASSIST(TM) remote controller, which was honored by Frost & Sullivan with its 2004 Technology Innovation Award for outstanding achievement in diagnostic imaging. Featuring Bluetooth(TM) wireless network technology, the IASSIST allows sonographers to achieve improved body positioning and reduce strain for greater comfort during examinations. In addition, IASSIST improves productivity and throughput with the use of protocol-assisted examinations, customized programming, as well as the ability for clinicians to define and activate their own clinical protocols with the touch of a single button.

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

About Toshiba

With headquarters in Tustin, 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.

Aplio(TM) and IASSIST(TM) are trademarks of Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.

Bluetooth(TM) is a trademark of Bluetooth SIG Inc.

(a) Works-in-progress.