Toshiba Expands Clinical Capabilities of Patient-Friendly Open MRI with Introduction of Ultra; Gradient Performance Ranks System as ``First In Its Class'' of Open MRI Systems.

Business Editors & Health/Medical Writers

RSNA Booth #7729 (North Hall)

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 2, 2002

Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) today introduced the Ultra open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system at the Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

The Ultra's gradient technology delivers advanced clinical capabilities and the higher resolution normally associated with high-field closed MRI systems. Better image quality and faster scan times in an open environment offer the ideal MRI patient experience.

"Building on the success of the OPART(TM), our superconductive, open system, Toshiba is taking open MRI to the next level," said Dane Peshe, director, MRI and Nuclear Medicine Business Units. "The Ultra utilizes a very powerful gradient system to accomplish advanced clinical applications, high-resolution imaging and faster scanning.

"This approach to increasing MR performance levels allows the Ultra to retain the spacious environment that patients have come to expect in an open system. In addition, it allows Toshiba to continue its tradition of delivering world-class performance and cost-effective solutions in open MRI technology."

Unique System Design Delivers High Performance

Toshiba developed the Ultra with a unique MRI gradient field technology featuring an amplitude of 25 mT/m (milli-tesla per meter) and the industry's best slew rate of 100 T/m/s (tesla per meter per second). As a result, this slew rate allows the Ultra's gradient speed to be nearly five times faster than current open systems and 250 percent greater than its high-field counterparts. With this performance level, the Ultra offers clinical capabilities that are comparable to those of more expensive high-field systems.

Ultra Further Expands Open MRI Clinical Capabilities

Designed to conduct a full range of diagnostic procedures, the Ultra can handle any exam from routine neurology, body and musculoskeletal imaging to the more advanced neurofunctional and cardiovascular studies.

"Having excellent neurovascular capabilities is a critical component of our ability to take care of our local patient base," said Dr. John Feller, Desert Medical Imaging, Palm Springs, Calif. "I have been very impressed with the small vessel detail in the Ultra's intracranial imaging. I look forward to similar high-resolution performance once we start conducting cardiovascular, abdominal and spine imaging with this new system."

The system's high gradient performance enables the mid-field Ultra to perform many of the most sophisticated high-field imaging techniques including single-shot EPI Diffusion, TrueSSFP, SuperFASE and Black Blood magnetic resonance angiography.

Complementing Toshiba's family of patient-friendly and high performance MRI systems, including the OPART and Excelart(TM) with Pianissimo, the Ultra system is currently available.

For more information about the Ultra, TAMS and its wide range of medical imaging products, visit the company's Web site at www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research and has responsibility for research and development for all modalities in the United States.

Toshiba Corp., Medical Systems Co. is a world leader in the development of medical imaging equipment, with a product line-up that includes CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and both conventional and vascular X-ray systems.

Toshiba Corp. is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products, and power systems. Toshiba has 176,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of more than $40 billion.