Toshiba Installs First Vantage Powered by Atlas MRI System at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging Center.

New Vantage Atlas MRI System Improves Patient Comfort and Enhances Workflow

LAS VEGAS -- Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., a global leader in diagnostic and medical imaging systems, today announced it has installed its first Vantage powered by Atlas 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system at Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI), one of the country's premier imaging centers located in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The Vantage Atlas MRI system, Toshiba's newest MRI system, was launched at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting in November 2006 and features a major redesign of the Toshiba Vantage MRI system.

The Vantage Atlas' 128-element system meets clinical demands for an MRI system that delivers high-resolution images across the entire body with faster imaging times, rendering quick and accurate diagnosis. The new design features an integrated coil concept that allows clinicians to perform multiple exams without repositioning the patient, resulting in more comfortable exam experiences and enhanced workflow and technologist productivity. Also, the Vantage Atlas' optional 205-cm acquisition range allows for feet-first imaging for the entire body, up to the thoracic spine.

"We selected the Vantage Atlas for its ease of use, unmatched imaging quality and advanced patient comfort features, which make the system an ideal fit for SDMI," said Dr. Mark Winkler M.D., professor of Health Sciences at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and founding partner of SDMI.

"We are very pleased to partner with SDMI, a true leader in the field, which shares Toshiba's passion for advancing medical imaging technology and increasing the quality of patient care," said Bob Giegerich, director, MR Business Unit, Toshiba.

In addition, Vantage uses Toshiba's patented Pianissimo(TM) technology to dramatically reduce acoustic noise, one of the most significant causes of MRI patient discomfort.

Vantage MRI: Unmatched Clinical Performance

Featuring some of the most advanced MRI applications available in the industry, the Vantage offers a wide range of optional packages, including advanced Echo Planar Imaging, Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging, Peripheral Angiography featuring Fresh Blood Imaging (FBI), SuperFASE (Fast Advanced Spin Echo) Imaging and Body Vision, diffusion-weighted imaging optimized for the trunk and torso. In addition, Toshiba's SPEEDER parallel imaging allows for increased acquisition speed and reduced examination times. It is also able to determine the hemodynamics - without the use of contrast media - of selective vessels with high image quality using Time-SLIP (Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse) technology, and offers better separation of arterial and venous blood flows with Contrast-free Improved Angiography (CIA).

For more information about the Vantage Atlas, Toshiba and its wide range of medical imaging products, please visit www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging (SDMI)

With four locations in Las Vegas, NV, Steinberg Diagnostics Medical Imaging (SDMI) is a multi-modality, multi-location imaging practice that sees approximately 1,000 patients per day in their imaging centers. They have been using an integrated RIS and practice management system for several years and embarked upon implementing PACS and a voice recognition reporting system. To simplify the implementation and integration of these systems Steinberg selected RIS and PACS vendors whose systems could exchange key IHE transactions. For more information, visit http://www.sdmi-lv.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, Cath & EP Labs, 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 172,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $62 billion.