Toshiba introduces high-speed image transfer and management.

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 26, 1996--Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., (TAMS) Tuesday introduced high-speed image transfer and management systems for cardiology.

The announcement was made at the annual meeting of the American College of Cardiology in Orlando, Fla.

"To meet today's needs for cost-effective, efficient catheterization lab operations, Toshiba is showing several works-in-progress products which allow for local image networks within a health care facility as well as the ability to link with additional health care facilities for the future transfer of images," said Volz.

"Cineless (filmless) imaging provides instant case review of images with no delays for film processing. It can help reduce operating costs by more than $50,000 per year for a single cath lab's average patient load. And it offers superb access to images at remote workstations or digital CD-R in DICOM format," said Volz. "Now, Toshiba has taken the convenience and savings of cineless imaging one step further by providing products that ensure the high-speed management and transfer of digital images."

Toshiba is introducing a series of products that comprise a truly digital, cineless system and which form the basis for the network integration and transfer of images within an institution or across the country.

"Network integration is important so that multiple, independent health systems can work together to eliminate inefficiencies and reduce costs. It is especially crucial for the growing number of multi-hospital systems that rely on remote interventional cardiac centers," said Volz. "Without an interface between their local networks, diagnostic and interventional procedures are often repeated multiple times, at multiple cost, not to mention great inconvenience to the patient."

DigiView 1200A(a). This off-line review station enables the evaluation of superb digital images on a unique, high-resolution display. It automatically transfers and updates patient data from the Toshiba Digital Cardiac (TDC) system. With the DigiView 1200A, physicians can review high-resolution digital images on a unique 1049-line display.

DigiLINC(a). This workstation handles the dynamic review and real-time processing of 1024(to the second power) digital images. Patient studies can then be archived on digital storage media such as CD-R or tape. The DigiLINC integrates into a range of networked environments for on-line links to multiple cath labs and review stations.

LINC(a). The LINC digital cardiac imaging network solution provides automatic, multimedia image management through a central database. It offers on-line links to multiple cath labs, DigiLINC workstations and DigiView review stations while also archiving up to 30,000 procedures in the database.

LINC systems also use advanced Toshiba laptop technology to enable the remote review of digital images -- whether for teaching or consultation with the patient and family.

Making an institution's transition to cineless imaging as smooth as possible, all Toshiba imaging technology conforms to ACC/NEMA standards such as DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine). This means that digital data is compatible with equipment from other manufacturers within the same institution or at remote locations across the country.

Completing the data image management and transfer system, Toshiba is offering the speed advantages of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). "With the huge volume of data traversing today's cardiac digital imaging networks, the conventional means of data transfer, Ethernet, can slow down the performance of an entire network," said Volz. "By offering ATM for both local and wide-area networks (LAN and WAN) those limitations are circumvented."

Toshiba America Medical Systems, is a subsidiary of Toshiba America, Inc., which employs 8000 throughout the United States. With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., TAMS markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems. In addition to X-ray, Toshiba's imaging products include CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), nuclear medicine and ultrasound.

Toshiba America MRI Inc., is a subsidiary of TAMS and has responsibility for research and development, engineering and manufacturing of MRI diagnostic imaging equipment in the United States. For more information contact Catherine M. Eilts 714/669-4140.

Note (a): Some of the features described herein are classified for investigational use only. As such they cannot be made commercially available until the necessary government clearances are obtained.

CONTACT: Toshiba America Medical Systems

Catherine M. Eilts, 714/669-4140