Toshiba signs value-added reseller agreement with AGFA.

TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 1996--

Connectivity systems dramatically increase productivity, efficiency

Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. (TAMS), on Tuesday announced that it has signed a value-added reseller agreement with the AGFA Division of Bayer Corp.

This agreement will allow Toshiba to use its distribution channels and technology, integrated with AGFA's expertise in PACS, to offer healthcare providers complete information management solutions for their electronic imaging needs.

"We have formalized this arrangement with AGFA, who we have worked with for over a year, to provide comprehensive networking capabilities," said Leslie Ferrini, manager, Connectivity Systems Group. "Through our DICOM options available on all modalities and with the AGFA IMPAX product line, we can deliver anything from a multi-modality, multi-vendor review station to a comprehensive digital image management system.

"We studied many PACS and networking companies but felt that AGFA offered the best technology and consultative expertise," said Ferrini. "Building on an extensive history in hospital information systems and radiology information systems connectivity, they have leveraged their image management knowledge and experience to develop electronic systems that address work flow issues throughout the healthcare delivery system.

"By combining their expertise in networking with our expertise in diagnostic imaging, we can provide a strong, comprehensive offering for our customers to fully meet their connectivity needs."

The products offered increase efficiency by integrating data from the diagnostic imaging equipment with the hospital and radiology information systems (HIS/RIS) as well as providing multi-user access to diagnostic images throughout the hospital system.

Toshiba, with AGFA, is offering several types of diagnostic display stations and software designed for referring physician use. Multiple levels of archival storage meet needs for immediately accessible information as well as long-term storage. Most importantly, Toshiba will offer interfaces to HIS and RIS systems to greatly enhance productivity and efficiency.

"Our intention was to form a partnership with a major full-line diagnostic imaging manufacturer so we could better serve today's market," said Vishal Wanchoo, vice president, Electronic Imaging, AGFA. "Toshiba is an excellent partner because they are firmly committed to meeting their customers' requirements, through technology innovation they are always on the forefront of developing solutions to meet market demands. This partnership helps us increase our penetration in the U.S. market."

Showing its connectivity capabilities at this year's Radiological Society of North America annual meeting in Chicago, Ill., booth number 6544, Toshiba is demonstrating a significant newly created DICOM standard -- Worklist Management.

Worklist management is the ability of the RIS to send a list of patients, examination times and other information directly to the imaging system operator's console. Toshiba will demonstrate Prefetching which allows users to pull up old studies for comparison and Autorouting which allows users to send images to specific review stations or physicians. As part of the RSNANet connection, Toshiba will have DICOM connections from all modalities.

With headquarters in Tustin, Toshiba America Medical Systems is a subsidiary of Toshiba America Inc. which employs 8000 people throughout the United States. TAMS markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems. Toshiba's imaging products include CT, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and both conventional and vascular X-ray systems.

Toshiba America MRI Inc., in South San Francisco, has responsibility for research and development, engineering and manufacturing of diagnostic imaging equipment in the United States.

Agfa is part of the Agfa-Gevaert Group, a leading worldwide manufacturer of imaging products and systems, with annual sales of $4.5 billion. Agfa-Gevaert manufactures and markets products and systems for the electronic and photographic prepress, medical and technical diagnostic, amateur and professional photographic markets. With headquarters in Europe, Agfa-Gevaert is wholly owned by Bayer AG.

In the United States, Agfa operates as a division of Bayer Corp., with headquarters in Ridgefield Park, N.J. Bayer, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, is a research-based company with major businesses in chemicals, health care and imaging technologies. Bayer Corp. employs 23,500 people and had sales of $8 billion in 1995.

CONTACT: Toshiba America Medical Systems, Tustin

Kristen Heller, 714/427-3146

E-mail: [e-mail]

or

Catherine M. Eilts, 714/669-4140

E-mail: [e-mail]