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March 28, 2005

WORLD’S FIRST ECG-GATED CT CHEST STUDY CONDUCTED ON THE TOSHIBA AQUILION 64

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Performs Chest Pain Evaluation to Detect Pulmonary Embolism, Aortic Dissection and Cardiac Events 

Tustin, March 28, 2005 – Using the most advanced 64-slice computed tomography (CT) technology available, clinical researchers at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) today announced the completion of the world’s first chest pain evaluation using Electrocardiogram-gated (ECG-gated) imaging performed with the Toshiba AquilionTM 64.  A major teaching affiliate of Harvard Medical School, BIDMC is one of Toshiba’s luminary partners working to expand the development of multi-detector CT technology.

At BIDMC, a patient with chest pains and significant shortness of breath during exertion was scanned with the recently installed Aquilion 64 to determine if the symptoms were related to a problem with the lungs or the heart.

“We scanned the entire chest using the Aquilion 64 with 100 ml of non-ionic contrast medium in just 14.9 seconds with only a single breath-hold,” said Melvin Clouse, M.D., Professor of Radiology, and Director of Research, BIDMC.  “At that imaging speed, patient motion artifacts are non-existent, and also by using ECG-gated imaging methods the image quality was significantly enhanced to reveal diseases such as pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection or detect a cardiac event in just one scan.”

“We are just beginning to realize the full potential of using the Aquilion 64-slice CT, and we fully expect a leap in image quality from the previous 16- and 32-slice CT technology,” added Dr. Clouse.  “Moreover, with the results that we are already experiencing, we predict that 64-slice CT technology will become the standard in CT imaging for conducting both diagnostic and advanced studies, such as coronary functional analysis.”

Dr. Melvin Clouse recently discussed the results and details of the latest clinical studies performed with the Aquilion 64 during a speaker session titled, CT Coronary Arteriography – Techniques and Uses at Snowmass 2005: Imaging with CR and MR Meeting in Colorado, February 20-25, 2005.

Most Advanced 64-Slice CT System
Featuring the most advanced multi-detector CT technologies available, the Aquilion 64-detector CT is built on the same platform as the Aquilion 32, utilizing Toshiba’s unique 64-row Quantum detector, the most sophisticated CT detector that enables high-speed, high-resolution imaging with the lowest noise and superior anatomical coverage.

The Quantum detector enables the Aquilion CT scanner to acquire 64 simultaneous slices of 0.5 mm.  The result is precise volumetric imaging of any region of the body during a breath-hold under ten seconds.

For more information about the Aquilion 64-slice CT with the Quantum detector, TAMS and its wide range of medical imaging products, please visit www.medical.toshiba.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 Corporation, an independent group company of Toshiba Corporation, 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 Corporation 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.


AquilionTM is a trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.