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August 22, 2005

NEW TOSHIBA ULTRASOUND SYSTEM OFFERS SUPERIOR QUALITY IMAGING OUT-OF-THE-BOX FOR THE IN-OFFICE ENVIRONMENT

Easy-to-Use Black and White 2-D Imaging made Affordable with Famio

TUSTIN, Calif., Aug. 22, 2005 – To meet the ultrasound imaging needs of the physician office environment, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS) today introduced the Famio^TM ultrasound system, the most affordable, high-end, gray-scale 2-D system in its class.  Superior image quality is achieved through Famio’s smart technologies, including the Digital Continuous Beam Former and Tissue Harmonic Imaging.  Ready to use right out-of-the-box, the fully digital Famio demonstrates the ultimate in usability.  

The compact and mobile design of Famio is ideal to suit the needs of physician office settings where space is at a premium.  The Famio’s easy-to-use system was intuitively designed with practitioners in mind and includes the next generation of ergonomically designed transducers for optimal sensitivity and resolution from near to far field in any clinical situation.  In addition, the Famio’s plug-and-play feature ensures the system is immediately contributing to the productivity of the practice.

“We evaluated several ultrasound systems before selecting the Famio, which had the best balance of excellent image quality, user-friendliness and affordability for our practice,” said Dr. Katherine Thompson, medical director and founder of the Center for Medical Genetics.

According to Gordon Parhar, director, Ultrasound Business Unit at Toshiba, the Famio will enable physicians to expand dramatically their clinical in-office capabilities, a point emphasized by the nearly 40 orders placed only days after the Famio’s launch. 

“Physician offices have unique ultrasound imaging needs.  They want quality gray-scale imaging for effective diagnosis, and they need a compact unit that’s mobile and easy-to-use,” Parhar said.  “Famio was specifically designed for the physician office market to ensure that image quality and accurate diagnosis are not compromised due to size and affordability. 

Advanced Technology Features Improved Image Quality
Several Smart Technology features come standard on the Famio to provide superior image quality, including:
Digital Continuous Beam Former:  A precise beam that minimizes side lobes in both the near and far field, dramatically improving image clarity, spatial and contrast resolution, and delivering advanced image resolution. 
Tissue Harmonic Imaging (THI):  A leading-edge technology providing excellent contrast resolution and reducing artifacts, which is ideal for patients who may be difficult to scan. 

Advanced Communication Features Streamlined Workflow
Famio provides a variety of support functions that expand diagnostic capabilities and improve exam efficiency, such as the ability to store image data on the integrated hard disk or CD-R.  Further, unconverted stills and cine loops from the image memory also can be stored the same way with Famio’s unique DirectCine access, allowing post measurement and off-line zoom.  The system also allows reports to be printed directly to a PC printer, and is DICOM compliant for seamless data transfer to other healthcare systems.

Designed with the User in Mind
Further enhancing the performance and usability of the Famio is its ergonomic design.  The user interface increases throughput with unique customizable keys and a large 14-inch, high-definition monitor.  The main panel is fully programmable, so individual key functions can be adjusted to suit personal preferences and specific application needs.

Additionally, Famio’s High Frequency Linear Transducer offers a wide bandwidth of 8-14 MHz for small parts imaging.  These transducers reduce strain and increase operator comfort with long, lightweight, flexible cables. 

Famio was first previewed at the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists annual meeting in May 2005.  For more information about Famio, 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.

Famio^TM is a trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.