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December 7, 2005

PARK NICOLETTE COMPLETES PURCHASE OF 21 APLIO CV ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCED CARDIAC APPLICATIONS

New State-of-the-Art Heart and Vascular Center Provides Cardiac Procedures For Improved Patient Comfort

TUSTIN, Calif., Dec. 7, 2005 – Strengthening its position as the global leader in ultrasound technology innovation, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS) today announced the successful installation of 21 AplioTM CV ultrasound systems at the Park Nicolette Heart and Vascular Center in Minneapolis, Minn.  The Aplio CV, Toshiba’s all-digital ultrasound system for advanced cardiac applications, will enable clinicians at the Heart and Vascular Center to conduct a high-volume of echocardiographic and vascular procedures to improve the early detection of heart failure.

The innovative center, which houses cardiologists, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists in one location, performs nearly 100 ultrasound procedures daily.  Each of the 20 exam rooms will feature an Aplio CV ultrasound system. Eighteen systems will be dedicated to cardiac echocardiography and three devoted to vascular procedures.  One system also will serve as a mobile unit. 

According to Dr. Cynthia Toher, the year-long decision making process included a detailed evaluation of various ultrasound systems from leading vendors.  “We needed an ultrasound system that could meet our center’s specific needs from a technology and service and support standpoint. Toshiba was able to put together a technology and support package that met our needs perfectly.”  

“The decision by Park Nicolette to acquire our Aplio CV technology is proof of Toshiba’s superior technology and excellent clinical support team,” said Gordon Parhar, director, Ultrasound Business Unit, TAMS.  “The fact that they selected Toshiba further reinforces our belief that providing top-notch support after the sale is just as valuable to customers as offering industry-leading technology.”

Aplio CV Advanced Technology and Performance
The Aplio CV features next-generation tissue Doppler and contrast imaging technology based on Toshiba’s Intelligent Component Architecture (ICA), which allows faster processing of more complex data and delivers dramatically improved image quality.  ICA permits the system to perform highly complex data operations, such as Tissue Harmonic Imaging and Pulse Subtraction techniques with frequency compounding.

For high performance cardiac examinations as well as research and quantification studies, the Aplio CV offers a comprehensive package for Doppler measurements and advanced clinical data analysis, including:

• Tissue Doppler Imaging Quantification (TDI-Q):  This software performs various analyses for TDI images, measuring myocardial viability.  The Tissue Strain Imaging (TSI) technique evaluates and clearly displays the regional myocardial strain quantitatively during systole. Tissue tracking and angle correction for radial information, performed with these advanced applications, further expands the range of quantitative evaluations available.  TSI, along with displacement imaging, also can be utilized for bi-ventricular pacing.  In addition to TDI-Q, Aplio CV offers Tissue Doppler Imaging, adding TDI Harmonics, which provides higher resolution and more quantifiable information.

• iASSISTTM:  Recipient of the Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award, iASSIST features BluetoothTM wireless network technology and allows sonographers to improve their body positioning during exams, reducing operator strain.  In addition, iASSIST improves productivity and throughput with the use of protocol-assisted examinations and customized programming, while allowing clinicians to define and activate their own clinical protocols with the touch of a single button.

For more information about the Aplio CV, Toshiba 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.


AplioTM and iASSISTTM are trademarks of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.