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March 7, 2006

KLAS SURVEY RANKS TOSHIBA’S AQUILION 64-SLICE CT SYSTEM TOP AMONG LEADING MEDICAL IMAGING TECHNOLOGY VENDORS

TUSTIN, Calif. March 7, 2006 – Reinforcing its position as a leader in the diagnostic imaging marketplace, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS) today announced results of the KLAS 64-slice CT perception report, which ranked Toshiba’s Aquilion^TM 64-slice CT system at the top in overall vendor ratings, outpacing leading diagnostic imaging manufacturers. 

The KLAS 64-slice CT perception report surveyed more than 300 healthcare professionals, including imaging directors and managers, C-level executives and physicians on survey categories, including service; ability to deliver product; upgrade path; scanner reliability; end- user presentation; cost and value; technology and architecture; post-processing capabilities; and PACS (picture archiving and communication systems) integration. 

In addition to Toshiba’s top distinction in overall vendor ratings, the survey revealed that Toshiba scored highest in four categories, including cost and value, technology and architecture, post processing capabilities, and integration into existing PACS solutions. 

According to Doug Ryan, director, CT Business Unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems, the company is extremely pleased with its position in the KLAS survey.  “Our standings in the KLAS survey are noteworthy due in large part to the extensive criteria evaluated and large survey population.  The report reinforces much of what we have seen in other industry surveys like MD Buyline and validates our commitment to prioritize the delivery of leading-edge technology and excellent customer service,” Ryan said.

In addition to four first-place ratings, Toshiba’s 64-slice CT system also tied for first place or scored above average in two more categories, including the ability to deliver product and the technology’s upgrade path. 

Additionally, MD Buyline results released in January 2006 placed Toshiba first in the multislice CT category among four major medical imaging technology vendors with an average rating of nearly 9.5, on a scale of 10, based on performance, reliability, applications training and service repair quality.  Toshiba has held the top spot with MD Buyline for more than three years. 

Toshiba’s Aquilion 64 CFX—World’s Most Advanced 64-Slice CT System
The Aquilion 64 CFX allows physicians to easily capture precise, motion-free images of the heart and coronary arteries to identify soft plaque or measure coronary blockage and detect signs of disease at its earliest stages, reducing the need for high-risk interventional procedures. 

Featuring the most advanced multi-detector CT technology available, the Aquilion 64 CFX utilizes Toshiba’s unique 64-row Quantum detector, which enables the Aquilion CT scanner to acquire 64 simultaneous slices of 0.5 mm with each 400-millisecond gantry revolution, resulting in precise isotropic imaging of any region of the body.  Additionally, the Aquilion 64 CFX’s superior multi-detector design produces the best low contrast resolution at the lowest dose, critical for plaque imaging.

For more information about TAMS and its wide range of medical imaging products, please visit our Web site at www.medical.toshiba.com.

About KLAS
KLAS, founded in 1996, is the only research and consulting firm specializing in monitoring and reporting the performance of Healthcare’s Information Technology (HIT) vendors and beginning in 2004, the performance of healthcare Professional Services Firms (PSFs). Our staff and advisory board average 25 years of healthcare information technology experience.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems
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.
Aquilion^TM is a registered trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.