News | Press Releases

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March 7, 2007

TOSHIBA INSTALLS LANDMARK 400th VANTAGE 1.5T MRI SYSTEM

For LakeWest Hospital, State-of-the-Art Technology Results in Greater Patient Comfort and Better Clinical Outcomes

TUSTIN, CA — March 7, 2007 — Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. — a trusted leader in medical imaging technology — has achieved a significant milestone: the installation of its 400th Excelart Vantage 1.5T, high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system. The installation occurred at LakeWest Hospital in Willoughby, Ohio (part of the Lake Hospital System) and marks more than 100 Vantage installs in the last nine months.

Toshiba’s patented Pianissimo™ technology, which reduces acoustic noise by as much as 90 percent, is a key component of the line’s rapid adoption and clinical acceptance. The noise reduction technology eliminates the most significant cause of patient nervousness and often removes the need for anti-anxiety medication or sedation during routine scans. In addition, Toshiba’s SPEEDER parallel imaging technology allows clinicians to perform exams in a single breath hold, reducing motion artifacts and increasing image quality.

According to Assistant Director of the Department of Radiology, Lake Hospital System, David A. Steiger, M.D., the new Vantage will be used to conduct a wide range of advanced diagnostic imaging applications to aid in the early diagnosis of life-threatening diseases.

“We are dedicated to providing the most accurate diagnosis and treatment options available. We are currently conducting about 9,000 MRI scans a year, and the first step in delivering the best results is making sure the patient is comfortable during the exam process,” Dr. Steiger said. “With Toshiba’s Vantage system, the noise is drastically reduced, which results in improved patient comfort and better clinical outcomes.”

According to Bob Giegerich, director, Toshiba’s MR Business Unit, the 400th install of the state-of-the-art system is a true milestone for the company. “We’ve seen a rapid rate of acceptance of the Vantage since the line’s inception,” he said. “This achievement illustrates Toshiba’s strong, continued commitment to develop advanced technology systems to help clinicians deliver improved patient care and ensure more accurate diagnosis and treatment options.”

Vantage MRI: Unmatched Clinical Performance
Featuring some of the most advanced MRI applications available in the industry, the Vantage offers a wide range of optional packages for cardiac imaging advanced Echo Planar Imaging, Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging, Peripheral Angiography, Fresh Blood Imaging, SuperFASE (Fast Advanced Spin Echo) Imaging and Body Vision. In addition, Toshiba’s SPEEDER parallel imaging allows for increased acquisition speed and reduced examination times.

For more information about the Excelart Vantage or Toshiba’s wide-range of diagnostic imaging technologies, visit www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Lake Hospital System
For five consecutive years NorthCoast 99 has named Lake Hospital System one of the 99 Best Places to work in Northeast Ohio. HealthGrades® also recently named Lake Hospital System among the top five percent of all hospitals in the nation. A leader in community-based health care in Northeast Ohio, Lake Hospital System provides high-quality, accessible health services for all stages of life. Lake Hospital System delivers progressive, compassionate health care through eight state-of-the-art facilities staffed by more than 500 physicians and 2,200 health care professionals.

About Toshiba America Medical, Inc.
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 Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, MRI and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products, and power systems. Toshiba has approximately 172,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $54 billion.

Excelart Vantage™ and Pianissimo™ are trademarks of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.