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March 27, 2007

TOSHIBA UNVEILS CARDIO PACKAGE FOR APLIO XG ULTRASOUND AT ACC

Software Enhancements Allow for Improved Patient Outcomes, Including Accurate Identification of Cardiac Resynchronization Candidates

NEW ORLEANS, LA — March 27, 2007 — Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. today announced it will showcase its Aplio™ XG ultrasound system including the latest innovations for diagnosing heart disease. For the first time, the Aplio XG cardio package will be featured at this year’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting, March 24–27, 2007 in New Orleans — booth #2414 (Hall D).

Designed to meet the complex needs of today’s cardiologist, the new comprehensive cardio package features several proprietary innovations for high performance cardiac examinations, as well as research and quantification studies. This includes Tissue Doppler Imaging Quantification (TDI-Q) — software that allows clinicians to perform various analyses for TDI images, measuring myocardial viability and aiding in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease.

As part of the TDI-Q package, the Aplio XG offers Dysynchronous Imaging (DI), a technique that aids cardiologists in the quantification of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony by providing a color-coded display that demonstrates the timing of events within the myocardium of the heart. Early mechanical events are “green” and severely delayed events are displayed “red,” allowing clinicians to quickly identify the presence and severity of the patient’s dyssynchronous events. The DI method allows physicians to select the optimal candidates for cardiac resynchronization therapy because quantitative values are now available.

“Aplio XG delivers superb image quality,” said Richard Marcus, MD, director, Cardiovascular Ultrasound Laboratory at the Iowa Heart Center. “Even on obese patients, the 2D and color Doppler provide meaningful hemodynamic data.”

“The newly designed control panel and LCD are both easy to use and ergonomically friendly. This is especially important for a busy practice such as ours,” said Paula Carr, RDCS, technical director of the Echo Lab at the Iowa Heart Center.

The Aplio XG’s TDI-Q software performs various analyses via the following unique features:

  • Harmonic Tissue Doppler — This option allows for clearer signal and better, more accurate data analysis.
  • Angle Correction — Cardiologists have the ability to evaluate the synchronicity, not only longitudinally, but can use the short axis view to obtain radial information. As a result, the detailed clinical information provided by the DI method improves both the accuracy for evaluating dyssynchrony in heart failure patients as well as determining the most appropriate treatment plan for cardiac resynchronization therapy, including pacemaker implantation and optimization.
  • Tissue Tracking — Allows for accurate tracking through the cardiac cycle of the myocardium to gauge thickening of the tissue.

Additionally, the system features Tissue Strain Imaging (TSI), an evaluation tool that clearly displays the regional myocardial strain quantitatively during systole. TSI, along with displacement imaging, also can be utilized for bi-ventricular pacing.

“Toshiba’s continued advancement of enhanced cardiac applications for ultrasound illustrates the company’s commitment to develop applications that are important to our customers,” said Gordon Parhar, director, Ultrasound Business Unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. “We strive to introduce features that continue to improve diagnostic confidence and streamline clinical workflow, and have secured our global leadership position due to the increased adoption of our premium and high-end ultrasound systems.”

Aplio XG
Offering the latest advancements in diagnostic performance and operator comfort, the next generation Aplio XG provides several enhancements that improve productivity, increase diagnostic confidence, facilitate connectivity and enhance ergonomics. Enhancements include a new iTOUCH® ergo-optimized control panel and 19″ LCD that have been added to increase user comfort. The Aplio XG also is IHE compliant for improved connectivity and workflow.

For more information about the Aplio XG, visit Toshiba’s ACC booth #2414 in Hall D orwww.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 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.

Aplio™ is the trade mark of Toshiba Medical Systems