News | Press Releases


August 30, 2007

EAST TENNESSEE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL INSTALLS TOSHIBA’S AQUILION 16- AND 64-SLICE CT SYSTEMS

Toshiba’s Contrast Resolution Technology Combines Low Dose with High Quality Imaging Ideal for Pediatric Use

TUSTIN, CA — August 30, 2007 — Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., a global provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, today announced that East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has installed two Aquilion® computed tomography systems — one 16-slice and one 64-slice.

Toshiba’s Aquilion line is ideal for imaging children for a variety of reasons. As the number of children undergoing evaluation using CT technology increases, so does concern about radiation exposure and patient safety. With its advanced dose reduction, 32mm detector coverage and low contrast-resolution features, the Aquilion line allows clinicians to conduct complex exams on children without sacrificing patient safety. Aquilion’s ability to image at 0.5mm isotropic slices is particularly important when imaging children because the isotropic resolution allows for improved visualization of smaller anatomies.

In addition to low dose, quick scan times are crucial to pediatric care given the difficultly for a small child to stay still long enough for an exam. Toshiba’s 16-slice and 64-slice CT systems can reduce the scan time up to one-fourth of the 4-slice, resulting in fast exams with superior resolution. Many CT exams require the patient to hold his or her breath for up to 20 seconds, which can be difficult for children. Due to the quick scan time, the Aquilion can achieve better results in just 5-10 seconds.

“As the only medical center in East Tennessee devoted solely to children, we operate under the philosophy that children are not small adults, but individuals with their own unique needs,” explained Dr. Cliff Meservy of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. “We selected Toshiba’s Aquilion line because of its contrast resolution technology that allows for low dose scanning while capturing high-quality images quickly. These are extremely important factors when working with children and will help improve their level of patient care and comfort.”

East Tennessee Children’s Hospital will use its new Aquilion 16- and 64-slice systems for general radiology.

“Toshiba’s Quantum detector is ideally suited for pediatric applications due to its industry leading dose efficiency,” said Doug Ryan, senior director, CT Business Unit. “In addition, the ability to acquire 64 x 0.5mm slices on Aquilion 64 provides both 32mm coverage and isotropic resolution — a perfect combination for imaging children.”

The Aquilion family of premium CT systems feature Toshiba’s proprietary Quantum detector technology — the only detector able to acquire up to 64 0.5 slices simultaneously. With 4-, 8-, 16-, 32- and 64-slice customizable slice configurations, the Aquilion CT systems deliver excellent image quality and provide outstanding performance and clinical productivity to meet the needs of any size hospital or clinic.

About East Tennessee Children’s Hospital
East Tennessee Children’s Hospital is a private, independent, not-for-profit pediatric medical center which has served the East Tennessee region for 70 years and is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.

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 190,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $62 billion. For more information, visit www.medical.toshiba.com.

Aquilion® is a trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.