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December 2, 2010

NEW TOSHIBA VANTAGE TITAN HSR 1.5T PRODUCES OUTSTANDING IMAGE QUALITY FOR ADVANCED MR APPLICATIONS

The Advanced Gradients of the Titan HSR Improve Temporal and Spatial Resolution for Increased Diagnostic Confidence

CHICAGO, Dec. 2, 2010 – Certain MR exams such as advanced cardiac and neuro imaging require a system with enhanced gradients for better image quality and quicker exams. For these applications, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. announces the new Vantage TitanTM HSR 1.5T MR with high slew rate gradients and new user interface, M-Power. Toshiba will showcase the new Vantage Titan HSR (pending 510k clearance) at this year’s Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting, held in Chicago, Nov. 28 – Dec. 3, 2010 (Booth #3435, South Hall).

The high slew rate gradients (Gradient strength 30 [mT/m] | Slew rate 203 [mT/m/ms]) of the Titan HSR improve the capability for advanced cardiac and neuro applications as well as MRA body, breast and abdominal imaging. The new gradients improve temporal and spatial resolution and the ability for clinicians to make accurate diagnoses. The M-Power interface has many new efficiency tools as well as advanced post-processing software available on the main console, enhancing department workflow. The system also features an open bore that is 18 percent larger than other 1.5T systems on the market and features a large 71-centimeter patient aperture, outstanding homogeneity, and the largest available clinical field-of-view (FOV) of 55 x 55 x 50 centimeters, providing the highest level of patient care and diagnostic capability in MR imaging.

The Vantage Titan HSR is an enhancement to the Vantage Titan and therefore includes numerous patient-friendly features. The Vantage Titan HSR’s patient-focused features significantly improve patient comfort and increase the range of patients who can be imaged with MR. The open bore provides a greater feeling of openness for the patient, and Toshiba’s patented PianissimoTM technology dramatically reduces acoustic noise, the most significant cause of patient discomfort during an MR exam. The Vantage Titan HSR also utilizes Toshiba’s Atlas SPEEDERTM integrated coil technology to reduce exam time and improve the overall exam experience for patients. Since the coils are integrated into the table, patients do not need to be continually repositioned which saves time and improves patient comfort. Additionally, many procedures can be performed feet first with a patient’s head comfortably lying outside of the bore, significantly reducing claustrophobia.

The Vantage Titan HSR MR system also takes advantage of Toshiba’s proprietary, contrast-free MRA techniques – Fresh Blood Imaging (FBI), Contrast-free Improved Angiography (CIA), Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse (Time-SLIP) and Time Space Angiography (TSA). Contrast-free imaging is particularly important because gadolinium, the most common contrast agent used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) exams, has been directly linked to a sometimes fatal disease that occurs in patients with renal insufficiency, called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD).

“Combining high slew rate gradients with the Vantage Titan’s patient-focused features creates the premium 1.5T MR system on the market,” said Stuart Clarkson, director, MR Business Unit, Toshiba. “Advanced MR applications are allowing patients to undergo safer imaging with no radiation, all while providing highly accurate information for diagnosis.”

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, MRI and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a worldwide leader in technology, electronic and electrical products, digital consumer products, electronic devices and components, power systems, industrial and social infrastructure systems and home appliances. Toshiba was founded in 1875 and today operates a global network of more than 742 companies with more than 204,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing $68 billion. For more information, visit Toshiba’s website at www.medical.toshiba.com.