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March 22, 2014

Toshiba’s Smart Fusion Ultrasound Technology Improves Interventional Accuracy

Successful Biopsies and Reduced Procedure Times Using Ultrasound-guidance; Showcased at SIR

SAN DIEGO, Calif., March 22, 2014 – Ultrasound-guided biopsies are more accurate and safer with Toshiba’s Smart Fusion ultrasound technology, giving clinicians a worry-free experience to focus on what matters most. Toshiba will showcase Smart Fusion at this year’s Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) annual meeting, in San Diego, Calif., March 22–27, 2014 (Booth #1236).

“Smart Fusion has allowed us to save patients from getting open surgical biopsies and increased our confidence in identifying the right lesion accurately, safely and quickly,” said Dr. Van Young, interventional radiologist, St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “We’ve seen procedure times decrease from 30 to 15 minutes because of the ability to find smaller and difficult-to-access lesions during ultrasound-guided biopsies. Another significant benefit of Smart Fusion is reducing dose to patients and physicians by lowering the number of CT-only guided biopsies.”

Smart Fusion syncs previously acquired CT and MR images with live ultrasound side by side on a single screen, helping to locate lesions and aiding in ultrasound-guided procedures. Toshiba’s Smart Fusion is easy to use, with the most intuitive user setup available. Smart Fusion is available on Toshiba’s premier ultrasound system, Aplio^TM 500. The Aplio 500 offers industry-leading depth and detail, as well as efficient and precise exams with enhanced workflow tools and ergonomics, including the iStyle^TM+ Productivity Suite.

“Toshiba’s advancements in ultrasound technology are expanding its applications so healthcare providers can feel confident in using a safe, inexpensive and accurate modality,” said Tomohiro Hasegawa, director, Ultrasound Business Unit, Toshiba. “For example, if a biopsy or ablation can be performed with ultrasound instead of CT, even if it takes the same amount of time, the healthcare provider will benefit from using the more cost-effective system while reducing radiation exposure to the patient and clinician.”

About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) markets, sells, distributes and services radiology and cardiovascular systems, including CT, MR, ultrasound, X-ray and cardiovascular equipment, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. For more information, visit the TAMS website at www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation

Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray and vascular, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and MRI systems, as well as information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation has been providing medical products for over 80 years. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba. Visit Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation’s website at www.toshibamedicalsystems.com.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba’s website at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.