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May 11, 2016

Toshiba’s Portable Ultrasound Provides Life-Changing Imaging During Pediatric Surgical Mission in Tanzania

Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Mending Kids Treat Children with Anorectal Malformations

TUSTIN, Calif., May 11, 2016 – Children in Tanzania with devastating anorectal malformations received life-changing corrective surgeries with the help of Toshiba’s ultrasound during a recent mission conducted by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Imaging plays a crucial role in these procedures and Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. donated its Viamo^TM ultrasound system for use during the mission.

In partnership with Mending Kids, 10 medical personnel from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital used the Toshiba system to evaluate pediatric patients with anorectal malformations, which occur in one in 5,000 live births, train local medical staff and perform 15 life-saving surgeries at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania, serving about 13 million people in the region.

“Through Mending Kids we were able to provide much needed medical technology to assist in the reconstructive training and best practices to treat anorectal malformation, which is commonly done in developed countries, but not easily achievable to many underdeveloped communities like Tanzania,” said Dr. Steven J. Kraus, chief, Radiography and Fluoroscopy, and radiologist, Department of Radiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. “Toshiba ultrasound’s excellent image quality and ease of use enabled our team to successfully assist in the workup for all of the anorectal surgical procedures performed. We were also able to conduct other valuable exams, including identifying tethered spinal cords, helping to find veins for IV access in the ICU and the imaging of conjoined twins.”

“Toshiba’s ultrasound systems are designed to meet a diverse set of clinical needs, and partnering with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Mending Kids has proven its diagnostic imaging success in remote locations and in challenging clinical circumstances,” said Satrajit Misra, vice president, Marketing and Strategic Development, Toshiba. “Medical imaging technology continues to transform the way patients are treated, assisting providers in finding diseases early and improving outcomes. This surgical mission in Tanzania is just one example of how Toshiba partners with healthcare providers to help give their patients another chance at living a longer and better life.”

About Mending Kids

Mending Kids provides life-saving surgical care to children worldwide. Over the years, thousands of children have received corrective, transformational surgeries that have given them a chance at longer, healthier and happier lives. Most of the surgeries performed correct congenital heart defects, orthopedic abnormalities, severe scoliosis, and significant cranial facial deformities. Mending Kids’ work is accomplished through four core programs: Overseas Surgical Missions; US Hometown Missions; Individual Surgical Care; and Training, Research, and Innovation.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems 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 Toshiba’s website at www.medical.toshiba.com.