Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. announced that it will install the first U.S. site beta 256-slice Computed Tomography (CT) scanner at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and its Heart Institute in Baltimore, Maryland in February 2007. Johns Hopkins will test the beta system for its value in early assessment of critical radiology and cardiac CT protocols.

The beta system will be at Hopkins for a limited time to acquire data to further clinical research and product development.

(NOTE: New equipment from Toshiba shown at RSNA 2006 can be seen by scrolling down.)

Toshiba’s 256-slice works-in-progress CT is designed to acquire a large volume of data that can cover the brain or heart in a single rotation. The system’s volume acquisition provides more accurate images and lowers dose, resulting in more accurate, quicker diagnoses. Additionally, dynamic multiple phase studies such as perfusion of the brain, heart or other organs are possible.

“Toshiba has enjoyed a collaborative partnership and worked closely in the development of Cardiac CTA (computed tomography angiography) with Johns Hopkins,” said Doug Ryan, senior director of Toshiba’s CT Business Unit.

“The installation of the 256-slice beta system will be used by both radiology and cardiology and provides a tremendous opportunity to further medical imaging and research utilizing revolutionary CT technology.”

New Vantage Atlas MRI system and Aplio XG ultrasound introduced at RSNA 2006


The Vantage Atlas 1.5T MRI features
a new 128-element system

Toshiba showcase its new EXCELART Vantage™ powered by Atlas 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system as a works-in-progress at RSNA 2006.

The Vantage Atlas 1.5T MRI system features a complete redesign of the system. The new 128-element system will meet clinical demands for an MRI system that delivers high-resolution images across the entire body with faster imaging times, rendering quick and accurate diagnosis, and will increase patient comfort. The new Atlas system design is an integrated coil concept that will allow clinicians to perform multiple exams without repositioning the patient. This will mean more comfortable exam experiences and will result in enhanced workflow and technologist productivity. Also, the Vantage Atlas’ optional 205-cm acquisition range allows for feet-first imaging for the entire body, except the neck and head.

“The Vantage Atlas features state-of-the-art technology and is designed with exceptional patient care and comfort in mind,” said Bob Giegerich, director, MR Business Unit, Toshiba. “The system not only decreases imaging time and broadens future upgrade capabilities, its imaging quality is second-to-none.”

Vantage MRI: Unmatched Clinical Performance
Featuring some of the most advanced MRI applications available in the industry, the Vantage offers a wide range of optional packages for cardiac imaging, including advanced Echo Planar Imaging, Diffusion and Perfusion Imaging, Peripheral Angiography and Fresh Blood Imaging, SuperFASE (Fast Advanced Spin Echo) Imaging and Body Vision. In addition, Toshiba’s SPEEDER parallel imaging allows for increased acquisition speed and reduced examination times.
With Toshiba's patented PianissimoTM technology, the Vantage dramatically reduces acoustic noise, the most significant cause of patient discomfort during an MRI exam, and enables clinicians to better utilize all of the system's high-field MRI capabilities.


TOSHIBA INTRODUCES APLIO XG


The Aplio XG provides several enhancements
that improve productivity and
increase diagnostic confidence

Toshiba newest innovations for its AplioTM ultrasound system, the Aplio XG, was demonstrated for the first time at RSNA 2006.

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. Upgrade enhancements include new 4D technology, which allows users to acquire volume data sets for subsequent, off-line review. The Aplio XG’s 3D multi-slice view delivers sequential imaging with a presentation format similar to CT and MR. Additionally, slice thickness and the number of images displayed can be selected by the user. A new ergo-optimized control panel and 19” LCD also have been added to increase user comfort. The Aplio XG also is IHE compliant for improved connectivity and workflow.

“Aplio XG offers clinically relevant technologies that will help clinicians with their patient workloads,” said Edward Grant, M.D., professor and chair, Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California.

Volumetric Imaging
Volume Ultrasound produces multidimensional images that can be viewed in any plane. The transducer automatically captures the volume data sets as it scans the area of interest. With 3D Multi-Slice imaging, the user selects the slice thickness, as well as the number of 2D images displayed. Coronal views can be displayed, which are unavailable with conventional 2D imaging. This quantifiable data can be thoroughly interrogated on the UL system or off-line at a workstation – freeing the ultrasound system to image more patients, which can subsequently boost productivity.