TUSTIN, Calif., Dec. 8, 2005 -- Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. (TAMS) has announced availability of its F2 Edition/Version (V7) software and hardware for its Vantage family of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems, designed to improve acquisition speed and enhance image quality and detail.

According to Dr. Carmen P. Arango, founder of Arango Imaging Center in El Paso, Tx., the benefits have been immediate. "Since upgrading to the Vantage MRI with V7 software, we have experienced significant increases in throughput. In addition, we've seen a dramatic improvement in image quality and are pleased with the upgrade to the Vantage."

The proprietary F2 Edition Vantage enables improved applications for advanced imaging procedures, including Body Vision, Contrast-Free Improved Angiography, Fresh Blood Imaging, Water Excitation and Whole Heart Imaging. Currently, over 40 sites in the United States are running the V7 software, including Arango Imaging Center, Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging Center (SDMI) in Las Vegas and Long Beach Memorial Hospital in Long Beach, Calif.
"The new software and hardware are indicative of Toshiba's continued commitment to innovation and to meeting its customers' evolving needs for advanced imaging technology," said Bob Giegerich, director, MR Business Unit, TAMS. "The Vantage continues to prove its clinical value with superior imaging performance and patient-focused features for more comfortable MRI exams."

Version 7 Features and Benefits
The Vantage F2 Edition upgrade for Toshiba's Vantage users, is currently available for the existing Vantage AGV, MGV and XGV platforms and will be standard for all systems going forward as well as its works-in-progress ZGV platform. Included with the Vantage F2 Edition upgrade is a new Mach 7 processor and associated hardware to improve image reconstruction speeds from 410 images/second to 820 images/second at 256 x 256 matrix and full Field of View (FOV). Other key features include:
* Body Vision--Diffusion weighted imaging optimized for use in the trunk and torso
* Contrast-Free Improved Angiography--Specifically designed to optimize imaging of the lower extremities
* Water Excitation Technique (WET)--A magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) technique using Time of Flight MRA for imaging the carotid arteries without the use of contrast
* Whole Heart Imaging--A technique used to image the coronary arteries without contrast that uses Real Time Motion Correction to eliminate breath hold

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