TUSTIN, CA - Every minute counts when diagnosing a stroke. Now, Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital in Buffalo, N.Y. has installed a CT system that can dramatically reduce the time it takes to diagnose stroke symptoms. Toshiba's Aquilion® ONE dynamic volume CT system is now operational at the hospital's Kaleida Health Stroke Center.

Developed by Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, the Aquilion ONE dynamic volume CT is the only medical imaging system that can image the entire brain and show real-time brain function in less time than traditional multi-detector row CT systems.

"As the only CT system of its kind, the Aquilion ONE's ability to reduce stroke diagnosis time from hours and days to minutes will dramatically improve the quality of life for our patients," explained Donald Boyd, interim president, Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital. "We are committed to using the most advanced technology available and feel the Aquilion ONE will allow for faster, more accurate diagnosis of stroke, helping to ensure better patient outcomes and lower healthcare costs."
Introduced in November 2007, dynamic volume CT scans an entire organ in a single pass and produces 4D videos that show an organ's structure, its movement and blood flow. In comparison, a 64-slice, 128-slice or 256-slice CT scan can only capture a portion of an organ in a single pass, requiring physicians to "stitch together" multiple scans of an organ to get a full image. The new technology helps reduce multiple exposures to radiation and exam time.

"According to the American Stroke Association (ASA), stroke is the leading cause of disability in the U.S. with a stroke occurring every 40 seconds," said Doug Ryan, senior director, CT Business Unit, Toshiba. "In 2008, Americans are estimated to spend approximately $65.5 billion for stroke-related medical costs and disability. By using the Aquilion ONE to assist in the detection of stroke as early as possible, we hope to improve patient outcomes and help reduce healthcare costs."

Millard Fillmore is home to a multi-disciplinary team trained in stroke care that comprises the hospital's Kaleida Health Stroke Center. It is the first stroke center in the U.S. to offer dynamic volume CT. This primary stroke center has been awarded the Gold Seal of Approval™ and achieved Disease-Specific Care Certification for Acute Stroke from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO). It is the only hospital in Western New York with this certification, which has been given to less than one percent of U.S. hospitals, and also is a Designated Stroke Center by the New York State Dept. of Health.

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