Devices Radiology FDA

 News Release - November 27, 2006

Toshiba Announces FDA Clearance for New Vantage Atlas MRI System

MRI System Will Improve Patient Comfort and Enhance Workflow

CHICAGO--(HSMN NewsFeed)--Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. today announced that the Food and Drug Administration has cleared for market its new EXCELART Vantage(TM) powered by Atlas 1.5T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. The system will be showcased at the Radiological Society of North America's (RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago, Nov. 26-Dec. 1, 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 Pianissimo(TM) 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. For more information about the Vantage Atlas, visit Toshiba at RSNA booth #1129 (South Building, Hall A).

About Toshiba

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., an independent group company of Toshiba Corp., is a global leading provider of diagnostic medical imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, Cath & EP Labs, X-ray, Ultrasound, Nuclear Medicine, MRI and information systems. Toshiba Corp. is a leader in information and communications systems, electronic components, consumer products, and power systems. Toshiba has approximately 161,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $54 billion.

Source: Toshiba America Medical Systems

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