Toshiba's Advanced CT Helps Reduce Radiation Dose for Safer Exams

TUSTIN, Calif. --(Business Wire)--

To make exams faster, safer and more comfortable for patients, Emerson Hospital in Concord, Mass., installed the Aquilion™ PRIME 160 CT system from Toshiba (News - Alert) America Medical Systems, Inc., featuring AIDR 3D dose reduction software. Emerson Hospital uses the Aquilion PRIME for general exams, including CT angiography, orthopedic and cardiac imaging, with significantly less radiation dose.

"In some cases, patients are exposed to half the radiation dose with Toshiba's Aquilion PRIME when compared to our previous CT system," said Pat Sousa, director, Radiology, Emerson (News - Alert) Hospital. "Additionally, the system will help us expand our bariatric program and eliminate the need to refer some bariatric patients to other local facilities, due to the 78 cm aperture gantry and a 660-pound patient weight capacity couch."

The Aquilion PRIME is an 80-detector row CT system that can generate 160 unique slices per rotation and features a 7.5 MHU large-capacity tube and 0.35-second scanning. The system also features AIDR 3D, Toshiba's simplified iterative dose reconstruction software, which incorporates significant system enhancements by reducing radiation dose compared with conventional scanning.

"The system's 3D visualization software is an important tool for diagnosing narrowed arteries in the neck, aneurysms and pulmonary embolisms, as well as arterial blockages in the aorta and legs," said Dr. Mark Connaughton, radiologist, Emerson Hospital. "The higher-horsepower 3D software also enables clinicians to precisely locate bone fragments in complicated fractures."

"With the most advanced CT technology, Emerson can expand its clinical capabilities and offer shorter and safer exams with even less radiation dose to the patient," said Satrajit Misra, senior director, CT Business Unit, Toshiba.

About Emerson Hospital

Emerson Hospital is a multi-site health system headquartered in Concord, Mass., with additional facilities in Bedford, Sudbury, Groton and Westford. The 179-bed hospital provides advanced medical services to more than 300,000 individuals in 25 towns. To learn more, visit www.emersonhospital.org.

About Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) 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 the TAMS website at www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation

Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a leading worldwide provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray and vascular, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and MRI systems, as well as information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation has been providing medical products for over 80 years. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 550 consolidated companies, with 202,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 6.1 trillion yen (US$74 billion). Visit Toshiba's website at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.