Setting new standards in healthcare with unmatched image quality and industry-leading clinical features, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. (TAMS) today announced that its Aquilion(TM) 64 multislice computed tomography (CT) system will achieve full production for worldwide shipment in Q1 2005. Toshiba has already completed installations at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Imaging Center (BIDMC) in Boston, Steinberg Diagnostic Medical Imaging Center (SDMI) in Las Vegas, Methodist Hospital in Arcadia, Calif., Charite University of Berlin, and Fujita Health University in Japan.

"With the first installation of the Aquilion 64 completed, Toshiba has not only proven its clinical capabilities with 64-slice CT technology but also demonstrated its partnerships with top medical imaging sites around the world," said Doug Ryan, director, CT Business Unit, Toshiba America Medical Systems Inc. "Based on the success of the worldwide installations, Toshiba is ready to offer to the most advanced 64-slice CT system for general radiology, trauma, pediatric, interventional and cardiovascular applications."

Quantum Detector and Precise Isotropic Scanning Expand Clinical Capabilities

Featuring the most advanced multislice CT technologies available, the Aquilion 64-slice CT is built on the same platform as the Aquilion 32, utilizing Toshiba's unique 64-row Quantum detector, volumetric imaging capabilities and advanced software applications.

At the heart of the Aquilion 64-slice CT is its superior multi-detector design, the most sophisticated CT detector that enables high-speed, high-resolution imaging with the best low-contrast resolution at the lowest dose. The Quantum detector enables the Aquilion CT scanner to acquire 64 simultaneous slices of 0.5 mm with each 400-millisecond gantry revolution. The result is precise isotropic imaging of any region of the body during a breath-hold under 10 seconds.

The Aquilion 64-slice CT is the world's first FDA-cleared 64-slice system installed in clinical sites. Aquilion is the world's only true volumetric 64 CT system with 64 detector channels, 3-D cone beam algorithms and volume reconstruction. Using the Aquilion 64, physicians can now use CT for advanced applications such as visualizing soft plaque and functional imaging.

For more information about the Aquilion 64, TAMS and its wide range of medical imaging products, please visit www.medical.toshiba.com.

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, 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 $53 billion.