For Immediate Release
Contact:
mktgcomm@tams.com
TOSHIBA'S VANTAGE MRI SYSTEM ACHIEVES NO. 1 RANKING IN KLAS PERFORMANCE STUDY
Image Quality
and Patient Comfort Cited as Reasons for High Ranking
TUSTIN,
CA — October 16, 2006 — Highlighting its position as a leading provider
of diagnostic imaging technologies, Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.'s Vantage
1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system ranked first in a multichannel MRI
performance report by KLAS Enterprises LLC. The Vantage received a score of 92 out
of 100, the highest of all major vendors.
Toshiba led scoring
in every performance and business indicator category, including enterprise commitment
to technology and proactive service. In addition, respondents cited the Vantage's
image quality and patient comfort as two primary reasons for recommending the system
to a colleague.
"We are thrilled
to be recognized by KLAS as the leader in MR performance," said Bob Giegerich, director
of the MR Business Unit at Toshiba. "These results reinforce Toshiba as a leader
in MR and are indicative of Toshiba's dedication to unmatched customer service.
Our KLAS distinction in MR complements our already high overall vendor ratings in
CT technology."
KLAS, a research
and analyzing firm that monitors the performance of health information technology
vendors and professional services firms, released the Multichannel MRI Performance
Study on Sept. 27, 2006. Participants included clinics, imaging centers and hospitals
ranging in size from one to 1,000 beds.
The KLAS results
follow an August 2006 MD Buyline report, which demonstrated Toshiba's MR business
unit has consistently performed above the industry average for almost two years.
The Vantage 1.5T
MRI system reflects Toshiba's commitment to caring for patients and the physician's
business. Combining exclusive patient comfort features and industry-leading homogeneity,
this system offers the fast, comfortable exams patients appreciate and outstanding
images physicians rely on. Vantage provides diagnostic confidence because its components
work together well, providing quality healthcare.
The Vantage features
one of the industry's shortest magnets at 140 cm with linear 30 mT/m gradient strength
and a slew rate of 130 mT/m/ms for the Vantage CGV. Despite the short length of
the magnet, the system delivers one of the highest magnet homogeneity in the industry
within a full 50 cm diameter spherical volume. With Toshiba's patented Pianissimo™
technology, which effectively reduces acoustic noise by as much as 90 percent, the
Vantage significantly reduces the most significant cause for patient discomfort
and enables clinicians to better utilize the system's high-field MRI capabilities
and SPEEDER parallel processing for increased image acquisition speed and reduced
exam times.
About
Toshiba America Medical Systems
With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc. 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.
About
KLAS
A research and analyzing firm specializing in monitoring and reporting the performance
of HIT vendors and Professional Services Firms, KLAS helps healthcare providers
make informed technology decisions by offering accurate, honest, impartial vendor
performance information. In 2006, KLAS also began monitoring equipment vendors.
KLAS independently monitors vendor performance through the active participation
of thousands of healthcare organizations. KLAS uses a stringent methodology to ensure
all data and ratings are accurate, honest and impartial. Research results are offered
to healthcare providers through a free directory of vendor and product information,
free online access to vendor ratings for participating providers and in-depth published
reports discounted for participating providers. For more information on KLAS, visit
www.healthcomputing.com.
Pianissimo™
is a trademark of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.
© 2006 KLAS
Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.