News | Press Release
December 3, 2013
NEW TOSHIBA ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY SHOWS BLOOD FLOW LIKE NEVER BEFORE
Latest Innovation Will Give Clinicians a Worry-Free Experience So They Can Focus on What Matters Most
CHICAGO, Dec. 3, 2013 – Ultrasound will be able to depict blood flow with more detail and accuracy using Toshiba’s new innovative ultrasound technology (works-in-progress). This capability is the latest advancement to Toshiba’s premium Aplio™ 500 ultrasound system, which will help provide clinicians with a worry-free experience.
Despite advances in ultrasound, current imaging techniques struggle to detect microvascular blood flow in areas like the liver, kidneys, abdomen and lymph nodes, because of limitations in conventional Doppler technologies. Toshiba’s new technology will help solve this problem and current evaluations have shown great promise in its ability to characterize tumors.
Dr. Flemming Forsberg, Ph.D., professor of Radiology at Thomas Jefferson University, is impressed with his early analysis of the technology. “The images we’ve produced so far with this technology are stunning,” Forsberg said. “It is able to clearly show low blood flow in small vessels throughout the body. The potential clinical utility for characterizing lesions, cysts and tumors could make ultrasound an even more important tool in diagnoses.”
Dr. Jiro Hata, Ph.D., professor, Dept. of Clinical Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Kawasaki Medical School in Japan, an early evaluator of this technology, is excited about its potential. “This level of vascular visualization combined with high frame rates is something we could not do before in ultrasound,” Hata said. “For example, ultrasound can now help with the evaluation of changing blood flow patterns, especially in the gastrointestinal tract.”
This innovation allows for the visualization of microvascular blood flow never before seen with ultrasound, reinforcing Toshiba’s commitment to enabling safer exams for patients and more cost-effective solutions for hospitals. Toshiba introduced this new technology at this year’s Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting in Chicago, Dec. 1–6, 2013 (Booth #7330, North Hall).
About Toshiba of Canada Limited, Medical Systems Division
With headquarters in Markham, Ontario, Toshiba of Canada Limited, Medical Systems Division (TCL), 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 Canada. For more information, visit the TCL Medical Systems Division website at www.toshiba-medical.ca
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. Visit Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation’s website at www.toshibamedicalsystems.com.
About Toshiba
Toshiba Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, channels world-class capabilities in advanced electronic and electrical products and systems into five strategic business domains: Energy & Infrastructure, Community Solutions, Healthcare Systems & Services, Electronic Devices & Components, and Lifestyles Products & Services. Guided by the principles of The Basic Commitment of the Toshiba Group, “Committed to People, Committed to the Future,” Toshiba promotes global operations towards securing “Growth Through Creativity and Innovation” and is contributing to the achievement of a world in which people everywhere live in a safe, secure and comfortable society. Founded in Tokyo in 1875, today’s Toshiba is at the heart of a global network of over 590 consolidated companies employing over 200,000 people worldwide, with annual sales surpassing 6.5 trillion yen (US$63 billion). To find out more about Toshiba, visit www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.
