The 2007 Frost & Sullivan Global CT Systems Product Differentiation Innovation Award is conferred upon Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation (Toshiba) in recognition of its revolutionary Aquilion ONETM dynamic volume CT scanner. This innovative scanner is set to open new doors in clinical applications for computed tomography (CT) and has firmly established Toshiba as a technology leader in the global CT systems market.

“Toshiba is the only company in the medical imaging market to have a dynamic volume CT scanner with 320 detector rows ready for commercial launch in 2008,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Divya B. “This in itself is the primary differentiator, distinguishing Toshiba from competing medical equipment vendors.”

The innovative features of Aquilion ONE support several advancements in clinical applications. For instance, it paves the way for ‘one-beat whole-heart imaging’ - the whole heart can be scanned within one heart beat versus five or more heart beats on 64 slice machines.

“Another area where the dynamic volume scanner is set to have a profound impact is in perfusion imaging,” adds Divya. “The Aquilion ONE scanner makes ‘functional CT’ a possible contender to functional MRI and, due to the wide coverage of the system, contrast inflow and outflow can be effectively tracked, enabling an improved study of the organ under function.”

The ability to capture a whole organ in a single rotation with the Aquilion ONE opens up the prospect of having new CT applications, such as dynamic imaging. Physicians can now see contrast enhanced blood flow through a whole brain or other organs. Other clinical areas, such as dynamic orthopedic or oncology imaging, would also benefit significantly.

Moreover, the lowered radiation dose, due to the system’s specifications, results in better clinical outcomes. For instance, a stroke scan with Aquilion ONE will not only include a non-contrast head and neurovascular computed tomography angiography (CTA) but also a whole-brain perfusion, all of them performed and evaluated in less than 10 minutes, resulting in considerable cost and time savings for users.

“While other medical imaging vendors are concentrating on the commercial launch of a 128 slice scanner or have a 256 slice scanner still in the development phase, Toshiba has already installed several Aquilion ONE scanners worldwide,” remarks Divya. “This strategy of thinking ahead and staying ahead has given Toshiba the edge over its competitors.”

The company also provides training in the ground-breaking clinical applications with its Aquilion ONE scanner. John Hopkins and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in the U.S., Fujita Health University in Japan, Charite University Hospital in Germany and University Health Network in Canada as well as many others have already installed the Aquilion ONE, indicating the effectiveness of the system.

The Frost & Sullivan Award for Product Differentiation Innovation is presented each year to the company that has best demonstrated the ability to develop and/or advance products with more innovative capabilities than competing vendors and products. This Award recognizes the company’s successful adoption of new or existing technology that has become a part of its well-designed product family. Such innovation is expected to significantly contribute to the industry in terms of product performance and degree/rate of technical change.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.

About Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation

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 191,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of $60 billion. For more information, visit www.medical.toshiba.com.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partnering with clients to support the development of innovative strategies for more than 40 years. The company’s industry expertise integrates growth consulting, growth partnership services, and corporate management training to identify and develop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investment community by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects a unique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. For more information, visit www.awards.frost.com.

Aquilion ONE and Aquilion are trademarks of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation.

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