Toshiba America Medical Systems of Tustin, CA, will be showcasing a range of new technology at next month's 2010 RSNA meeting in Chicago, including a new helical scanning mode and low-dose protocol for CT, noncontrast MR imaging, and 4D ultrasound imaging.
In CT, the Tustin, CA-based vendor will be devoting attention to its new 160-detector helical scanning capability for its Aquilion One and Aquilion Premium scanners. The work-in-progress ultrahelical scanning mode can scan the entire chest, abdomen, and pelvis in less than five seconds, according to the firm. Toshiba believes the method is ideal for routine body imaging and for patients who have difficulty staying still during exams.
Toshiba will also be featuring a new wide-volume imaging protocol for Aquilion One. The method is designed to image a large region of the chest in only two to three volume x-ray rotations. Targeted at ECG-gated CT imaging, Aquilion One's 16-cm coverage and wide-volume cardiac protocol allow physicians to quickly image the entire lung, aorta, and heart, Toshiba said.
In low-dose CT developments, Toshiba will be debuting Target CTA and its work-in-progress adaptive iterative dose reduction (AIDR) technology. Target CTA is an Aquilion One dose cardiac protocol for patients with stable heart rates, including pediatrics, Toshiba said.
AIDR, a software algorithm that reduces noise from images to increase image quality and lower radiation dose by up to 75%, is pending U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance. When available, AIDR will come standard on the Aquilion Premium and One scanners.
In MR, Toshiba will again be highlighting its work-in-progress Titan 3-tesla MR scanner, first showcased at last year's RSNA meeting. The company said it will also tout its proprietary noncontrast imaging technologies, including fresh blood imaging (FBI), contrast-free improved angiography (CIA), time-spatial labeling inversion pulse (Time-SLIP), and time and space angiography (TSA).
In x-ray, Toshiba will bring its Infinix VF-i/BP vascular x-ray system to Chicago again this year, and will be highlighting new advances in its 3D roadmap technology. The vendor's RadRex-i mixed-detector digital radiography system will also return this year. In addition, Toshiba will showcase its Kalare radiography/fluoroscopy system.
In ultrasound, Toshiba will unwrap upgrades to its Viamo ultrasound system. The vendor has incorporated ApliPure Plus; tissue pure imaging; a new high-frequency, tightly curved transducer; and DICOM structured reporting capability. A new 40-cm depth setting also has been added.
Toshiba is also shining the spotlight on 4D imaging and workflow enhancements to its ultrasound line. The company said it has added easy setup of preset imaging parameters and improved its 4D imaging quality across its whole ultrasound family.
The vendor will also introduce three new transducers, including two intraoperative transducers and one high-frequency curved-array transducer.
By Erik L. Ridley
AuntMinnie.com staff writer
October 26, 2010
Related Reading
Toshiba taps Cooper to lead CT business, October 4, 2010
Toshiba nets Fla. ultrasound install, September 20, 2010
Toshiba reaches Vantage MR milestone, August 30, 2010
AHRA, Toshiba sponsor patient safety program, August 23, 2010
Toshiba to show new AIDR feature, August 20, 2010
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