Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc., an industry leader in magnetic
resonance (MR) technology, reached a significant achievement in
installing its 500th VantageTM
1.5T MR system at Jefferson Regional Medical Center (JRMC) in Pine
Bluff, Ark. JRMC will use the Vantage system for a variety of diagnostic
procedures including orthopedic, head and abdomen imaging.
JRMC’s Radiology Department was upgrading its
MR equipment as a way to continue to provide the highest level of
patient care. The Vantage’s bore size and high
homogeneity were key factors in selecting the Vantage.
“The Vantage’s high
image quality and patient-focused features were important qualities when
upgrading our equipment,” stated John
Stansbury, director of Medical Imaging at JRMC. “Toshiba’s
Vantage MR system was quieter than other systems on the market and noise
is a significant reason for patient discomfort when undergoing an MR.
Also, the image quality on the Vantage is fantastic and provides our
physicians with the best images for accurate diagnoses.”
Toshiba’s patented PianissimoTM
technology, which reduces acoustic noise by as much as 90 percent,
eliminates most patient nervousness and dissatisfaction associated with
MR exams. The system’s integrated coil
concept allows physicians to perform multiple exams without
repositioning the patient. This means a more comfortable exam experience
and results in enhanced workflow and technologist productivity. Also,
Toshiba’s SPEEDER parallel imaging allows for
increased acquisition speed and reduced examination times.
“Installing the 500th
Vantage MR system speaks volumes about the industry’s
response to the product and our commitment to image quality and patient
care,” said Bob Giegerich, director, MR
Business Unit, Toshiba. “The Vantage system
meets clinical demands and delivers high-resolution images across the
entire body with faster imaging times.”
Finally, JRMC was also interested in Toshiba’s
proprietary, contrast-free MRA techniques –
Fresh Blood Imaging (FBI), Contrast-free Improved Angiography (CIA),
Time-Spatial Labeling Inversion Pulse (Time-SLIP) and Time and Space
Angiography (TSA). These techniques are available on all Toshiba MR
systems. Contrast-free imaging is particularly important because
gadolinium, the most common contrast agent used for magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) exams, has been
directly linked to a sometimes fatal disease that occurs in patients
with renal insufficiency, called Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis (NSF) or
Nephrogenic Fibrosing Dermopathy (NFD).
Toshiba’s Vantage product was named Best in
KLAS in 2007 and 2006. It also holds the number one rating with MD
Buyline.
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,
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.
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