Toshiba Unveils Ultrasound Product Enhancements

Toshiba America Medical Systems introduced several enhancements to its cardiac and shared ultrasound systems at this week’s American College of Cardiology (ACC) annual meeting in New Orleans. Three-dimensional wall motion tracking and tissue enhancement technologies are now available for the company’s Aplio Artida™ flagship cardiac system. Billed as an “industry first” on the Artida, the 3D solution offers an additional element in dyssynchrony imaging and advanced regional wall motion assessment. The software aids electrophysiologists in optimizing pacemaker placement and functions. It also shows 3D ejection fraction, volumes, and regional and global strain function. The software is said to improve image uniformity and endocardial border delineation, especially in difficult-to-scan patients.    Additionally, available on Toshiba’s Aplio™ MX, Aplio™ XG, and Xario™ XG shared service ultrasound systems is a new Auto IMT feature that calculates the intima-media thickness of the carotid artery, helping clinicians to determine a patient’s risk for cardiovascular disease. Auto IMT can determine the thickness of the near and far arterial walls from three segments of the carotid artery--at an optimal angle of incidence and two complementary planes. It uses the collected images, following the American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) consensus statement for diagnosis of cardiac risk in certain asymptomatic populations. Also unveiled at ACC was the company’s adult motor-driven TEE probe. The probe is promoted as improving the diagnosis of numerous cardiac conditions in difficult-to-scan patients.