Ultrasound Blood Flow Visualization Technology From Toshiba Cleared by FDA

Toshiba America Medical Systems has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance to use the proprietary Superb-Micro Vascular Imaging technology on its Apilo 500 ultrasound system.

The technology lets clinicians use ultrasound to see tiny vessels in and around areas like tumors and lymph nodes, giving them a new tool to diagnose disease quickly and noninvasively, the Tustin, Calif.-based company said.

Doctors who want to see low-velocity microvascular blood flow currently must use contrast agents or more invasive measures. The SMI technology will make imaging exams faster and safer, while still providing the needed diagnostic information, Toshiba said.

“With the development of SMI, clinicians can provide the right diagnosis on all patients earlier for improved care. Additionally, SMI expands the utility of ultrasound, which results in fewer ionizing procedures, improving patient safety,” said Tomohiro Hasegawa, director of Toshiba’s Ultrasound Business Unit.

Toshiba America Medical Systems (TAMS) markets, sells, distributes and services radiology and cardiovascular systems, including computed tomography (CT), MR, ultrasound, X-ray and cardiovascular equipment, and coordinates clinical diagnostic imaging research for all modalities in the United States. It is a subsidiary of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, a worldwide provider of medical diagnostic imaging systems and comprehensive medical solutions, such as CT, X-ray and vascular, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and magnetic resonance imaging systems, as well as information systems for medical institutions. Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba, a Fortune 500 company with worldwide annual sales of more than 6.5 trillion yen ($63 billion).