Toshiba starts shipments of Aspire CI

Toshiba America Medical Systems of Tustin, CA, has begun marketingits Aspire CI (continuous imaging) interventional package forthe top-of-the-line Xpress/SX CT scanner. The package, which wasintroduced as a work-in-progress at last year's Radiological Societyof North America meeting (SCAN 12/27/95), received 510(k) clearancelast month.

Aspire CI enables real-time display of CT images as they areacquired, according to John Zimmer, director of Toshiba's CT businessunit. This is useful in guiding biopsies and other interventionalprocedures, Zimmer said.

The Aspire CI package includes SureStart, a contrast mediamonitoring system; a real-time helical display; and CT fluoroscopy,which includes an in-room monitor and gantry controls. The packageis available either on new Xpress/SX scanners or as an upgradeto Xpress/SX systems in the field.

The package carries a list price of $350,000, which does notinclude the Xpress/SX scanner. There are four Aspire CI investigationalsites in the U.S.