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Shimadzu Medical Systems announces, the first Direct Conversion Catheterization Labs installed in the United States.

LUBBOCK, TEXAS --- September 30, 2005 ---

Shimadzu Medical Systems USA, a subsidiary of Shimadzu Corporation, one of the world's leading manufacturers of advanced imaging systems for the medical market and the UMC Health System of Lubbock TX, announced the opening of three catheterization labs in UMC’s new Heart Center. The three cardiac procedure rooms all feature Shimadzu’s SAFIRE Direct Conversion technology.

Similar to consumer digital cameras, SAFIRE flat imaging panels eliminate the need for film, reducing overall costs and giving doctors instant anatomical images without having to wait. Unlike the majority of competitive equipment, SAFIRE utilizes patented, state-of-the-art innovative design to record still (Radiographic) or moving (Fluoroscopic) type images as used in cardiac and vascular patient procedures.

Shimadzu’s ‘cutting edge’ SAFIRE technology allows physicians to visualize vessels with greater resolution, there by improving procedural efficiencies and reducing clinical time.. Additionally, the greatly increased vessel clarity allows Peripheral Vascular Disease to be easily identified and treated by the physician.
Frank Halovanic, manager of Direct Operations, located in Dallas, states: “patients equally benefit with our new technology, receiving more accurate treatment in shorter procedure time and a substantially reduced x-ray dose as compared to traditional equipment. The equipment is designed and optimized to allow physicians, nurses and technologists to focus on the patient and the procedure”.

“UMC is proud of the partnership with Shimadzu Medical Systems and we are excited about the addition of the SAFIRE equipment to the UMC Heart Center,” said James P. Courtney, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMC Health System.
“This equipment will assist UMC in providing leading edge technology, not available anywhere in the nation, with the commitment to patient-centered care UMC is known for,” Courtney added.

To date, Shimadzu Medical Systems has more then 40 cardiac Safire installations operating successfully worldwide.

UMC Health System is the leader in comprehensive healthcare delivery in West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. Founded in 1978, it is home to Texas’ first, and the regions only, level I trauma center, the Timothy J. Harnar Burn Center, the UMC Southwest Cancer Treatment and Research Center, the UMC Heart Center, and the UMC Children’s Hospital.

Shimadzu Corporation, founded in 1896 in Kyoto Japan and the parent of Shimadzu Medical Systems USA (SMS), is a global provider of medical diagnostic equipment including conventional, interventional and digital X-Ray systems as well as diagnostic Ultrasound. Shimadzu Medical Systems USA is headquartered in Torrance California with Sales and Service offices throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Canada with Direct Operations running out of Dallas Texas . Contact SMS at: www.shimadzumed.com or call 1.800.228.1429 for more information.

for Further information (in the US): Frank Serrao: Serrao@shimadzumed.com