The new Toshiba Infinix VF-i with unique five axis manoeuvrability provides North Tyneside General Hospital with a wide range of applications enabling them to offer both cardiac and vascular imaging on the same system, giving much better flexibility and improving efficiency.

Dorothy Bell, Team Lead Fluoroscopy says, "The Trust wanted to provide a coronary angiography service at North Tyneside. The existing fluoroscopy room was coming to the end of its life span and the new equipment had to be able to undertake not only coronary angiograms, but also a wide range of fluoroscopy exams including ERCPs, arthrograms, hysterosalpingograms and infant digital hips. We selected the Toshiba equipment after viewing several different systems, as it was the best cardiac system that could undertake all the other examinations as well."

Toshiba’s Infinix-i series combines superb image quality and an unparalleled range of access for clinicians with comprehensive dose management features to ensure that imaging procedures are fast, safe and precise. The system’s innovative ergonomics and workflow features boost room utilisation, increasing patient throughput. Now with Toshiba’s exclusive five-axis C-arm, this unique feature facilitates head-to-toe and fingertip-to fingertip coverage, providing greater access to the patient during diagnostic and interventional procedures. The freely moving components, ergonomic design and five-axis positioner enable clinicians to obtain optimal angles for cardiac diagnosis and interventional procedures without repositioning the patient. The flexible design also improves workflow and collaboration between clinical staff during procedures, especially in hybrid settings.

In addition, the new system comes with low contrast imaging to facilitate visualisation of soft tissue and provide CT-like images, benefiting both clinicians and patients by allowing a more accurate diagnosis of a variety of diseases using a single system. This leads to increased patient comfort and safety, as the number of examinations is reduced, and also the possibility is reduced of movement to a CT scanner for further investigations.

Dorothy Bell concludes, "The turnkey installation went very smoothly and the outcome is a well-designed, professional-looking, easily cleaned room. We are very pleased with the standard of facilities, and Toshiba has provided excellent backup including unlimited applications support."

North Tyneside General Hospital is part of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, geographically one of the largest trusts in the country. It provides healthcare for over half a million people across North Tyneside and Northumberland.