"As the number of age-related and chronic disease cases continues to increase over the next ten years, the use of diagnostic and interventional imaging studies will grow substantially," said Kevin Haydon, executive vice president and CEO of Philips Medical Systems Global Sales & Service International. "While we continue to demonstrate our technology leadership across the imaging modalities, we also recognize that the key to meeting this future demand will be removing the barriers in healthcare - connecting information from across imaging modalities, connecting radiologists to other parts of the hospital and connecting healthcare professionals to their patients wherever they are - in the hospital or at home."

iSite PACS 4.0 builds on a proven platform, adding advanced visualization technology that can utilize existing infrastructure to bring transparent access for any healthcare professional concerned with patient care to multiplanar reformation (MPR), maximum-intensity projection (MIP) and advanced 3D volume visualization. The solution employs an innovative and efficient transmission technology, distributing medical images and image reconstructions in under three seconds.

Its unique and flexible 'pay-per-study' business model fits customer needs, where customers pay on a monthly basis to view, distribute and archive medical images rather than buying a PACS system up front. This business model has proven to be very beneficial for the user. The model guarantees performance and uptime commitments, up to a level of 99.99%, providing full support for the system throughout the lifetime of the PACS contract.

Customers in EMEA will be fully supported by the new Techsupport center based in the Netherlands, which complements the existing tech support center in the US. Both centers are staffed by a team of experts who provide customers with support 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

iSite PACS 4.0 has already been installed at 14 sites, spread over 8 countries in EMEA, from Scandinavia to South Africa, with 17 more orders requested in EMEA so far.

Breakthrough PET/CT system delivers improved lesion detection and patient comfort Philips is presenting an innovative leap forward in positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography (CT) hybrid scanners with the new GEMINI TF 64-channel configuration. The system extracts the true benefits of time-of-flight imaging by enhancing small lesion detectability, shortening scan times, reducing patient dose and delivering exceptional image quality in oncology, cardiology, neurology and molecular imaging. GEMINI TF marks the world's first commercially available time-of-flight PET/CT system, in which gamma rays are more accurately tracked using extremely precise time measurements.

Raising effective image sensitivity by more than two times over conventional PET, the GEMINI TF shortens image acquisition time to less than 10 minutes for a whole-body PET scan, even for larger patients who previously needed much longer scan times. Consistent with all GEMINI PET/CT systems, GEMINI TF also features Philips' patented OpenView gantry design, allowing for increased patient comfort.

Philips Essenta DR digital radiography system
The Essenta DR is a multi-purpose digital radiography system that has been specifically designed for private practices and smaller hospitals. Using Philips' expertise this economic system includes many features previously not available to this market, including UNIQUE image processing, which harmonizes the image perception of Computed Radiography (CR) and Direct Radiography (DR) images.

Other advantages of Essenta DR include its small footprint, which enables the solution to fit into small X-ray rooms, as well as its advanced patient safety concept, which includes safety locks, collision protection and a light barrier. Due to the high quality detector the solution also enables low dose imaging.

Philips xLNA Enterprise 2.0: Advanced imaging that may capture lung nodules earlier The new Philips xLNA Enterprise 2.0 is the next generation of computer-aided detection (CAD) software that helps physicians visualize, identify, evaluate and report pulmonary lesions and nodules in digital radiographic chest images. With thousands of chest X-rays performed every day, this software has the potential to turn each X-ray into an effective warning system to detect lung nodules at an early stage. The system also allows radiologists to interactively add further comments and measurements to each marked potential lung nodule. These enhanced capabilities, specifically in the detection of small nodules between 5-15mm in diameter, have the potential to raise diagnostic confidence and improve quality of care.

Clinical studies suggest xLNA Enterprise 2.0 helps to reduce the variations in readings between clinicians and improve the detection rate of abnormal nodules needing attention, particularly those that are smaller in size. Using xLNA Enterprise 2.0 interactive features within the clinical routine can increase the detection rate of lung nodules to more than 80 percent, while the conventional detection rate without digital assistance varies between 35 and 65 percent.

Philips MX 4000/6000 Dual CT
The MX 4000/6000 Dual CT brings new levels of quality, simplicity and reliability to CT imaging, all at an affordable price for a hospital or clinic. While utilizing powerful multislice technology that offers improved performance and volume coverage over traditional single slice scanners, the scanner can provide a clearer diagnosis, fast exams and reliability, all of which are helpful in trauma and hard-to-image anatomy cases. The system's capabilities can provide high levels of patient comfort and enhanced clinical confidence because it can perform a fast scan, while delivering high-detail images at minimal radiation exposure levels.

The MX CT scanner was developed in response to a growing demand to provide hospitals and clinics worldwide with access to intuitive, enhanced medical technologies. With the MX 4000/6000 Dual CT scanner, clinicians are equipped with high-quality patient imaging data, resulting in enhanced patient diagnosis and treatment for the highest level of healthcare.

Philips CT Brilliance Everywhere
Shown for the first time in Europe at ECR 2007, Extended Brilliance Workspace (EBW) release 3.5 has now been improved with an optional Brilliance Everywhere solution that delivers full viewing and 3D volumetric imaging as well as cardiac, vascular, stroke, colon and lung applications to "any chair of your choice" such as an iSite PACS workstation, EBW CT workstation or even a connected PC at home.

Philips' breakthrough Brilliance Everywhere solution maximizes radiologist's time by allowing them to complete more studies without having to use more than one workstation to access required information.

Most compact 3.0T MR and SmartExam provide ease of use and comfort of 1.5T
The new Philips Achieva 3.0T X-series MR system features new X-series technology encompassing magnet, gradient and RF advancements which provide enhanced performance and a larger field of view. The Achieva 3.0T X-series allows clinicians to conduct routine to advanced imaging across all clinical applications on a system that is as comfortable, compact and easy to use as a 1.5T. Furthermore, the new Achieva 3.0T X-series will be available in a mobile configuration, the first and only one of its kind in the industry.

With features like 2K Imaging, 4D-TRAK, SENSE, FiberTrak, SENSE Spectroscopy, and DWIBS (diffusion-weighted whole body imaging with background body signal suppression), the Achieva 3.0T X-series provides the high speed and resolution clinicians need to quickly and accurately assess results. Philips Achieva 3.0T X-series also features SmartExam, allowing newer users to get expert results with one-click planning, scanning and processing.

Live 3D guidance improves catheter control
At ECR 2007, the company will showcase Philips Dynamic 3D Roadmap and Philips XperGuide - new solutions for the Philips Allura Xper family of angiography (angio) labs. These easy-to-use tools have been developed to address interventional radiologists' need for imaging solutions that provide both 3D and real-time anatomical insight in one view. Both technologies provide live 3D guidance for interventional radiologists and neuro-radiologists, increasing control and helping to speed navigation of catheters or needles through complex anatomical areas.

Specifically, Dynamic 3D Roadmap integrates live fluoroscopy with a 3D rotational angio roadmap, supporting catheter and guide wire navigation. Similarly, XperGuide links angiographic CT imaging (from Philips XperCT) and live fluoroscopy on a single display, allowing better visualization of the needle, the target and surrounding anatomy.

Intelligent ultrasound system with iU22 Vision 2007
Vision 2007 upgrades bring cutting-edge workflow assistance, expanded volumetric capabilities, new clinical application areas and additional quantification tools to the iU22 ultrasound system. The new iSlice multi-slice display provides a quick review of volumetric data obtained from freehand sweeps, mechanical sweeps and xMATRIX electronic volume acquisitions. The precision nature of iSlice allows clinicians to display images that could not be achieved manually and helps clinicians quickly find the best views for diagnoses.

Vision 2007 for the iU22 also includes a new suite of clinical capabilities for interventional procedures. This includes new Interventional TSI settings for the C5-2, S4-1, X3-1 and V6-2 transducers, which are optimized for needle visualization, faster and easier biopsy procedures and image-guided liver ablation. Other new visualization and QLAB quantification tools, encompassing contrast imaging, volumetric imaging and automated stacked contours, make the iU22 one of the first ultrasound system with a comprehensive solution for planning, guiding and assessing liver tumor ablations.

Philips Symposia at ECR 2007
Philips will also be hosting two symposia at ECR 2007:

• "Simplicity in MR and CT" - Sunday March 11th, 12:15 - 13:45, Room F1
• "Evolutions in hybrid imaging" - Monday March 12th, 12:15 - 13:45, Room F1

Many of the products in this press release will be featured on the Philips booth, located in Hall Expo A, booth number 102.

About Royal Philips Electronics
Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHI) is a global leader in healthcare, lifestyle and technology, delivering products, services and solutions through the brand promise of "sense and simplicity". Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 121,700 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 27 billion in 2006, the company is a market leader in medical diagnostic imaging and patient monitoring systems, energy efficient lighting solutions, personal care and home appliances, as well as consumer electronics. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.