Toshiba Signs $7.5 Million Contract With Praxair
DANBURY, Conn., June 11, 1998 -- Praxair, Inc. (NYSE:PX), the world's largest helium supplier, announced today a $7.5 million contract to provide helium and nitrogen to Toshiba America Medical Systems, (TAMS) for use in its magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems.
Liquid helium, because of its low boiling point, is used to cool down MRI magnets to approximately -452 degrees Fahrenheit, where electrical resistance is virtually non-existent and the magnets become superconducting. The magnetic field created by the process provides medical professionals with detailed images of body tissue, often eliminating the need for exploratory surgery and biopsies. Liquid nitrogen is used to insulate the helium, helping it maintain the liquid state.
With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems is a subsidiary of Toshiba America Inc. which employs 8,000 people throughout the United States. TAMS markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems. Toshiba's imaging products include computerized tomography, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and both conventional and vascular X-ray systems. Toshiba America MRI Inc., in South San Francisco, has responsibility for research and development, engineering and manufacturing of diagnostic imaging equipment in the United States. Toshiba America Medical Systems is a Toshiba Corporation company. Toshiba is a $45 billion major provider of electronics and energy systems and products with over 240,000 employees worldwide.
Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 1997 sales of $4.7 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair is a recognized leader in the commercialization of new technologies that bring productivity and environmental benefits to a diverse group of industries.
Liquid helium, because of its low boiling point, is used to cool down MRI magnets to approximately -452 degrees Fahrenheit, where electrical resistance is virtually non-existent and the magnets become superconducting. The magnetic field created by the process provides medical professionals with detailed images of body tissue, often eliminating the need for exploratory surgery and biopsies. Liquid nitrogen is used to insulate the helium, helping it maintain the liquid state.
With headquarters in Tustin, Calif., Toshiba America Medical Systems is a subsidiary of Toshiba America Inc. which employs 8,000 people throughout the United States. TAMS markets, sells, distributes and services diagnostic imaging systems. Toshiba's imaging products include computerized tomography, MRI, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, and both conventional and vascular X-ray systems. Toshiba America MRI Inc., in South San Francisco, has responsibility for research and development, engineering and manufacturing of diagnostic imaging equipment in the United States. Toshiba America Medical Systems is a Toshiba Corporation company. Toshiba is a $45 billion major provider of electronics and energy systems and products with over 240,000 employees worldwide.
Praxair is the largest industrial gases company in North and South America, and one of the largest worldwide, with 1997 sales of $4.7 billion. The company produces, sells and distributes atmospheric, process and specialty gases, and high-performance surface coatings. Praxair is a recognized leader in the commercialization of new technologies that bring productivity and environmental benefits to a diverse group of industries.
