Zecotek Granted U.S. Patent for Depth of Interaction Technology for Advanced Positron Emission Tomography Detector Assemblies
Singapore, July 7, 2011 - Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, today announced that patent number 7,956,331 B2 has been granted by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a Depth of Interaction technology, developed to provide improvements in the precision and hence the performance of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and other medical detection systems. The patented technology was developed under a joint PET-MRI development alliance with the University of Washington.
“This patent is a direct result of Zecotek’s collaboration with the University of Washington one of the most prestigious medical imaging research teams in the world,” said Dr. Faouzi Zerrouk, Chairman, President and CEO of Zecotek Photonics. “The depth of interaction technology provides a fundamental new approach to the gathering and processing of data in medical imaging systems. We have filed additional patents on our new integrated detector module device which, by combining our patented scintillation crystals and solid-state MAPD photo detectors, provides the basic components required for a new generation of advanced PET-MRI scanning systems.”
The research team at the University of Washington is led by Professor Thomas Lewellen who is widely recognized as a leading researcher in the field. The joint PET-MRI development alliance utilizes Zecotek’s patented scintillation crystals and solid-state MAPD photo-detectors and expertise in optical components design, along with the University of Washington’s unique data acquisition methodologies and image reconstruction algorithms for new scanners.
The overall project is managed by Zecotek Photonics wholly owned subsidiary, Zecotek Imaging Systems (Singapore) Pte Ltd.
The exclusive rights to commercialization of this patent obtained under the license agreement with the University of Washington represent another important operational step toward Zecotek’s goal of developing and commercializing a proprietary PET/MRI system.
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About the University of Washington Center for Commercialization
University of Washington (UW) researchers in hundreds of labs are making extraordinary innovations. As one of America’s leading federally funded public research universities, UW is producing innovations that have the power to change the world—from biofuel alternatives, to more effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and brain cancer, to purification technology for drinking water in the developing world. The Center for Commercialization (C4C) is committed to getting these research outcomes into products, services, therapies, diagnostics, and cures to where they can impact millions of people. Since its founding, C4C has helped create many of the more than 250 start-up companies based on UW research.
About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance crystals, photo detectors, medical lasers, optical imaging and 3D display technologies for commercial applications in the medical diagnostics and high-tech industry. Founded in 2003, the company has three distinct operating divisions: medical imaging, medical lasers and 3D display and labs located in Canada, Singapore and Russia. Zecotek commercializes its novel, patented and patent-pending bio-photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances and joint ventures with multinational OEMs, distributors and other industry leaders. For more information, please visit www.zecotek.com.
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