Zecotek Receives United States Patent Allowance for Improved Data-Processing Electronics for Positron Emission Tomography Scanners
Singapore, January 31, 2013 - Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, today announced that the United States Patent Office has issued a Notice of Allowance for improved data-processing electronics for positron emission tomography (PET) scanning devices. The patent allowance represents another important step as the Company focuses on strengthening its patent portfolio specific to PET technology and associated components. Zecotek remains the only company in the world to own all key elements for a high performance PET scanner in one organization.
“Patents surrounding the development of technology for a positron emission tomography scanning device are a primary focus for our organization,” said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. “Zecotek is in the enviable position of owning the three key elements to manufacture a PET scanning system: LFS scintillation crystals, solid-state MAPD photo detectors and a data acquisition board and readout system. We look to leverage our position to partner with OEMs in emerging economies to manufacture a new generation of high performance cost effective PET scanners.”
The patent allowance covers parts of the data acquisition board and readout system which are an important component of PET scanning devices. Specifically:
- An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for a PET system to transfer and process analog signals; and
- A method for reducing the number of data signals in a PET system.
Zecotek, as principal financier and development partner of a number of imaging components with the University of Washington, has the exclusive license rights for improved data-processing electronics for new generation PET scanning devices.
The data acquisition boards are setup to either digitize analog signals or accept direct digital serial input allowing them to work with any detector design. The list mode acquisition philosophy allows one master set of software to automatically adapt to just about any detector/scanner topology. In addition to this flexibility, if one wants to select different time segments from a study, it can be done after the fact – it does not have to be done as part of the acquisition setup. The flexibility of the system to adapt to different scanner designs means it can support just about any scanner simply by updating the card firmware and mounting on the boards only those components needed. This greatly reduces the engineering costs of starting up a new system.
Zecotek is working on a strategic partnership to fine tune and manufacture the recently announced Imaging Detector Module that combines the three key elements of a PET scanning device: LFS scintillation crystals, solid-state MAPD photo detectors and the data acquisition board and readout system. Zecotek has patents or patents pending on each of these key elements, as well as their integrated design. The Company is initiating the integration of a new generation PET scanner configuration for the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) markets.
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About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I) is a photonics technology company developing high-performance scintillation crystals, photo detectors, positron emission tomography scanner technologies, 3D auto-stereoscopic displays, fiber lasers and waveguide micro lasers for applications in medical, high-tech and industrial sectors. Founded in 2004, Zecotek operates three divisional companies: Zecotek Imaging (medical, industrial and research), Zecotek Lasers (industrial and research) and Zecotek 3D (monitors for multimedia, entertainment, industrial and medical). The Company has labs located in Canada, Singapore and Russia, with affiliated R&D and production facilities in USA, China, and South Korea. Zecotek commercializes its novel, patented and patent-pending photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances with multinational OEMs, distributors and other industry leaders. For more information, visit www.zecotek.com.
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Zecotek Photonics Inc. Michael Minder T: (604) 783-8291 [email protected] |
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