Zecotek Granted U.S. Notice of Allowance for Enhanced LFS Crystal Array Manufacturing
SINGAPORE, Jan. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I; OTCPK: ZMSPF),), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for industrial, healthcare and scientific markets, is pleased to announce that the U.S. Patent office has issued a Notice of Allowance for an enhanced LFS crystal array manufacturing process which allows for more flexible production output at a significantly improved price point. The enhanced process produces LFS crystal arrays of various sizes and configurations at a competitive price when compared to other crystal arrays and single elements.
"This patent covers a break-through manufacturing process for a key component of positron emission tomography and gamma scanning devices," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "Our patented manufacturing process produces LFS crystal arrays of variable size, quantity and configuration at a significant cost advantage when compared to other crystal arrays and single elements. Furthermore, with precise control on the pitch dimension between individual elements, we are able to exactly match crystal and detector arrays which significantly improves performance of the array block. OEMs are continually searching for better, more efficient ways to manufacture and produce their imaging technologies and our scientific team keeps delivering leading-edge components. This will provide extra consideration choices for PET OEM's who are looking at using Zecotek's crystal in their new PET machines. The unique crystal array configuration will also give Zecotek the edge when assembled with its high performance MAPD/MAPT photo-detector, a superior SiPM."
The LFS crystal block array is also a key component in Zecotek's integrated detector module (IDM), a patent pending layered structure made of an LFS crystal block array, an array of MAPD or MAPT solid-state photo detectors, and a readout system. The IDM is a cost effective and scalable design, ideal for new positron emission tomography scanner configurations and various types of gamma cameras. Escalating capital and maintenance costs with current medical scanning devices are causing medical organizations in the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China, to redesign and build their own. The IDM component represents approximately 70% of the cost of a PET device, and combines key performance characteristics of Zecotek's LFS scintillation crystals and MAPD or MAPT solid-state photo detector and related technologies. It has the opportunity to revolutionize the design and ongoing maintenance of medical and scientific scanning devises
Zecotek's patented (US patent No. 7,132,060) LFS scintillation crystals are known for their high light yields and ultra-fast decay times which allow for faster and higher-resolution operation of medical imaging equipment including PET medical scanners, and industrial imaging devices used in high energy physics experiments. Zecotek's LFS crystals also cover a range of emission wavelengths which can match the spectral sensitivity of various photo detectors including Zecotek`s solid-state MAPD photo detector arrays.
LFS scintillation crystals are supplied by the Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology Company (BOET), a subsidiary of North-China Research Institute of Electronics-Optics an industry leader in growing, cutting, polishing and large scale production of scintillation crystals grown by the Czochralski method. Zecotek's manufacturing process permits the growth of very large-diameter boules with uniform properties and without cracking (a problem with many competing scintillation materials), resulting in high element output and lower unit costs.
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 scanning technologies, 3D auto-stereoscopic displays, and lasers for applications in medical, high-tech and industrial sectors. Founded in 2004, Zecotek operates three divisions: Imaging Systems, Optronics Systems and 3D Display Systems with labs located in Canada, Korea, Russia, Singapore and U.S.A. The management team is focused on building shareholder value by commercializing over 50 patented and patent pending novel photonic technologies directly and through strategic alliances and joint ventures with leading industry partners including Hamamatsu Photonics (Japan), the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Switzerland), Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. (China), NuCare Medical Systems (South Korea), the University of Washington (United States), and National NanoFab Center (South Korea). For more information visit www.zecotek.com, and follow @zecotek on Twitter.
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SOURCE Zecotek Photonics Inc.
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