Zecotek wins $500K order from Hamamatsu for PET scintillation crystals
Singapore--Photonic technologies company Zecotek Photonics received a $500,000 order for its patented Lutetium Fine Silicate (LFS) scintillation crystals from its strategic partner Hamamatsu Photonics (Tokyo, Japan). The initial batch of LFS scintillation crystals will be used in third-party positron emission tomography (PET) medical scanning devices.
"Hamamatsu has made an immediate contribution to our strategic alliance," said A.F. Zerrouk, chairman, president, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics. "This initial order underlines the significance of the strategic partnership and cooperation between Zecotek and Hamamatsu. We have always believed in the cost/performance superiority of Zecotek LFS crystals. It has, however, been a challenge penetrating the large-scale imaging markets. Hamamatsu's partnership removes barriers and opens imaging industry opportunities for Zecotek products. We look forward to growing the partnership as we move ahead to capture a substantial share of the imaging markets."
On July 16, 2013 Zecotek and Hamamatsu announced a strategic partnership to commercialize existing imaging technologies and to collaborate on the upgrade and manufacture of photodetectors, integrated detector modules, and associated electronics and data acquisition modules for the imaging markets at large. Hamamatsu says it is the world's leading supplier of optoelectronics components including photomultiplier tubes and photodiodes used in positron emission tomography (PET) medical scanners, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) projects, and other industrial and scientific applications.
Zecotek says its patented (US patent No. 7,132,060) LFS series of scintillation crystals are known for their high light yields and ultrafast decay times that allow for faster and higher-resolution operation of medical and industrial imaging devices including PET medical scanners. Zecotek’s line of LFS crystals also cover a wide range of emission wavelengths that can be tailored to match the spectral sensitivity of various photodetectors including solid-state MAPD photodetector arrays.
The LFS scintillation crystals will be 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.
Zecotek Photonics develops high-performance scintillation crystals, photodetectors, PET scanning technologies (Zecotek Photonics received a $500,000 order for its patented Lutetium Fine Silicate (LFS) scintillation crystals from its strategic partner Hamamatsu Photonics (Tokyo, Japan). The initial batch of LFS scintillation crystals will be used in third party positron emission tomography (PET) medical scanning devices, 3D autostereoscopic displays, and lasers for applications in medical and industrial sectors. Founded in 2004, Zecotek operates three divisions: Imaging Systems, Laser Systems, and 3D Display Systems with labs located in Canada, Korea, Russia, Singapore, and the U.S. 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 such as the European Organization for Nuclear Research (Switzerland), Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology Co. Ltd. (China), NuCare Medical Systems (South Korea), and National NanoFab Center (South Korea).
SOURCE: Zecotek; http://www.zecotek.com/EN/426/2500