VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 24, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V:ZMS) (Frankfurt:W1I) today announced that the Swiss-based Paul Scherrer Institute has successfully tested Zecotek's proprietary Micro-pixel Avalanche Photo Diodes (MAPDs) in trials for its next-generation Positron Emission Tomography (PET) medical imaging program.
Dr. Dieter Renker, Senior Researcher, Particles and Material of the Paul Scherrer Institute noted that preliminary test results of the Zecotek MAPDs, both alone and in conjunction with fast scintillation material, demonstrated the exceptional performance and stability characteristics of the new MAPD photo-detectors, which support their potential to deliver improvements in sensitivity, spatial resolution and image quality application in high-performance PET devices. Results of MAPD tests were reported at the 5th International Conference on New Developments in Photodetection, Palais des Congres, Aix-les-Bains, France, June 15-20, 2008.
"The Paul Scherrer Institute is highly respected for its work in advancing medical imaging and we are delighted with the first results from their test program using our MAPD photo detectors," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek. "The Paul Scherrer Institute has, as previously announced, also successfully tested our LFS scintillation crystal in the PET development program. Our MAPDs performed as required for the developers of the high resolution imaging scanners and detectors."
The Paul Scherrer Institute PET program is focused on advancing improvements in sensitivity, spatial resolution and image quality in PET scanners, based on the understanding that advances in PET are driven largely by progress in instrumentation, in particular the performance of scintillation materials, photo-detectors and read-out electronics. Higher resolution PET scanners will provide more detailed diagnoses, result in improved patient outcomes and broaden PET applications when combined with MRI for brain function analysis and diagnosis.
Zecotek's MAPD solid-state photo detectors have been designed in several configurations to offer significant performance and cost advantages over the current photo-multiplier vacuum tubes (PMT) and other existing solid state photo-detectors. The MAPD-1 is designed to replace APDs in great many applications; the MAPD-2 addresses specific, high demand requirements in high-energy physics such as particle accelerators where PMTs are vulnerable to the magnetic environment created by the superconducting magnets used in the collimation of particle tracks. The MAPD-3 meets required specifications for advanced, high resolution PET scanners and gamma camera applications, particularly when matched with Zecotek's patented LFS scintillation materials. Photo detectors, together with the scintillation material, typically constitute 50 to 65% of the manufacturing cost of a PET scanner.
As previously announced, the selection of Zecotek's MAPD photo detectors followed an extensive and competitive program of testing and evaluation. The MAPDs have been supplied through Zecotek Imaging Systems Pte Ltd, Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Zecotek Photonics Inc, and manufactured under contract by the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems (MIMOS).
Zecotek is completing its manufacturing and packaging requirements and is on schedule to commence the volume sale of the three types of MAPD as single elements and arrays, by the end of August 2008.
About Paul Scherrer Institute
The Paul Scherrer Institute is a multi-disciplinary research centre for natural sciences and technology based in Switzerland. In national and international collaboration with universities, other research institutes and industry, it is active in solid state physics, materials sciences, elementary particle physics, life sciences, nuclear and non-nuclear energy research, and energy-related ecology. The Institute develops and operates complex research installations which call for especially high standards of know-how, experience and professionalism, and is one of the world's leading user laboratories for the national and international scientific community. Through its research, the Institute acquires new basic knowledge and actively pursues its application in industry. For more information, please visit www.psi.ch/index_e.shtml.
About Zecotek
Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V:ZMS) (Frankfurt:W1I), is a photonics technology company developing high-performance crystals, photo detectors, lasers, optical imaging and 3D display technologies for commercial applications in the medical diagnostics and high-tech industries. Founded in 2003, the company operates three distinct divisions: imaging, lasers and 3D display, with labs located in Canada, USA, Singapore and Russia. Zecotek commercializes its novel, patented and patent-pending 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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