March 28, 2008, Vancouver BC, Canada--Zecotek Photonics has been granted full patent rights for its latest micro-channel avalanche photodiode solid-state photo detector (MAPD) by the Agency for Intellectual Property Protection in Russia. The technology is an alternative to existing photomultiplier tubes, which are key components of medical inspection devices used in blood analysis and DNA sequencing.
"Russia is acknowledged as the leader in the field of photo detection and the granting of Russian patent rights fully endorses the technological breakthroughs we have achieved," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek. "Of equal importance is the demonstration of the MAPD's commercial viability. We have successfully brought the device into production with the Malaysian Institute for Micro-electronics Systems and initiated sales with significant cost and performance advantages over competing devices."
Zecotek's proprietary and patented MAPDs have been designed in several configurations to offer significant cost and performance advantages over the current vacuum tube based photo multiplier tubes (PMT) and other solid-state photo diodes. Zecotek's 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 (positron emission tomography) 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.
Existing photo multiplier tubes are also key components of medical inspection devices used in blood analysis and DNA sequencing. Additional non-medical applications include: gamma ray detectors for homeland security, environmental monitoring, industrial control systems, robotics, biomedical testing, navigation and guidance systems, laser radars and high-energy physics.
Zecotek's MAPD solid-state photo detectors are supplied through its wholly owned subsidiary Zecotek Imaging Systems Pte. Ltd., Singapore, and manufactured under contract by the Malaysian Institute of Microelectronic Systems.
Zecotek currently has pending U.S. and Patent Cooperation Treaty counterpart applications for worldwide patent rights and anticipates approvals. Technical specifications of the MAPD can be found on the company's website, www.zecotek.com.