May 9 2014
Zecotek Photonics Inc., a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for medical, industrial and scientific markets, today announced it has enhanced the LFS scintillation crystal array manufacturing and assembling process resulting in a more flexible production output at a significantly improved price point.
The enhanced process allows for manufacturing of LFS crystal arrays with various sizes and configurations at a competitive price when compared to single element prices. Zecotek has filed a patent application on its highly innovative method of manufacturing crystal block arrays with the United States Patent Office.
"We have made a significant break-through with respect to the production of our LFS crystal arrays used in positron emission tomography and gamma scanning devices," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "Our scientific team is continually searching for better, more efficient ways to manufacture and produce our imaging technologies to meet the requirements of the OEM's which are presently going through a reconfiguration of their machines. By modifying the method of manufacturing and assembling our LFS crystal arrays, we can now produce crystal arrays of variable sizes and configurations even for low volume quantity with precise control on the Pitch dimension between individual elements."
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.
Other medical applications for LFS crystals include micro-PET detectors, widely used in drug research, and in gamma cameras used for breast and prostate examinations. Non-medical applications include gamma ray detector systems for homeland security, geological surveying, materials analysis, high energy physics and nuclear stockpile monitoring.
Zecotek's 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 also announces the granting of 1,850,000 stock options to directors, employees and consultants for their contributions to the Company. The exercise price is set at $0.70 and will expire in five years. 1,820,000 stock options expired on April 28th, 2014. The stock options are subject to regulatory approval.
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, Laser 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 such as Hamamatsu Photonics (Japan), 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). For more information visit www.zecotek.com, follow @zecotek on Twitter and "like" us in Facebook at www.facebook.com/zecotek.