University of California Orders LFS Scintillation Crystals for High Resolution PET/MR Module

SINGAPORE, July 12, 2016 /CNW/ - Zecotek Photonics Inc. (TSX-V: ZMS; Frankfurt: W1I.F, OTCPK: ZMSPF), a developer of leading-edge photonics technologies for industrial, healthcare and scientific markets, is pleased to announce that the University of California at Davis has order additional patented LFS scintillation crystals for a leading edge approach to positron emission tomography (PET) scanning which combines PET and magnetic resonance (MR) into a single PET/MR module.

"Once again we have turned to Zecotek Photonics to supply high quality LFS scintillation crystals for our new approaches to PET detectors," said Dr. Simon R. Cherry, Distinguished Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis. "This experiment combines positron emission tomography with magnetic resonance in a module to produce a more effective scanning device in specific situations. Zecotek's scintillation crystals have unique qualities including fast decay time that make them attractive for a range of high-performance PET detector designs."

"The University of California, Davis has ordered additional LFS-3 scintillation crystals for an upcoming experiment for high resolution PET detectors," said Dr. A.F. Zerrouk, Chairman, President, and CEO of Zecotek Photonics Inc. "We continue to maintain a close relationship with Cherry Labs and UC Davis, who have experienced firsthand the benefits of LFS crystals from both a cost and performance perspective. Our fast decay times and high light yield combined with competitive pricing make them the ideal choice for PET development and manufacturing both at a research and industrial level. Cherry Labs continues to be a leader in the nuclear medicine research field and we are proud to support them in their endeavors."

As previously announced in September 2015, the University of California, Davis successfully tested the patented LFS scintillation crystals in a new leading edge coating-based, depth-encoding approach for PET detectors. This order of additional LFS crystals is for PET/MR modules.

While it is not expect that combined PET/MR will replace PET/CT for clinical diagnostics, it is likely to overtake PET/CT in small-animal and clinical research. PET/MR presents advantages because MR does not require additional ionizing radiation like CT does, and it provides much better soft-tissue contrast. MR's low sensitivity is combined with PET's high sensitivity, and MR makes up for PET's lack of anatomic landmarks for metabolic information.

Another advantage of combined PET/MR is the acquiring of multiple functional and physiologic parameters at the same time, such as temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate. This can be especially important when imaging certain parts of the body, such as the abdominal area, where differences in patient movement and position makes fusing sequential images problematic.

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, 3D metal printing, 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, 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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