Positron granted U.S. patents for quantum photodetectors

Dec 24 2010

Positron Corporation (OTCBB:POSC), a leading molecular imaging company specializing in the field of nuclear cardiology, today announced it has received two U.S. patents for its proprietary quantum photodetectors.

“We made a conscious decision several years ago to place a particular focus on technologies that may impact the future of the industry. We believe that our proprietary quantum detector is one of these technologies that will position Positron for future technological advancements”

The quantum detector is capable of counting single photons - the basic quantum units of light. A replacement to photomultiplier tubes, the quantum detector has potential industry-wide applications in medical imaging, especially in Positron emission tomography (PET), as well as possible broader implications in other key sectors such as homeland security and nuclear physics.

"We made a conscious decision several years ago to place a particular focus on technologies that may impact the future of the industry. We believe that our proprietary quantum detector is one of these technologies that will position Positron for future technological advancements," said CEO Patrick G. Rooney.

The first patent describes a quantum photodetector (USP 7,800,070), a readout system to process the signal and imaging apparatus that can be built with these detectors. The second patent covers a quantum detector array with binary quantum sensor elements (USP 7,825,384). The binary nature of the quantum sensor elements makes the detector intrinsically digital and simplifies data processing which can be integrated on the same semiconductor substrate. The technology provides a completely digital sensors-readout system-on-chip with unique characteristics of sensitivity and offers a new perspective in the development of next-generation medical imaging and radiation detection systems. The compact, low-cost photodetectors may significantly reduce the cost of future PET scanners while improving spatial resolution and portability. The detector is not sensitive to magnetic fields and can be used for development of new types of imaging devices, such as PET/MR scanners.