Although magnetic resonance tomography supplies pinpoint-sharp images of organs, bones and connective tissue, it provides no information on the metabolic activity in individual regions. However, this is exactly what is detected by positron-emission tomography, although it does not disclose the exact locations of the active cells. So which one does a doctor choose?
PerkinElmer, Inc. announced recently that it has entered into an agreement with Max Planck Innovation, the technology transfer organization of the Max Planck Society, for the licensing of its solid-state silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) technology.
SiPM offers high photon-detection efficiencies, short response time and low power consumption, making it applicable to a variety of low-light-level applications. The technology was initially developed by a group led by Professor Boris Dolgoshein from the Moscow State Engineering Physics Institute (MEPhI) and further advanced through the cooperation of MEPhI and Professor Masahiro Teshima and Dr. Razmik Mirzoyan from the Max Planck Institute for Physics in Munich.
’This innovative SiPM technology from the Max Planck Society shows promise for several important human and environmental health applications,’ said Michael Ersoni, vice president and general manager of PerkinElmer’s global detection business. ’This licensing agreement complements and enhances PerkinElmer’s industry-leading portfolio of photon detection solutions. With access to Max Planck’s SiPM technology, PerkinElmer is further positioned to serve applications including positron emission tomography (PET) diagnostic scanning and a variety of analytical fluorescence applications.’
PerkinElmer’s photon-detection solutions include Si and InGaAs avalanche photodiodes and PIN photodiodes for high-performance applications, as well as channel photomultipliers for molecular detection in analytical applications and clinical diagnostics.
’As a world leader in photon detection, PerkinElmer is an ideal industrial partner for licensing our SiPM technology. PerkinElmer has the experience and the global reach needed for introducing the SiPM technology to a variety of fast-moving markets to help advance both human and environmental health,’ said Dr Bernd Ctortecka, patent and license manager, Max Planck Innovation GmbH.