Information contained in this news release is current as of the date of the press announcement, but may be subject to change without prior notice.
March 7, 2016
Tokyo, Japan, March 7, 2016 -- Hitachi Medical Corporation, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE:6501) and Redlen Technologies Inc., a Canadian technology company, today announced an agreement to jointly develop a direct conversion semiconductor x-ray detector module required for new photon counting computed tomography systems (PCCT), a promising next generation diagnostic medical imaging modality.
Hitachi has been focusing on the healthcare field as one of the Social Innovation Business, and has extensive expertise in healthcare total solutions which include medical diagnostic and clinical devices such as CT, MRI, particle beam therapy systems, and also informatics including medical service and platform. Redlen is a leading manufacturer of high resolution Cadmium Zinc Telluride (CZT) semiconductor radiation detectors which are used in the fields of medical imaging, security and nondestructive testing.
Under this agreement, Hitachi and Redlen will collaborate to develop a new multi-energy PCCT semiconductor detector module. PCCT systems offer the potential for a breakthrough advance in CT diagnostic imaging performance through new capabilities which include material discrimination, higher image resolution, the addition of functional imaging and further radiation dose reduction.
Current commercial CT systems have limited to no knowledge of individual photon energies. Redlen has successfully developed semiconductor radiation sensors which have the ability to measure the unique energy of individual x-ray photons while operating at the very high count rates and stability levels necessary for x-ray computed tomography. The additional information provided by these advanced radiation sensors is a key to realizing next generation PCCT advances.
Hitachi and Redlen will jointly develop the data acquisition technology required to process the order of magnitude higher amount of data received from these semiconductor radiation sensors and the packaging technology necessary for assembling the sensors into a detector module. Exclusive use of the co-developed modules will enable Hitachi to develop an advanced PCCT which fully utilizes the performance of this new sensor technology.
Mr. Glenn Bindley, President & CEO of Redlen commented on the agreement, "We are excited to partner with Hitachi, one of the original pioneers of medical CT technology, to pursue the enormous potential for advancement in medical CT that photon counting semiconductor sensors offer."
"PCCT is a promising next generation device which achieves radiation exposure reduction, high functionality and high degree of precision. It is expected to broaden the field of application. I hope this agreement will provide opportunities for us to further contribute to healthcare innovation." commented Masaya Watanabe, Vice President and Executive Officer, President & CEO of Healthcare Group and Healthcare Company at Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi and Redlen will work closely to accelerate the joint development for the new detector modules. Hitachi will investigate a wide range of new diagnostic applications for PCCT based on the clinical evaluations planned both domestically and internationally.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.
Redlen Technologies Inc., headquartered in Saanichton, BC, Canada, is a leading manufacturer of high resolution Cadmium Zinc Telluride semiconductor radiation sensors and radiation detection modules which are enabling a new generation of high performance detection and imaging equipment including Nuclear Imaging, CT Scanning, Baggage Scanning and Dirty Bomb Detection. For more information on the company and its products, please visit its website www.redlen.com.
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