Zecotek files imaging patent suit against Philips, Saint-Gobain
Zecotek Imaging Systems, a subsidiary of Zecotek Photonics, has started legal action in U.S. Federal District Court in Los Angeles against defendants Saint-Gobain and Philips Healthcare for infringement of Zecotek’s U.S. Patent Number 7,132,060, which covers the substances and chemical formulations used to grow lutetium fine silicate (LFS) scintillation crystals, typically used in imaging devices.
The lawsuit alleges that Saint-Gobain’s crystals infringe Zecotek’s patent, and that Philips infringes by using those crystals in the PET scanners it sells.
“We believe that this patent is fundamental, and that damages are very substantial,” said A.F. Zerrouk, MD, chairman, president and CEO of Zecotek Photonics. “Our management, engineers with its principal scientists...have invested significant resources in the development and commercialization of our LFS scintillation crystals, including our Ce:Ca:LSO/LYSO scintillators. ... We are determined to vigorously enforce our intellectual property rights to recover damages afflicted on Zecotek and the lost value to our shareholders.”
U.S. Patent No. 7,132,060 covering Zecotek’s LFS scintillation crystals was granted on Nov. 6, 2006.
Frankfurt, Germany-based Zecotek is joined by its exclusive licensee for certain LFS crystals, Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology, as co-plaintiff. Zecotek is being represented by Thomas Loop from the law firm of Graybeal Jackson and Justin Nelson from the law firm of Susman Godfrey.
The lawsuit alleges that Saint-Gobain’s crystals infringe Zecotek’s patent, and that Philips infringes by using those crystals in the PET scanners it sells.
“We believe that this patent is fundamental, and that damages are very substantial,” said A.F. Zerrouk, MD, chairman, president and CEO of Zecotek Photonics. “Our management, engineers with its principal scientists...have invested significant resources in the development and commercialization of our LFS scintillation crystals, including our Ce:Ca:LSO/LYSO scintillators. ... We are determined to vigorously enforce our intellectual property rights to recover damages afflicted on Zecotek and the lost value to our shareholders.”
U.S. Patent No. 7,132,060 covering Zecotek’s LFS scintillation crystals was granted on Nov. 6, 2006.
Frankfurt, Germany-based Zecotek is joined by its exclusive licensee for certain LFS crystals, Beijing Opto-Electronics Technology, as co-plaintiff. Zecotek is being represented by Thomas Loop from the law firm of Graybeal Jackson and Justin Nelson from the law firm of Susman Godfrey.