1st Detect Awarded U.S. Patent for Novel Pre-Concentration Technology
March 27 2015 - 9:30AM
Business Wire
1st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation
(Nasdaq:ASTC), announced today that the United States Patent Office
(“USPTO”) has issued the company a key patent for improving the
sensitivity and identification capability of the company’s unique
ion trap, used for chemical analysis and detection.
“We are extremely pleased that the USPTO has allowed this
patent. It further strengthens our intellectual property portfolio
allowing us to detect and identify trace amounts of chemicals in
harsh environments, while retaining the size and weight of a small,
transportable instrument,” said Bob Kibler, CEO of 1st Detect. “The
patent clearly validates our ability to provide breakthrough
technological solutions that help keep our soldiers safe from known
and unknown chemical threats.”
U.S. Patent No. 8,784,737, entitled, ‘Introducing an Analyte
into a Chemical Analyzer,' represents a key technological advantage
for 1st Detect to improve the sensitivity for portable small mass
spectrometers without increasing our 30 second analysis time, a key
advantage over the competitor’s GC-MS solutions.
“The technology protected by this patent demonstrates our
ability to offer small, affordable mass spectrometers that produce
high quality, stable output while identifying a wider range of
chemicals, including threats and toxic chemicals, more quickly and
with better sensitivity than competing solutions,” added David
Rafferty, the inventor of the novel technology and President and
CTO of 1st Detect.
1st Detect Corporation has developed an instrument that
revolutionizes the chemical detection and analysis market by
delivering laboratory performance mass spectrometry in a small,
affordable and portable package. This versatile product has the
flexibility to be adapted to each environment, and factory models
are designed to communicate with standard Factory Management
Software for easy implementation. The 1st Detect mass spectrometer
utilizes core technology that is fast, highly sensitive and
accurate. The unit is capable of detecting a wide variety of
chemicals including residues and vapors from explosives, chemical
warfare agents, toxic chemicals, food and beverage contaminants,
and pollutants. These capabilities, combined in an economically
priced solution, make it an ideal tool for a variety of
applications in the research, security, industrial, process flow
and healthcare markets.
About 1st Detect Corporation
1st Detect Corporation was formed by Astrotech Corporation
(Nasdaq:ASTC) to develop and commercialize miniature mass
spectrometry technology first developed under an agreement with
NASA for use on the International Space Station. 1st Detect offers
a breakthrough miniaturized mass spectrometer that fills an unmet
need by being highly accurate, rapid, lightweight, and
cost-effective. For more information on 1st Detect Corporation,
please visit www.1stDetect.com.
About Astrotech Corporation
Astrotech is a leader in identifying and commercializing space
technology for terrestrial use. 1st Detect Corporation is
developing what we believe is a breakthrough miniaturized mass
spectrometer, the MMS-1000™, while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a
biotechnology company utilizing microgravity as a research platform
for drug discovery and development. Astral Images provides an
advanced film scanning and digital defect removal solution. All are
wholly owned subsidiaries of the parent.
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are
made pursuant to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements are subject to risks, trends, and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to be materially different from the
forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not
limited to, continued government support and funding for key space
programs, product performance and market acceptance of products and
services, as well as other risk factors and business considerations
described in the Company’s Securities and Exchange Commission
filings including the annual report on Form 10-K. Any
forward-looking statements in this document should be evaluated in
light of these important risk factors. The Company assumes no
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Astrotech CorporationJoshua Elbaum, +1-512-485-9530VP,
Marketing
Astrotech (NASDAQ:ASTC)
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