1st Detect Awarded U.S. Patent for Novel Mass Spectrometer Gain Control Technology
May 14 2015 - 11:08AM
Business Wire
1st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation
(Nasdaq:ASTC), announced today that the United States Patent and
Trademark Office (“USPTO”) has allowed the issuance of a key patent
for increasing the performance of the company’s unique ion trap
mass spectrometer used for chemical analysis and detection.
“We are pleased that the USPTO has allowed this patent as it
enables 1st Detect to significantly expand the number of
applications and customers that we can address with our ion trap
technology," said Bob C. Kibler, CEO of 1st Detect. “Applications
for this patent will enable 1st Detect to target markets
traditionally not addressable by miniature mass spectrometers
including airports and the military, as well as pharmaceutical and
beverage quality control.”
U.S. Patent No. 8,969,794, entitled, ‘Mass Dependent Automatic
Gain Control for Mass Spectrometer' represents a key technological
advantage for 1st Detect to miniaturize mass spectrometers yet
retain the flexibility and ability to analyze a wide variety of
compounds that traditionally require large complex laboratory
instruments. “The technology protected by this patent demonstrates
our ability to develop novel methods to respond to our customers’
requirements without adding complexity or cost,” added Dr. James
Wylde, the inventor of the novel technology and VP of Business
Development for 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. 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 Corporation is an Austin, TX based technology company
that has evolved from over 30 years in the human spaceflight, Space
Shuttle, and Department of Defense satellite programs. The company
has become a leader in the commercialization of government
sponsored advanced space technologies. In 2014, the company
completed the sale of one of its businesses, Astrotech Space
Operations, to Lockheed Martin for $61 million.
1st Detect Corporation was created to develop a mass
spectrometer that was designed for use on the International Space
Station. 1st Detect is a game-changing technology in the chemical
detection and analysis market because it delivers laboratory
performance of traditional mass spectrometry, but in a small,
affordable and portable package. 1st Detect's technology is useful
in the semiconductor, food and beverage processing, petrochemical,
laboratory, process control, explosive detection, and chemical
warfare markets.
Astrogenetix Corporation was formed as a result of over $4
billion spent by NASA over a 25 year period on experiments
conducted in sustained microgravity, where results were only
achieved while orbiting in space. Astrotech designed and flew 1,113
of these experiments in its Spacehab modules, and after an
extensive review, discovered that microgravity greatly enhanced the
discovery of valuable vaccines and therapeutics. The company has
completed 12 successful biomarker discovery missions to the
International Space Station and has identified a salmonella vaccine
candidate, while ten additional discoveries are in the pipeline.
NASA has awarded Astrogenetix 26 free flights to the $130 billion
ISS National Laboratory, along with full crew support.
Astral Images, Inc. was launched to commercialize identified
government funded satellite image correction technologies. Along
with the acquisition of certain established defect correction
technologies, first funded by IBM and Kodak, Astral is positioned
to be the world leader in the technology required to convert and
repair feature films and film based television series to the new
digital Ultra-High Definition 4K standards.
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, our ability to successfully develop our remaining
Spacetech business unit, our ability to develop and integrate our
miniaturized mass spectrometer, the MMS-1000™, product performance,
market acceptance of products and services, and our ability to
identify, execute and integrate potential acquisitions, as well as
other risk factors and business considerations. Any forward-looking
statements in this document should be evaluated in light of these
important risk factors. Astrotech assumes no obligation to update
these forward-looking statements.
Astrotech CorporationJoshua Elbaum, +1-512-485-9530VP,
Marketing
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