JANUARY 26--PerkinElmer Inc. (Wellesley, MA; www.perkinelmer.com) has announced the signing of a long-term, exclusive agreement with General Electric Corporation (GE) to supply PerkinElmer's amorphous silicon digital flat-panel x-ray detector technology to GE Medical Systems (GEMS) and GE Aircraft Engines (GEAE). This agreement marks a milestone in PerkinElmer's six-year relationship with GEMS as the exclusive supplier of digital x-ray detectors for advanced medical imaging and industrial applications. Under the agreement, PerkinElmer Optoelectronics will be sole provider of this technology to GEMS and GEAE for the next five years, a deal estimated to include more than $250 million of purchases by GE.
PerkinElmer's amorphous silicon x-ray detectors provide detailed radiographic and fluoroscopic images of the human anatomy in digital form, offering physicians the highest sensitivity of detection and resolution during medical procedures. X-ray signals are converted into digital images, providing exceptional image clarity with a large field of view for clinical applications that require exact precision, such as radiography, cardiology, and angiography procedures.
As hospitals and clinics continue to switch from film-based to digital x-ray, demand for GE's systems utilizing amorphous silicon detectors will continue to grow. This technology also is a key driver in opening up market opportunities in nondestructive testing and has potential application in areas such as homeland security and biometric identification.
"Digital x-ray technology increases the ability to not only capture, store, and retrieve images, but improve the diagnosis and treatment process for patients worldwide," said Joe Hogan, president and CEO of GEMS. "We look forward to building upon our strong relationship with PerkinElmer as digital x-ray becomes the standard in health care."
PerkinElmer Optoelectronics became a supplier of digital medical x-ray detectors to GEMS in 1997 and has delivered more than 1500 detectors to GEMS. As hospitals continue to expand their digital capabilities, GEMS has expanded its biomedical and digital imaging technology portfolio to meet this growing demand.
General Electric Company, headquartered in Fairfield, CT, is a diversified technology and services company.
