Jun 16 2014
1st Detect Corporation, a subsidiary of Astrotech Corporation, announced today that the United States Patent Office ("USPTO") has allowed the issuance of a key patent for controlling the company's unique ion trap used for chemical analysis and detection. "We are extremely pleased that the USPTO has allowed this patent.
This patent further strengthens our intellectual property portfolio as it allows 1st Detect to maintain the stable performance of large laboratory instruments, yet keep the size and weight of a small, transportable instrument." said Thomas B Pickens III, Chairman and CEO of 1st Detect. "The patent clearly validates our technology, while both demonstrating and protecting the progress we have made in the development of the 1st Detect mass spectrometer."
U.S. Patent No. 8,754,361, entitled, 'Systems and Methods for Adjusting a Mass Spectrometer Output,' represents a key technological advantage for 1st Detect to produce the stable output required of portable small mass spectrometers without increasing the cost or complexity of the instrument.
"The technology protected by this patent demonstrates our ability to offer small, affordable mass spectrometers that produce the highest quality, most stable output, a critical requirement for deploying mass spectrometry outside of the traditional laboratory setting." 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 lab performance mass spectrometry in a small, affordable and easily portable package. The 1st Detect mass spectrometer 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 abilities 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 spectrometer 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 one of the first space commerce companies and remains a strong entrepreneurial force in the aerospace industry. We are leaders in identifying, developing and marketing space technology for commercial use. Our Astrotech Space Operations business unit serves our government and commercial satellite and spacecraft customers with pre-launch services on the eastern and western range. 1st Detect Corporation has developed a breakthrough miniature mass spectrometer, while Astrogenetix, Inc. is a biotechnology company utilizing microgravity as a research platform for drug discovery and development.
Source: http://www.1stdetect.com/