United States Patent Office Affirms Hamamatsu Photonics' Pioneering Patent in Digital Pathology

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Mar 15, 2011, 12:00 ET

HAMAMATSU, Japan, March 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. (HPK) is pleased to announce that is has been awarded Reissue Patent No. 42,220 ("RE42,220"), confirming the patentability of its original Patent 6,847,729, a pioneering patent directed to slide scanning with remote viewing.

This patent is for the essential mechanism whereby a microscope slide is scanned and then digitized for remote viewing. The patent covers the basic operation of HPK's line of NanoZoomer® digital pathology instruments (including the NanoZoomer® 2.0HT, and the NanoZoomer® 2.0RS). The NanoZoomer® instruments have been widely accepted in the digital pathology market and the strong patent position of HPK should encourage software manufacturers to develop software that supports the NanoZoomer® platform.

Asked to comment on this seminal digital slide scanning patent, Mr. Hitoshi Iida, Managing Director of HPK, stated, "By reissuing this patent, we believe the USPTO has sustained the validity of this most central digital pathology patent. We now feel confident to move forward with enforcement of our patent rights."

The affirmation of the patentability of the patent claims demonstrates the innovation encompassed in scanning products HPK has developed. While HPK is willing to discuss the licensing of this patent on reasonable terms to others, it is studying the slide scanning products on the market with a view to demanding that all infringements of its RE42,220 patent cease.

All inquiries should be directed to David Leinwand, Esq., at Photonics Management Corporation, 360 Foothill Road, Box 6910, Bridgewater, NJ 08807-0910.

About Hamamatsu Photonics KK

Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. ("HPK") (Japan) is a leading manufacturer of devices for the generation and measurement of infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. HPK is dedicated to the advancement of photonics through extensive research. HPK is also dedicated to the advancement of Digital Pathology. Digital Pathology is an area expected to improve the accuracy and efficiency of cancer diagnosis and life science research. Applications of Digital Pathology include pathology education, telepathology, computer aided diagnosis, cancer research, drug development, and basic research. Whole slide imaging is a core technology supporting Digital Pathology by converting glass slides to digital slides. The patent aids fast and high resolution conversion and efficient viewing and navigation of slides from remote locations.

SOURCE Hamamatsu Corporation