Samsung Develops Finer X-Ray Detector
By Kim Yoo-chul
Staff Reporter
Samsung Electronics, a leading manufacturer of liquid crystal displays (LCDs), said Thursday that it has successfully developed a finer digital flat panel X-ray detector (FPXD) with Vatech, a local manufacturer of medical devices.
Featuring an ultra-narrow bezel, a 17:17 wide-format screen and a high 3,072 X 3,072 resolution, the detector allows the monitor to provide vivid and precise images, along with a height-adjustable stand, as the device applies digital imaging with thin-film transistor (TFT) technology, according to Samsung officials.
The officials say the latest imaging sensor even could save up to 70 percent of time in medical labs as the detector converts invisible X-ray images into digital signals instantly, with no film or development process being needed.
``We expect the X-ray detector market to be completely digitalized in a few years as the analog film camera market is replaced by digital cameras within a decade,’’ said Yun Jin-hyuk, executive vice president of Samsung Electronics’ Mobile LCD Division.
``We have secured a stable `money pot’ by developing the product as it is expected to bring over a 50 percent profit per unit with advantages to be applied to security, construction and shipbuilding sectors as well as the medical sector,’’ he said, adding the FPXD creates an image enhancement function to eliminate most digital image noise interference.
Samsung will begin mass-producing the product during the first quarter of 2008.
According to industry estimates, the global FPXD market is expected to reach $7.2 billion in 2012, or 212,000 units, from $700 million, or 19,000 units in 2008.
Moreover, Samsung has been in talks with local manufacturers to introduce advanced detectors, offering real player functions in July next year.
The news comes a month after Samsung Electronics categorized bio-health business as part of its new growth engines, amid stalled growth in its core businesses _ chips, handsets and LCD TVs.
A month ago, PerkinElmer, an industry leader for providing biochemical and industrial applications, signed a multi-year $15 million agreement with Elekta, the world’s largest digital linear accelerator manufacturer, to supply amorphous silicon (a-Si) digital FPXD, which is used in the precise radiation treatment of cancer tumors, while sparing healthy tissue around them.