Zarlink Ultra Low-Power Wireless Technology Selected by Given
Imaging for World's Only Swallowable Camera Capsule
- Given Imaging's M2A(R) capsule accepted world-wide as only non-invasive
wireless endoscope - Transmitter chip combines Zarlink's ultra-low power and
wireless technologies
OTTAWA, CANADA, May 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Zarlink Semiconductor
(NYSE/TSX:ZL) today announced that Given Imaging Ltd. , maker of the world's
only swallowable camera capsule for diagnosis of disease of the
gastrointestinal tract, is now using an ultra low-power transmitter chip from
Zarlink in its M2A capsule endoscope.
The defining characteristic of Zarlink's custom RF (radio frequency)
transmitter - its miniscule power consumption - assures the operating life and
image capabilities of the camera capsule as it passes through a patient's
esophagus, stomach and small intestine.
The M2A capsule - consisting of a microchip camera, light-emitting diodes that
act as a flash, Zarlink's RF transmitter chip, antenna and two silver- oxide
batteries - is swallowed by the patient and then passes naturally through the
digestive tract. The camera's images are relayed by the RF transmitter to a
data recorder in a belt worn by the patient, who is free to continue with
normal daily activities throughout the exam.
Data is then downloaded to a workstation equipped with proprietary image
processing software, and a video of the gastrointestinal tract is produced
revealing pathologies and diseases of the small intestine that were previously
undetected by traditional diagnostic tools. For more information about Given
Imaging, the Given(R) Diagnostic System and the M2A(R) Capsule Endoscope, visit
http://www.givenimaging.com/.
"Our roadmap of future products demands a long-term partner to provide
technologies that meet strict performance, spectral and medical regulatory
requirements," said Kevin Rubey, Chief Operations Officer, Given Imaging. "We
believe that Zarlink's ultra low-power RF transmitter can lead to improved
future performance of the Given Diagnostic System M2A Capsule, as capsule
endoscopy becomes a more common examination procedure." Published medical articles conclude that capsule endoscopy has a higher
diagnostic yield than traditional, invasive methods in diagnosing patients with
gastrointestinal disorders of the small intestine, including Crohn's Disease
and small bowel cancer. Given Imaging's capsule endoscopy technique has already
been used to diagnose thousands of patients in the USA, Canada, Europe, Asia
and Australia.
Ultra-low power and wireless technology - a powerful combination Zarlink regards its RF transmitter as a "breakout" product - the first in a
range of new devices combining the company's ultra-low power and wireless
technologies.
Zarlink is a leading supplier of highly reliable, ultra low-power ICs
(integrated circuits) that consume minimal battery power, extending the
operating life of healthcare devices such as hearing aids and pacemakers. The
Company also designs low-power RF chips for wireless devices, including cell
phones.
"We're combining our ultra low-power and wireless technologies to design new
chips for the healthcare and communications markets," said Steve Swift, Vice
President and General Manager, Ultra Low-Power Communications, Zarlink
Semiconductor. "To advance the capabilities of emerging medical practices, such
as the Given Imaging system, these ultra low-power devices satisfy challenging
low-power and high-performance specifications, and meet very strict
qualification and standards requirements. In the consumer marketplace, there is
a rising demand for ultra low-power RF technologies as completely connected,
battery-powered communications networks in the home and office become
commonplace." For more on Zarlink's Ultra Low-Power Communications expertise, visit
http://ulp.zarlink.com/.
About Zarlink Semiconductor For almost 30 years, Zarlink Semiconductor has delivered semiconductor
solutions that drive the capabilities of voice, enterprise, broadband and
wireless communications. The Company's success is built on its technology
strengths, including voice and data networks, consumer and ultra low-power
communications, and high-performance analog. For more information, visit
http://www.zarlink.com/.
Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties,
and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results,
performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, among others,
the risks discussed in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Investors are encouraged to consider the risks detailed in
those filings.
A high-resolution photograph is available at
http://news.zarlink.com/visual_center. Zarlink, ZL, and the Zarlink
Semiconductor logo are trademarks of Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. DATASOURCE: Zarlink Semiconductor CONTACT: Zarlink, Michael Salter, Media Relations, 613 270-7115, ; United States, Natalie Sauve, High Road Communications, 613 236-0909, ; Europe, Simon Krelle, Pinnacle Marketing Communications, 44 1908 2355 22,
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