Siemens is a leader in European patent applications

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26 July 2006 News

With 1548 patent applications at the European Patent Office, Siemens has demonstrated its leadership in filing European patent applications. During the most recently-completed fiscal year, Siemens AG said it spent 5,2 billion Euros on research and development.

"With 207 key patents registered, medical technology played a special role among our applications," says Professor Winfried Büttner, head of Siemens Intellectual Property.

Prime examples that these investments pay off include the 'Somatom Definition' dual-source CAT scanner that produces images of even fast-beating hearts with a previously unknown level of detail while emitting 50% less radiation, and the Quicklab, a credit card-sized mini-lab with which any doctor can reliably identify pathogens in only one hour.

The Somatom CAT scanner is said to be the first such system in the world to use two parallel-rotating X-ray emitters that speeds up the examination while reducing the radiation exposure for patients and raising the image quality and the number of images per second. The Quicklab uses an electronic bio-chip that automatically extracts and analyses the genetic information of viruses and bacteria from blood samples or other bodily fluids. It outputs the diagnostic information in the form of an electrical signal, making it simpler and faster than complex optical procedures.

"Once again, our innovative strength makes us No. 1 in registrations with the German Patent Office, No. 2 at the European Patent Office, and among the Top Ten in the US," says Büttner. "The company is highly selective when it comes to determining which inventions are worthy of a patent application. The focus is on patent quality."

For more information contact Siemens Southern Africa, +27 (0)11 652 2000.

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Siemens is a leader in European patent applications

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