As one step in creating new fields of industry aimed at achieving true health, we established the Hamamatsu Medical Photonics Foundation / Hamamatsu Medical Imaging Center. In addition to PET scans, the Center is also initiating diagnostic procedures using state-of-the-art x-ray CT and MRI instruments. Moreover, in order to provide diagnostic opportunities to a greater number of people, Hamamatsu is promoting research in light-based screening technologies that can be used prior to PET screening, so that only those people in whom medical problems are suspected will go on to the PET stage.

PET is a scanning method that lets us measure activity taking place in the heart, brain, and other parts of the body in real time. PET plays a role in the early diagnosis of cancer, dementia and other ailments; diagnoses can be made by injecting whatever chemical is necessary for the test and then observing to see how it is metabolized. Additionally, PET provides an effective way of understanding brain function, and it is thought that this research will contribute to advances in science and to the further development of industry.

Reflectance Diffuse Optical Tomography, or DOT, makes it possible to carry out measurements using near infrared light, which has minimal effects on the human body, without having to secure the patient in place. One way of using DOT that is viewed as a prime application is the observation of brain activity in its natural state. DOT is also effective in testing for breast cancer, and we can look forward to using it as an alternative to X-ray mammography.

The percentage of elderly people making up Japan's population is rapidly increasing. To help ensure that our later years bring physical, mental and spiritual satisfaction, in what we call "successful aging", Hamamatsu Photonics is engaging in multi-faceted research into states of health. One facet of this research is the development of programs aimed at maintaining and increasing health. Another is the development of technology that helps athletes conquer the challenges that they take on in sports, as well as providing services for measuring various parameters. These are just a few of the ways in which we are committed to finding means for realizing true health.

Developing new pharmaceuticals takes enormous amounts of money and many years. This is because not only the efficacy of the medication, but side effects and safety aspects as well have to be cautiously evaluated. Hamamatsu Photonics is providing active support in pharmaceutical manufacturing by promoting the use of PET systems as a pharmaceutical development tool.

On our global Web site, under the heading "What Can We Do With Light?" (under "Special Contents"), we explain our thoughts concerning how we want to go about creating new fields of industry based on opto-technology. We hope you'll take a look at that along with the information provided here.