BCAM International, Inc. Announces the Grant of its Ninth Patent for its Microvalve Invention
Microvalve Will Be Key Component in New ISTX Technology
MELVILLE, N.Y., Nov. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- BCAM International, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BCAM - news), Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Michael Strauss announced the company has been awarded US Patent #5,810,325 for its invention entitled ''Microvalve''. The new BCAM microvalve requires very little power to control large air pressures, making it especially suitable for medical products. Said Mr. Strauss, ''BCAM is extremely excited at the grant of our newest patent. This is the company's first patent in the fast growing, high-tech field of Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). A microvalve will be the key component in our new ISTX technology, which will permit smaller, lighter, less power consuming, and much more cost effective Intelligent Surface Technology (IST) systems. By creating this new technology, the costs of our patented IST system are going to be reduced to levels that will enable a wide penetration into the profitable markets of automobile seating, airline seating, home recliners and bedding, athletic footwear, and medical products such as wheelchairs, hospital beds and medical footwear.''
Since mid-1995, BCAM has been exploring a promising new technology called MEMS, which stands for Micro Electro Mechanical Systems, which are tiny devices that look very similar to computer chips, except that in addition to electrical functions, MEMS devices also having moving mechanical parts. BCAM's newest patent is based on an invention, which utilizes a MEMS fabrication process to create a very tiny valve, or microvalve. One of the unique characteristics of BCAM's microvalve is that it requires extremely small amounts of power and can control very high pressures, making it suitable for a range of products, including medical implementations of the company's Intelligent Surface Technology.
In general, MEMS is one of today's fastest growing technologies; the MEMS market has grown from $700 million in 1990 to over $6 billion today and is forecasted to hit $12 billion dollars by the year 2000. The most common use of MEMS today is as sensors, primarily in automobile airbags to trigger the airbag deployment during a crash. Advantages of a MEMS device over traditional larger mechanical devices are size, weight, power consumption, durability, and cost in large volume production.
Intelligent Surface Technology (IST) is a concept invented and patented by BCAM International, Inc. to empower products that come into contact with human users the ability to sense and respond to individuals in order to maximize comfort, fit, and performance and minimize fatigue and stress. Through a license arrangement with the Textron Automotive division, McCord Winn, IST is currently available in the 1998 Cadillac Seville STS and is expected to expand into the Seville SLS models in 1999.
BCAM International, Inc. is a technology pioneer in the field of Intelligent Surface Technology.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This announcement contains ''forward-looking statements''. The words ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''estimate'', ''expect'' and other similar expressions as they relate to the Company and its management are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Although the Company and its management believe that the statements contained in this announcement are reasonable, it can give no assurances that such statements will prove correct. Factors that could affect the occurrence of events or results discussed herein are include those mentioned in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission including recently filed Forms SB-2, SB-2A, S-8, 8-K/A and the quarterly and annual reports on Forms 10-QSB and 10-KSB, respectively.
SOURCE: BCAM International, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
