SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
For the month of August 2009 No. 1
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR
LTD.
(Translation of
registrants name into English)
Ramat Gavriel Industrial Park
P.O. Box 619, Migdal Haemek, Israel 23105
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
On August 03, 2009, the registrant announces that Medigus and Tower Semiconductor Announce Worlds Smallest Medical Video Camera Based on Advanced CMOS Image Sensor.
This Form 6-K is being incorporated by reference into all effective registration statements filed by us under the Securities Act of 1933.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: August 03, 2009 |
TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD. By: /s/ Nati Somekh Gilboa Nati Somekh Gilboa Corporate Secretary |
Medigus
and Tower Semiconductor Announce Worlds Smallest Medical Video
Camera Based on
Advanced CMOS Image Sensor
Targets
fast growing single use endoscopic procedures market, estimated at 0.5 Billion dollars in
2010, with a CAGR of nearly 15%
Cameras
smaller size lowers cost of endoscopic procedures; enables new medical diagnostic and
therapeutic applications
OMER and MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel, August 3, 2009 Medigus Ltd. (TASE: MDGS) a leading developer of endoscopic and visualization medical devices, and Tower Semiconductor, Ltd. (Nasdaq: TSEM, TASE: TASE: TSEM), a leading global specialty foundry, today announced successful sampling of a new CMOS imager that will serve in Medigus line of disposable miniature cameras and its new medical devices camera; the smallest of its kind in the world, designated to be incorporated into disposable endoscopes or used in various diagnostic and surgical medical applications. First product samples have been shipped to end customers and mass production of the camera is expected to commence in mid-2010. The camera sensor will be manufactured in Towers Fab2 using its 0.18-micron CMOS image sensor process and will be integrated into the camera which will be produced in Medigus manufacturing facilities.
The CMOS imager offers a high performance product at a low cost and combines superb sensitivity, resolution and dynamic versatility, allowing customers a variety of potential medical applications in growing markets such as Gastroenterology, Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopy Surgery, Bronchoscopy, Orthopedics and ENT. The new camera encompasses tiny electronics and objective lenses developed by Medigus, along with Towers CMOS imager measuring only 700 x 700 microns.
The imager was developed using Towers advanced sensor design and production technologies, while the camera was developed using Medigus electronic, optic and integration platform technologies. The camera features dedicated bio-compatible components suitable for medical device applications and will enable new medical diagnostic and therapeutic markets in which the use of current video cameras is not feasible due to their size. The miniature cameras outer diameter size, which includes a special housing, is only 1.2 mm x 5 mm long. In addition, it is completely disposable, eliminating the very costly sterilization process commonly associated with endoscopic procedures.
We are proud to advance our visualization capabilities with Tower, the leading specialty semiconductor manufacturer and foremost CMOS image sensor provider, said Dr. Elazar Sonnenschein, CEO for Medigus Ltd. The new camera and its unique imager represent a dramatic breakthrough in the endoscopic medical field; it opens a wide hatch to new markets, medical applications and customers, and at the smallest size ever accessible, it will allow procedures not previously achievable. Medigus innovative cameras will support an important unmet market need, giving both physicians and patients the most cost-effective level of technology, without compromising the quality of treatment which they deserve.
We are very excited to work with a leader in the miniature diagnostic and surgery tools fields to jointly develop a breakthrough camera solution for the medical market, said Dr. Avi Strum, Vice President & General Manager, Specialty Business Unit at Tower. Our cutting-edge sensor and customized design technology combined with Medigus expertise in the miniaturization of diagnostic and surgical tools is key to enabling the industrys lowest cost high performance camera. Our extraordinary sensor design capabilities, along with best in class pixel performance, have allowed us to get into this very high margin market which will be sustainable for many years.
About Medigus Ltd.
Medigus is a medical device company
specializes in developing innovative endoscopic procedures and devices. Medigus is a
pioneer developer of a unique proprietary endoscopic device for the treatment of GERD, one
of the most common chronic diseases in the western world. Medigus has an advanced
technology platform that includes the necessary elements for developing a wide range of
endoscopic procedures. The platform includes various CCD and CMOS video cameras developed
by Medigus. Each camera includes a micro camera head with high quality optics and video
processors. For more information, please visit www.medigus.com
About Tower
Semiconductor, Ltd.
Tower Semiconductor Ltd. (NASDAQ:
TSEM, TASE: TSEM), a global specialty foundry leader, manufactures integrated circuits
with geometries ranging from 1.0 to 0.13-micron and provides complementary technical
services and design support. Tower, along with its fully owned U.S. subsidiary, Jazz
Semiconductor, Inc., offers a broad range of process technologies including Digital,
Mixed-Signal and RFCMOS, HV CMOS, Power Management, Non-Volatile Memory (NVM), Embedded
NVM, MEMS, and CMOS Image Sensors. Tower provides world-class customer service and
maintains two fabrication facilities in Israel and a fab in Newport Beach, CA, with
manufacturing capacity available in China through partnerships with ASMC and HHNEC. For
more information, please visit www.towersemi.com and www.jazzsemi.com.
Safe Harbor Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes
forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may vary from those projected or implied by such forward-looking statements.
A complete discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the accuracy of
forward-looking statements included in this press release or which may otherwise affect
Towers and Jazzs business is included under the heading Risk
Factors in Towers most recent filings on Forms 20-F, F-3, F-4 and 6-K, as were
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC) and the Israel
Securities Authority and Jazzs most recent filings on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, as were
filed with the SEC. Tower and Jazz do not intend to update, and expressly disclaim any
obligation to update, the information contained in this release.
For Tower: | For Medigus: |
Company Contact: | Company Contact: |
Melinda Jarrell | Adi Frish |
(949) 435-8181 | +97286466990 ext 117 |
melinda.jarrell@tower-usa.com | adi@medigus.com |
Media Contact: | Investor Relations Contact: |
Lauri Julian | Noam Yellin |
(949) 715-3049 | +972 544 246720 |
lauri.julian@jazzsemi.com | noam@FinCom.co.il |
Investor Relations Contact:
Noit Levi +972 4 604 7066 noitle@towersemi.com |