A COUNTY Durham scanner firm is helping improve patients’ treatment for brittle bones.

Kromek has secured a near $1m deal to supply detectors for use in osteoporosis equipment.

Bosses at the company, based at NetPark, in Sedgefield, County Durham, say its indicators will improve systems, allowing doctors to diagnose the strength and health of bones more clearly.

The contract, worth £674,600, will last for 20 months and is a renewal of a previous deal.

Arnab Basu, Kromek chief executive, said the agreement represents another boost for the business, which is a spin-out of Durham University’s physics department.

He added: “We are delighted this long-standing customer has renewed their supply contract for detectors, which further strengthens our relationship.

“We continue to win repeat business from existing customers and bone mineral densitometry remains a key segment offering growth opportunities over the next 12 to 18 months.”

Kromek is best known for pioneering an airport scanner, which can identify liquids in bottles, including explosives, alcohol and narcotics, without opening them, in less than 20 seconds.