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May 30, 2023

Canon Medical Systems Corporation Receives the Prize of the Chairman of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation (JIII) at the 2023 National Commendation for Invention

Canon Medical Systems Corporation (Headquarters: Otawara, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan; President and CEO: Toshio Takiguchi) received the Prize of the Chairman of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation and the Invention Achievement Award at the 2023 Ceremony of National Commendation for Invention, hosted by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation. These awards were given in recognition of the development of an improved method for displaying therapeutic devices during cardiac endovascular procedures (Japan Patent No. 5523791). We have now received awards of a level higher than a special award for three consecutive years.

The National Commendation for Invention was established to promote scientific technology and industrial development in Japan. The awards are presented by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation to honor outstanding technological achievements and advances. With the introduction of an angio workstation incorporating this new technology, which is known as the Dynamic Device Stabilizer (DDS), visualization of therapeutic devices is markedly improved, allowing devices to be positioned much more accurately. This is a major advance in endovascular therapy because it improves treatment outcomes, expands the range of endovascular procedures by increasing precision and efficiency, and promotes patient- and operator-friendly medical care.

Summary of the award-winning invention
This invention is related to image processing technologies for supporting cardiac endovascular therapy. Ischemic heart disease is responsible for approximately 20% of deaths worldwide, and endovascular therapy for expanding narrowed cardiac vessels is the mainstay of treatment. Although endovascular therapy is less invasive for patients, a major technical challenge is the need to position therapeutic devices with millimeter accuracy in cardiovascular structures which are constantly moving due to cardiac motion.
In this innovative method, X-ray images of the target site are acquired continuously and the devices which are moving due to cardiac motion are detected in each of the image frames. Motion correction is then applied to the images so that the devices are shown at the same position in each frame. The devices are enhanced and enlarged in the images, which are then immediately displayed as a dynamic image. This means that the therapeutic devices which are moving due to cardiac motion appear stationary in the real-time image displayed on the monitor. The result is a dramatic improvement in the visualization of therapeutic devices, which is expected to markedly increase the accuracy of device placement in endovascular procedures.

Awards and award winners
Prize of the Chairman of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation
Takuya Sakaguchi, Manager, Disease Applied Research Department, Research and Development Center, Canon Medical Systems Corporation
Kyojiro Nanbu, former employee of Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
Hisato Takemoto, Group Manager, VL Upstream Marketing Group, Vascular Systems Marketing and Promotion Department, Vascular Systems Division, Canon Medical Systems Corporation

Invention Achievement Award
Toshio Takiguchi, President and CEO, Canon Medical Systems Corporation