Material Issue 1
Creating new value and solving medical issues
SDGs and our commitment
 | Goal 3 : Good health and well-beingOur business activities are focused on diagnostic imaging, healthcare IT and IVD (in vitro diagnostics), to provide real value to medical institutions and patients around the world. |
 | Goal 9 : Industry, innovation and infrastructureWe promote joint development and innovation with leading research institutes, including universities and other companies, in and outside of Japan, to develop advanced products and services. |
 | Goal 17 : Goals-based collaborationBy strengthening our global partnerships, we contribute to solving medical issues in more than 150 countries and regions. |
We develop technology that reduces the burden on patients
and provides high-definition images that contribute to solving healthcare issues.
and provides high-definition images that contribute to solving healthcare issues.
Concept
As the world’s population continues to age, it’s more important than ever that patients are armed with the information they need to take care of their health, including any genetic predisposition to cancer. With this in mind, Canon Medical Systems decided to enter the business of cancer genetic testing by acquiring all shares of the company ACTmed in late 2018.
Joint research with institutions around the world
The Canon Medical Systems is conducting joint research with institutions around the world to promote innovation in healthcare and respond to evolving medical needs.
Austin ICU SMI Project (Australia)
The aim of this project is to offer a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the tissue/end-organ flow of hypotensive or shocked patients. If the ability of SMI to provide such an evaluation is confirmed, it may attribute to radical changes in the management of critically ill patients.Joint research on the application of deep learning reconstruction in MRI:
Bordeaux University and Kumamoto University (France, Japan)
This research is being conducted to help further reduce noise, achieve ultra-high resolution,
and minimize reconstruction time for MRI imaging.
Joint research on regenerative medicine with Center for iPS Cell Research and Application:
Kyoto University (Japan)
We aim to contribute to the development of regenerative medicine through achieving improvement of the quality of autologous iPS cells.
Reduction of Burden on Patients
Developing new clinical applications in close collaboration with academic partners
TOPICS: Gout imaging and quantification
Abstract:While Computed Tomography (CT) is an excellent tool for depicting anatomy and the morphology of findings, it cannot analyze the chemical composition of tissues, depositions and structures. However, with the advent of Dual-Energy technology in CT (DECT), different forms of material decomposition techniques become possible and allow for a further exploration and characterization in images in search of new types of contribution to clinical information.
Gout is a musculoskeletal disease where monosodium uric acid (MSU) precipitate within the joint and form tophi in the surrounding soft-tissues, for example at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. This most-common form of arthritis affects 1-2% of the western population with over the last decades increasing prevalence and is characterized by recurrent painful attacks of inflammation. As part of the long-standing clinical research collaboration between Canon Medical Systems and the Charité, Dr T. Diekhoff (Charité Radiology Department, Berlin, Germany) studied gouty arthritis with a DECT system from Canon. This research started with a feasibility study on a phantom and results were quickly further developed and finally translated to a new clinical DECT application for the diagnosis and treatment follow-up of gout patients in routine clinical practice.
Photo of Dr. Diekhoff and Charité entrance
During this research project, it became clear that the mere volume of gouty tophi does not capture the actual disease burden of the patient as the concentration of uric acid within a tophus may vary. Especially during treatment, where uric acid tophy form and vanish, the concentration of MSU and the calculation of its total mass provides valuable additional information exceeding that of volume measurements. Now, by acquiring follow-up CT examinations and comparing the MSU mass content with previous ones, the treatment efficacy is well controlled, which is in the benefit of the patient.
Today this new clinical application is part of the routine working scheme for gout imaging.
Today this new clinical application is part of the routine working scheme for gout imaging.
Training sessions for healthcare professionals
Canon Medical Systems offers a range of training programs for healthcare professionals
to support their continued professional development.
TOPICS: System optimization courses (Australia)
To help our customers get the very best out of our latest ultrasound systems, we invited them to attend a hands-on training day where senior technologists were on-hand to demonstrate the features and benefits on offer. Participants were also encouraged to explore the machines themselves and engage with content that was relevant and useful for their clinical practice.
Addressing the world’s evolving medical needs
TOPICS: Contributing to the development of regenerative medicine through joint research aimed at realizing high-quality autologous iPS cells
Regenerative medicine is a field that involves such techniques as transplanting cells and tissues cultured outside the body to restore organ and tissue function lost through illness or injury. The field is expected to yield remedies for diseases that, until now, have had no effective treatments. iPS cells* are the key to success for regenerative medicine.In 2019, together with Canon Inc., Canon Medical Systems started joint research with the Center for iPS Cell Research and Application of Kyoto University with the aim of contributing to the field of regenerative medicine through the realization of higher-quality induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells for autograft purposes, or "my iPS cells."
Because my iPS cells are cultured using iPS cells made from the patient's own cells, there are fewer risks of immune rejection after the cells are transplanted. It is expected that if production of my iPS cells in a short period of time and at a low cost was possible, regenerative medicine would be available for many people. In order to achieve this, it is integral to create new technology wherein a stable supply of iPS cells with guaranteed quality can be produced in a short period of time and at a low cost. This joint research between Canon and CiRA will utilize the core technologies of the Canon Group--optical technology, measurement technology and diagnostic imaging technology--to develop a low-cost examination method as well as investigate markers to determine cell differentiation.
Furthermore, through the use of the quality control technology and production technology the Canon Group has developed, the research aims to identify and control the factors that affect the quality of iPS cells to achieve iPS cell production at a low cost and with a shorter lead time while maintaining high quality and safety.
* iPS cells (induced pluripotent stem cells) are a type of stem cell with almost indefinite capacity to multiply that can be cultured to become almost any kind of cells in a body.
TOPICS: Professor Hiroyuki Fujita, Director of Advanced Research Laboratory of Canon Medical Systems is the first Japanese recipient of the Robert Bosch Micro and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems Award
Professor Fujita has received the Robert Bosch Micro and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems Award*, established by the Electron Device Society of the IEEE, for his pioneering contribution to microactuators, optical-MEMS, and bio-nano-MEMS.MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) is a collective term for devices that integrate mechanical components, such as sensor actuators and electronic circuits with silicon substrate, glass substrate, and organic material of the semiconductors. They are often used in the acceleration sensor and microphone of smartphones, as well as the airbag system of a car, but may also offer significant benefits to the world of radiology. Moving forward, Canon Medical Systems is extremely excited to address a range of medical issues by employing these cutting-edge technologies into our systems and solutions.
* Robert Bosch Micro and Nano Electro Mechanical Systems Award is a globally recognized award in the field of MEMS which is the basic component technology for car technology and IoT.
TOPICS: We’re contributing to the field of genomic cancer medicine by providing cutting-edge, high-quality clinical DNA sequencing services
ACTmed Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of Canon Medical Systems, has recently established an analysis laboratory, known as Shonan Health Innovation Park Laboratory, to offer consignment-based genetic analysis services, such as clinical DNA sequencing*1 to clients in Japan. It is also contributing to the development of genomic cancer medicine*2 by providing cutting-edge, high-quality clinical DNA sequencing services to meet the growing demand from medical facilities.Shonan Health Innovation Park Laboratory, established in Shonan Health Innovation Park*3, is equipped with the latest genetic testing equipment, including a next-generation sequencer*4, to enable the facility to perform quality checks and conduct extremely accurate and reliable analysis of clinical specimens sent from clients. The clinical DNA sequencing services offered by ACTmed will include the provision of reports created based on clinical databases of genetic information specifically for Asian populations, as well as other clinical information derived from the cumulative clinical analysis tests performed at the facility.
*1 Clinical DNA sequencing: Genetic testing to determine the most effective therapy for each individual patient based on a comprehensive analysis of the genetic factors related to diseases such as cancer.
*2 Genomic cancer medicine: Medical care in which treatments are personalized and offered based on the patient's physical conditions that are identified through simultaneous testing of many base sequences of DNA to identify genetic mutation.
*3 Shonan Health Innovation Park: A private enterprise-based science park established by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited.
*4 Next-generation sequencer (NGS): DNA sequencing system that can simultaneously read many base sequences of DNA.
Preventing the spread of infectious diseases
TOPICS: Development of new testing system for infectious livestock diseases that uses DNA chip technology
Canon Medical Systems is developing a new testing system for livestock infectious diseases that uses DNA chip technology to enable the simultaneous detection of multiple microorganisms quickly, accurately, and correctly in an easy manner and at a lower cost.In November 2019, Canon Medical Systems received the Chairman's Award from the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Research Council as part of the Commendations for Outstanding Achievement in Private Sector R&D in Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, for the system's contribution to strengthening the competitiveness of the farming industry.
* DNA chip card: Tool for analyzing genes
Material Issue 1
Creating new value and solving medical issues
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