Lily MEDTECH (Bunkyo -ku, Tokyo), which was founded in 2016 and achieved the practical use of the "ring -type ultrasonic image diagnostic device for breasts, Cocoly" at an unusual speed.This time, as one of the inventors who aim to solve social issues, we talked to Mr. Higashimiho, the company's representative director, who started a new technology to improve the overview of breast cancer and promptly detect early detection.。
Mammography cancer problem
In 2020, the number of newly affected women in the world exceeded lung cancer, and the world's top largest.Unlike other cancers that are often suffering from elderly people, the affection rate tends to rise significantly from the late 30s.Currently, the number of people with breast cancer and the number of deaths is increasing globally, and early detection and treatment, which are unbalanced in countries and regions, are urgently needed, including prevention of lifestyle.
On the other hand, the screening technology of breast cancer itself has fundamental issues."In the breast cancer screening, mammography is used worldwide, but overlooking has been seen as a problem," says Higashishimo, a representative of Lily Medtech Co., Ltd.
A mammography is an inspection device dedicated to the breast that irradiates the pressure on the oppressed breast with an X -ray, and is diagnosed by distinguishing the black -and -white shade caused by the difference in transmittance.At this time, in the breasts with less fat and developing the mammary glands, the mammary glands are also reflected in white, so the cancer may be hidden and overlooked.Asians and Westerners under the age of 65 have a lot of breasts, and in the United States, the revision of the law has been revised, and cancer overlooking has developed into social issues.
Mr. Higashi explains, "There was no solution, despite being a problem for women who accounted for half of the population."The subjects are limited to women, and new development of specialized equipment specializing in breasts has continued to be stepped on the cost, such as restrictions on the cost.However, Mr. Higashi was convinced that there was room for entry and contribution.
Bed -type inspection equipment, Cocolley
The "Cocolley" developed by Higashi -san is a bed -shaped inspection device, and a ring -shaped ultrasonic transmission reception machine is installed in the center hole.When the breast is inserted into the hole in a prone, a scan with an internal structure begins to surround the breast, making it easy to obtain 3D images.It does not squeeze the breast like a mammography.By immersing the breasts in hot water with a body temperature and scanning, the contrast between fat and the mammary glands makes it easier to distinguish.As a result, there was no pain, and a comfortable test was performed in which the breast was soaked in a warm water.
In ultrasound, the mammary glands are white and the cancer is projected black, so it is also suitable for detection of cancer in women with developed mammary glands.In particular, there is a feature that is good at breaking the mammary glands and finding an invasive cancer that progresses inside.
Cocoori shall use a ring echo, with this ultrasonic transmission receptionist in a ring.The ultrasonic waves are released from 360 degrees in a 360 -degree direction toward the inspection target, and reflections are received.Unlike flat ultrasonography, data obtained from many directions can build high -precision 3D images as if they were shot with MRI.In addition, small lesions that cannot be detected with mammography can be captured.Early detection is a major advantage in breast cancer diagnosis that dramatically increases the survival rate.It was an epoch -making invention that prevented oversight and accurately led to diagnosis.
In addition, the innovation of peripheral technology has also been a boost for the invention.For example, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is used for the technology to convert and rebuild the huge scan data obtained from about 2,000 elements into images.The GPU is a technology that is already widespread, which is also installed on game consoles that can experience the 3D world.As a result, it was cheap and could be reduced in development costs.It is said that the development was proceeded when the innovation of various technologies and the social needs matched.
Social implementation of rings echo research technology
Mr. Higashi, who liked physics since childhood, majored in aerospace engineering at university.In his doctoral course, he studied planetary spacecraft, and then engaged in a work that handles devices that analyze the molecular structure of the substance at atomic levels.Mr. Higashi, who felt the fun and romance in the complex world of science, has been influenced by the father of the manufacturer's work, and has continued to have the desire to make things that make use of the Japanese specialty.Say.
Under such circumstances, I came across the issues of developing medical technology using ring echo, which had been researched at the University of Tokyo, as a device.
Ultrasonic image diagnosis does not have to worry about exposure or contrast agent, and can minimize the burden on the examiner.In the medical field, although it has been used for many years, there is one aspect that requires experience and skills for accurate lesion detection.Therefore, the mainstream of image diagnosis was MRI and X -ray CT, and ultrasonic waves did not escape the area of auxiliary diagnostic tools.However, ultrasonic waves were also a technology that expanded the new development of the new development, which could turn the irradiation energy into heat, heat the target tissue and cells thermal coagulation, and had the potential for treatment applications.Focusing on this, Higashi -san's husband, Higashi Takashi, was conducting research on ultrasonic diagnosis and treatment technology.
Ring echo, which Takashi studies, is suitable for breast image diagnosis because of its shape and characteristics.In the meantime, early detection of breast cancer, which was increasing, and the need for treatment was increasing.Mr. Higashi began to think about the possibility of social implementation using her husband's research technology.
To solve social issues from science romance
Develop a diagnostic device that contributes to early detection of breast cancer as a product.Higashi, who had died of her mother in cancer, and Mr. Higashi, who had been disappointed, had a strong sense of mission, saying, "If it is related to social issues and medical care, you must do it."In response to the request from Takashi, Higashi will be greatly helped from pursuing romance in science to efforts to solve social issues.
Ultrasonic equipment was a technology that uses simple physical phenomena compared to the device that Higashi has handled so far.In the development of the device, Mr. Higashi first wrote and verified the expected programs, their capacity, the time required for processing, and the size of the data.
No matter how good technology is, it is not always possible to succeed as a business.If you can't lead to success as a business, you'll lose the way to return technology to society.In addition, it must be accepted for a long time, including maintenance and improvement.He said he was convinced that his verification results could be "realized" from his own verification, through his experience of spending his time as a developer in the manufacturer and the fun of the complex science.
Behind the accurate inventions of social needs and seeds, Higashi -san's inquiry in science and his curiosity and his experience have been used.
Development of technology to support life choices
The next one that Higashi and his colleagues aim for is the development of artificial intelligence (AI), which supports doctors' image diagnosis by cocoori, and the development of early treatment using ultrasound.Ultimately, we want to grow into a system that allows AI to take images and complete all processes up to diagnosis.One of the major benefits is that you can keep up with the same patient from diagnosis to treatment and subsequent follow -up.
Mr. Higashi says, "I want to be close to the various life stages of women."
Inspections using ultrasound can respond to a wide range of women's anxiety, such as those who may be pregnant and those who are concerned about the effects of radiation.In addition, early treatment with ultrasonic invasitivity can be returned to life earlier.Furthermore, if these are realized, we will be able to perform quality diagnosis and treatment regardless of location.
Looking at global trends, the incidence and mortality rate of breast cancer are particularly high in developing countries.More than half of the world's breast cancer and more than half of the deaths have been reported that they are women in developing countries, and regional deviation is an issue.I hope that the technology developed by Higashi and others will be one of the early detection and treatment, even in areas where the medical service system in Japan and overseas is not well -formed, and will contribute to solving global issues.
These days, lifestyles and values have changed remarkably."From now on, it will change into a society where you can achieve various choices in life. I would like to develop technology to support it," he said.
Mr. Higashi, who looks back on the fact that he values "the thoughts that come out naturally from the inside of himself" and worked on without prejudice, to realize a society where everyone can live like themselves.We approach from manufacturing.The beliefs in the invention have been transmitted with confidence.
CEO, CEO of Lily Medtech.He graduated from Telecommunications University in 2005 and joined Hitachi.After leaving the company, he studied at Arizona State University in the United States and completed the Master of Aerospace Engineering.After working for two domestic companies, he established Lily Medtech in May 2016.
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