KERI Medical Tech: Improving Lives from Daily Care to Cancer Treatment
The Korea Electric Institute (KERI), lead by Director Kim Nam-kyun, is accelerating the
advancement of innovative disease diagnosis and treatment technologies based on
electrical control source technology. The institute aims to spearhead research and
development of everyday health management platforms, integrating artificial
intelligence (AI) and big data to enhance quality of life, health, and welfare.
The human body functions as a complex system utilizing electrical signals. Nerve cells,
or neurons,transmit these signals,causing changes in the cell membrane upon
stimulation. This process is crucial for sensory perception and muscle movement.
High-precision electrical control and electromagnetic source technology underpin various
medical applications, including endoscopy, imaging diagnostics like X-rays and CT scans,
and radiation cancer therapy. Notably, global medical device giants like GE and Siemens
originated as electrical companies.
KERI initiated its medical device research in the late 1990s and established an
electric medical device research department in 2007, starting with the completion of
its Ansan branch in gyeonggi-do. Currently, approximately 50 researchers with
master’s and doctoral degrees are dedicated to medical and biotechnology,
electromagnetic-based cancer treatment, and digital healthcare technology.
According to Bae Young-min, head of the KERI Electric Medical Device Research
Division,
the technology we study should be led by the government-funded research institute
as it is a challenging research that has a high ripple effect but a failure of
failure.
in 2018, a breast cancer early diagnosis technology, recognized as one of the 100th
National R&D Excellence projects, is being commercialized by private companies through
technology transfer. KERI successfully facilitated commercialization in 2023 by
providing continuous support for follow-up research.
In some instances, researchers have established their own companies. These include
B2LAL Tech, which developed a smart soft endoscopy for digestive system screening, and
Bitu Lab, founded to commercialize dental implant manufacturing technology using
femtosecond lasers.
As a regional institution,KERI also focuses on positively impacting the Ansan branch.
The KERI Ansan Branch is a central component of ‘Ansan Science Valley (ASV)’, an
industry-university R&D cluster comprising over 200 companies, research institutes,
and 4,600 researchers.
The KERI Electric Medical Device Research group has fostered collaboration by
establishing the KERI+ERICA project, aimed at cultivating high-end science and
technology talent in AI medical devices and biohealth technology, as well as promoting
joint research groups. This initiative seeks to strengthen ASV and regional
innovation capabilities.
The research team is organized into the Electrical Convergence Human Care Research
Centre, the Electromagnetic Fusion Research Center, and the Precision Medical Device
Research Center, which includes the Audienced Brain Diagnosis Research Team.
According to Bae,
Because of the nature of the medical device, there are many difficult tests and
certifications, and the commercialization of safety and effectiveness through clinical
trials.
KERI Electric Medical Device Research Group Researcher is studying signal processing AI
convergence technology.
The Electricity Convergence Human Care Research Center focuses on light and signal
processing AI convergence technologies for disease prevention, risk prediction, field
diagnosis, and digital healthcare, extending beyond traditional hospital settings.
Such as, research into ‘electronic pharmaceutical technology for metabolic syndrome
management’ has explored a novel approach involving electrical stimulation of the
cerebral cortex to suppress appetite. Studies using irregular signal stimulus (TRNS)
technology have demonstrated the potential to induce appetite suppression through
non-invasive electrical stimuli applied to the outer ear lobe.
the Electromagnetic Fusion Research center is dedicated to developing next-generation
high-precision electromagnetic convergence medical devices, utilizing high value-added
electromagnetic energy sources such as microwaves, terahertz waves, laser
technology-based light waves, and X-rays.
The next-generation cancer therapy research model built by the KERI Electric Medical
Device Research Group in Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital.
Recent achievements include the localization of ‘linear accelerators’ and ‘magnetron’
technology, which converts vacuum electron beam electrical energy into high-power
electromagnetic energy for high-energy radiation emission. this technology, recognized
as one of the 100th National R&D Excellence projects in 2022, has applications in
advanced radiation cancer therapies, potentially reducing reliance on imports.
The Center operates a joint laboratory with Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, focusing on
next-generation radiation therapy technology that integrates design, production,
evaluation, and non-clinical research. Accomplished development is expected to yield
next-generation radiation cancer therapies that address existing limitations, such as
damage to healthy cells. This technology was recognized in the 2025 Global TOP
Strategy Study Group.
The Precision Medical Device Research Center develops biosignal detection technology
based on electricity, light, radiation, and ultrasound, along with real-time image
induction technology, precision light treatment convergence technology, electric and
ultrasound polar treatment technology, and high-energy light source technology.
KERI Electric Medical Device Research Institute Research Institute of Precision Medical
Device Research Center is studying biological signal detection technology.
Key achievements include a high-power LED light source and a semiconductor laser for
precise cancer diagnosis and targeting with light. The center has also developed a new
medical video device combining X-ray and CT technologies to produce high-quality CT and
X-ray images with minimal radiation exposure.
The Hearing Cognitive Brain Functional Diagnostic Research Team integrates AI, ICT, and
advanced electrical technologies to study digital healthcare devices and technology for
the elderly, AI hearing aid technology, and advanced medical sensors and treatment
technologies for age-related diseases.
The team has analyzed daily conversations of elderly individuals using AI to develop a
technology for early detection of mild cognitive impairment, a precursor to dementia.
This technology has been used to successfully identify patients with mild cognitive
impairment and suspected subjects among more than 100 people in the community,
including the Sangnok-gu Senior Welfare center in Ansan-si.
KERI Electric Medical Device Research Group’s hearing-cognitive brain function diagnosis
research team is studying digital healthcare technology.
The ultimate goal of the KERI Electric Medical Device Research Group is to promote
health and welfare and to strengthen the competitiveness of high-tech medical and
healthcare technology, thereby extending the healthy lifespan of the population.
Bae stated,
We expect the research team to be used for the development of big data based on
biometric information collection and analysis and analytical analysis and AI medical and
healthcare technology through the expansion of the elderly population and the
development of ICT.
Next-Generation Cancer Therapy: A Deep Dive into KERI’s Innovations
Table of Contents
- Next-Generation Cancer Therapy: A Deep Dive into KERI’s Innovations
- What is the Korea Electric Institute (KERI)?
- How is KERI innovating in cancer treatment?
- What are the key technologies and projects being developed?
- What are the potential benefits of KERI’s research?
- How does KERI collaborate with other entities?
- What are some specific examples of KERI’s achievements?
This article explores the cutting-edge research conducted by the Korea Electric Institute (KERI) in the field of medical devices, particularly focusing on advancements in cancer diagnosis and treatment.
What is the Korea Electric Institute (KERI)?
The Korea Electric Institute (KERI) is a research institute led by Director Kim Nam-kyun, focused on advancing disease diagnosis and treatment technologies through electrical control source technology. KERI aims to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and big data to enhance healthcare platforms.
How is KERI innovating in cancer treatment?
KERI is making significant strides in cancer treatment by developing:
Next-generation radiation cancer therapy: This includes localizing ‘linear accelerators’ and ‘magnetron’ technology, which converts electrical energy into high-power electromagnetic energy for high-energy radiation emission.
Precision Medical Device research: The Center develops biosignal detection technology, including real-time image induction technology and high-energy light source technology.
Electromagnetic Fusion Research: Advancement of high-precision electromagnetic convergence medical devices using high-value-added electromagnetic energy sources.
What are the key technologies and projects being developed?
KERI’s research encompasses various technologies and projects, including:
Electrical Convergence Human Care Research Centre: Focuses on light and signal processing AI convergence technologies for disease prevention, risk prediction, field diagnosis, and digital healthcare.
electromagnetic Fusion Research Center: Dedicated to developing advanced electromagnetic convergence medical devices using microwaves, terahertz waves, and laser technology for cancer therapy.
Precision Medical Device Research Center: Developing biosignal detection technology, image induction technology, and high-energy light sources for precise cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Joint Laboratory with Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital: Focuses on next-generation radiation therapy technology integrating design, production, evaluation, and non-clinical research. This aims to address existing limitations,such as potential damage to healthy cells during radiation therapy. This technology was recognized in the 2025 Global TOP Strategy Study Group.
What are the potential benefits of KERI’s research?
The aim of KERI’s research is to:
Promote health and welfare.
Strengthen the competitiveness of high-tech medical and healthcare technology.
Extend the healthy lifespan of the population.
Reduce reliance on imports of medical technologies.
How does KERI collaborate with other entities?
KERI actively collaborates with several entities:
Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital: Operates a joint laboratory focusing on next-generation radiation therapy.
Ansan Science Valley (ASV): KERI’s ansan branch plays a central role in the ASV, an industry-university R&D cluster with over 200 companies, research institutes, and 4,600 researchers.
KERI+ERICA project: Aimed at cultivating high-end science and technology talent in AI medical devices and biohealth technology,it promotes joint research groups to strengthen regional innovation.
What are some specific examples of KERI’s achievements?
Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Technology: In 2018, this was recognized as one of the 100th National R&D Excellence projects; the technology is being commercialized by private companies through technology transfer.
Localization of Linear Accelerators and Magnetron Technology: Recognized as one of the 100th National R&D Excellence projects in 20