Revolutionizing TB Diagnosis: Japan Unveils AI-Powered Breakthrough, Set to Launch in Thailand
Revolutionizing Healthcare: Japan’s AI Technology to Diagnose Tuberculosis in Thailand
In the era of prioritizing health, access to quality care remains a significant barrier for many Thais. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence technology, this problem may soon be alleviated. Lpixel, a startup from Japan’s University of Tokyo, offers a service that utilizes AI to diagnose diseases, including tuberculosis.
Lpixel’s AI system analyzes x-ray images of the lung to identify signs of tuberculosis and alert doctors. This technology has been trialed with Mahidol University and is set to be used in medical institutions across Thailand. The company aims to provide the system to 100 healthcare facilities in Southeast Asia within three years.
Artificial Intelligence Helps Read X-rays to Detect Tuberculosis Faster
The World Health Organization reports that there were approximately 10.6 million tuberculosis patients worldwide in 2022, with the ASEAN region having the highest number of cases. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in combating this disease.
Thailand faces a significant shortage of medical staff, with only 9 doctors per 10,000 people, compared to 26 in Japan. Lpixel’s AI technology can help ease the burden on doctors and provide patients with quicker access to care. The company’s AI system is primarily based on X-ray data from Japan but also considers other factors that may affect the quality of the data.
“The company sees that emerging countries are in desperate need of AI-based diagnosis systems due to the shortage of doctors. We want half of our sales to come from abroad within 10 years,” said Tomy Kamada, director of Lpixel.
Japanese AI Invades ASEAN Market, Diagnosing Stomach Cancer
Another Japanese company, AI Medical Service, is also entering the ASEAN market with an artificial intelligence system for analyzing endoscopic images to diagnose stomach cancer. This technology is already used in hospitals across Japan and is expanding to Brazil and ASEAN countries.
The company received approval in Singapore in February and aims to sell its systems in Thailand and Vietnam in the future. Indonesia and Vietnam have limited medical infrastructure, making it easier for AI-equipped medical devices to enter the market.
“In emerging countries with medical infrastructures that are not yet fully developed, medical devices equipped with artificial intelligence may be able to quickly enter the market,” said Kenji Yoshida, head of the company’s global business.
Golden Opportunity for the Medical Artificial Intelligence Market
Japan is a world leader in stomach cancer research and treatment, with a unique technology for examining the stomach using an internal camera (endoscope). The country’s vast amount of medical data has become a valuable resource in developing AI systems to analyze and diagnose diseases more accurately.
Japan has a large number of medical professionals capable of using endoscopes, with about 35,000 members in the Japan Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Association, compared to about 12,000 members in the equivalent US industry association.
The medical imaging market is expected to grow significantly, reaching $70.2 billion by 2032, driven by the increasing use of artificial intelligence technology in medical devices and the growing world population.