Annual Report 2024
Division of Science and Technology for Endoscopy (Kashiwa Campus)
Tomonori Yano, Keiichiro Nakajo, Hironori Sunakawa, Toshihiro Takamatsu, Hiroaki Ikematsu
Introduction
Endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic devices have made remarkable progress. However, there are still some devices that have yet to be developed, such as cancer screening devices, devices for diagnosing commonly missed cancers, devices for diagnosing deep lesions, and devices for treatment complications. We are therefore conducting basic research by incorporating the seeds of science and engineering academia into developing these devices and joint development with companies.
The Team and What We Do
We conduct basic research and pre-clinical studies on medical device development.
Research Activities
Equipment development in 2024 was as follows: (1) development of an automatic colon insertion endoscope, (2) evaluation of the usefulness of highly quantitative imaging of fecal occult blood, (3) evaluation of tumor microenvironment using oxygen saturation imaging, and (4) development of a real-time fluorescence monitoring system for optimal light dosage in cancer photoimmunotherapy. All of these are highly novel seeds and systems that have never existed before and are expected to be clinically useful.
Clinical Trials
1) Basic data collection for high quantitative fecal occult blood imaging technology
2) Monitoring and imaging during photoimmunotherapy
3) Evaluation of tumor microenvironment using oxygen saturation imaging
Education
One researcher at Tokyo University of Science was continuously sent to our hospital (National Cancer Center Hospital East: NCCHE) by a cross-appointment with Tokyo University of Science. Meetings are constantly conducted with faculties including technology and science students from Tokyo University of Science.
We held a symposium with academia. We have also provided many opportunities for matching seeds and needs with other academia.
Future Prospects
We aim to develop innovative medical devices desired by the next generation that reflect the needs of clinical practice.
In the future, we will continue to develop endoscopic equipment in cooperation with the Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy of the NCCHE and attempt innovative approaches to produce all-new endoscopy approaches/devices in collaboration with academia and corporations. With the aim of acquiring new seeds, we are developing the research infrastructure necessary to collaborate with academia.