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Interested in the medical applications of photonic quantum beams? Join us!
Our lab conducts a wide range of research on medical applications of photonic quantum beams, such as lasers, based on the theoretical study of how light propagates through biological tissues—also known as tissue optics. From fundamental research to clinical applications, our goal is to develop medical devices that can be practically used in healthcare settings. We are engaged in collaborative research with many physicians, dentists, and medical device manufacturers.
One of the major challenges facing the medical field in Japan is the super-aging and declining birthrate of the population, as well as the fact that most medical devices used for treatment are imported. Japan is among the most rapidly aging countries in the world. According to a 2019 statistic, the average life expectancy is 81 years for men and 87 years for women, while the healthy life expectancy—living without the need for nursing care—is only 72 years for men and 76 years for women. This results in nearly a 10-year gap. Nowadays, issues such as young caregivers, elderly-to-elderly care, and dementia-to-dementia care are commonly reported, along with accidents caused by elderly drivers. In this context, our lab places great emphasis on closing the gap between average life expectancy and healthy life expectancy.
As other countries are expected to face similar demographic shifts in the future, Japan’s proactive efforts could lead the way globally. Success in this area could also impact the current medical device market, which is dominated by foreign products.
Treating diseases after they become severe is not only more difficult but also significantly more expensive. In a super-aging society where there is a growing shortage of medical professionals, prevention, early detection, and early treatment become increasingly important. This is where photonic quantum technologies such as lasers and LEDs show great promise. Since people with no symptoms are unlikely to visit hospitals unless for routine check-ups, it is highly effective to utilize everyday tools already being adopted for health monitoring, such as smartphones, smartwatches, beds, and toilets—making photonic technologies a perfect fit.
To realize practical medical devices, scientific validation of both efficacy and safety is essential. In our lab, we use not only experiments but also computer simulations to efficiently evaluate these aspects. We have already contributed to the domestic implementation of laser devices developed overseas for the treatment of conditions such as varicose veins, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and benign pigmented skin disorders. Additionally, with support from domestic medical device manufacturers, we developed a laser device for early gastrointestinal cancer treatment in collaboration with the Department of Gastroenterology at Kobe University, and a device that diagnoses tooth decay by measuring tooth hardness using LED light in collaboration with Osaka Dental University and The University of Osaka Graduate School of Dentistry. The former is close to commercialization, and the latter has already been commercialized.
The University of Osaka is known for its strong industry-academia collaboration. Moreover, its Suita Campus is home to the Graduate Schools of Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Engineering, offering an ideal environment for medical-engineering collaboration. Leveraging this advantage, we aim to reduce the gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy by advancing interdisciplinary research with the following fields: