RCBE held medical-engineering seminar with Tokyo Metropolitan Government

The Research Center for Biomedical Engineering (RCBE) hosted an online seminar on medical-engineering collaboration in partnership with the Tokyo Medical-Engineering Collaboration HUB Organization. The seminar targeted approximately 700 medical device manufacturers based in Tokyo.

On January 15, 2025, the seminar was held under the theme "The Frontline of Medical-Engineering Startups Emerging from Academia." After brief introduction of RCBE by Professor Akihiro Miyauchi of Institute of Science Tokyo, four featured lectures were given by the following distinguished professors:

• Professor Takehito Hananouchi, Department of Academia-Government-Industry Collaboration, Hiroshima University: "The Frontline of Medical-Engineering Startups from Academia with Clinical Experience."
• Professor Hirokazu Kaji, Laboratory for Biomedical Materials Engineering, Institute of Science Tokyo: "Development of Biomimetic Systems: Using Human Placenta as an Example."
• Associate Professor Tadashi Ishida, Laboratory for Future Interdisciplinary Research of Science and Technology, Institute of Science Tokyo: "Efforts Toward Practical Applications of Biomedical Microfluidic Devices."
• Professor Toru Aoki, Research Institute of Electronics, Shizuoka University: "The Example of Shizuoka University and ANSeeN."

The event attracted over 100 online participants and was highly successful.

Highlights of the seminar included specific case studies such as medical devices developed using 3D printing to significantly enhance the precision of hip joint replacement surgeries and a collaborative effort with physicians to apply CdTe photon-counting sensors to surgical X-ray CT systems. Cutting-edge advancements, such as the development of Microphysiological Systems (MPS) and microfluidic devices for medical applications, were also presented.

The speakers provided candid insights into the challenges and successes of applying engineering technologies to healthcare, offering valuable perspectives for considering business models in medical-engineering collaboration.

The seminar concluded with closing remarks by Professor Emeritus Kazuo Tanishita, Chair of the Japan Medical-Engineering Commons and affiliated with Keio University.

The RCBE plans to continue hosting seminars on medical-engineering collaboration in cooperation with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.