Research and Development Structure
Our R&D department has about 90 employees. Development based on market research by the Marketing Department and development based on the results of elemental technology research by the Development Department is carried out, and R&D is managed in stages according to the "Design and Development Procedure."
In order to catch up with the latest trends in medical devices and apply them to R&D, we send our staff to international conferences, exchange information with medical professionals who visit our factories, and share information with the marketing department.
The R&D Division has established policies such as "R&D with Originality," "R&D with an Awareness of Clinical and Manufacturing Aspects," and "Timely Provision of Products that Meet the Needs." We are working on the development of new products and the improvement of existing products, as well as R&D themes aimed at improving the QOL of patients, a universal social issue.
Universal Design Initiatives
In our R&D, we aim to design products that are easy for everyone to use. Whenever we make improvements that affect operability, we always conduct evaluations of operability using touch samples and simulated blood vessels by doctors and technicians who are users and reflect the results in product design. We also conduct evaluations based on IEC62366:2007 (International standard of application of usability engineering to medical devices) when necessary.
As a result of these efforts, the internal atrial cardioversion catheter "BeeAT" "BeeAT with inner Lumen", the Frozen Elephant Trunk "FROZENIX" "FROZENIX 4 Branched", and the gastro-duodenal stent "JENTLLY NEO" received "Good Design Award" for their unique designs that reduce the physical burden on patients.
Received the Award in 2018Internal Atrial Cardioversion Catheter
"BeeAT"
Received the Award in 2019Frozen Elephant Trunk
"FROZENIX"
Received the Award in 2022Gastro-Duodenal Stent
"JENTLLY NEO"
Received the Award in 2023Frozen Elephant Trunk
"FROZENIX 4 Branched"
Received the Award in 2024Internal Atrial Cardioversion Catheter
"BeeAT with inner Lumen"
Development of Easy-to-Use AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators)
Because AEDs are used in emergencies, they must be designed to be easy for anyone to use. For the AED "Cardiac Rescue RQ-6000" sold by us, we have made a request to the manufacturer regarding the specifications. The illustrations on the unit, the flashing lights, and the instructions for use that come with the unit have been also designed for the easy usability of hearing-impaired people.
The product has been approved by a general incorporated association, All Japan Association of Hard of Hearing and Late-Deafened People, to display the "Ear Symbol" as it was designed with the hearing impaired in mind.
AED (Automated External Defibrillators)"Cardiac Rescue RQ-6000"
Ear Symbol
Policy on Animal Testing
In the development of medical devices, there are many situations where animal testing is essential. When the use of experimental animals is necessary for unavoidable reasons, we outsource the work. The selection of contractors is based on "The Three Rs" ("Replacement" (use of alternative techniques,), "Reduction" (reduction of the number of animals used to a minimum), and "Refinement" (making sure animals suffer as little as possible)). In addition, the tests will be conducted at facilities that comply with "The Act on the Welfare and Management of Animals", "Basic Guidelines for the Conduct of Animal Experiments in Implementing Agencies Under the Jurisdiction of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare", and "Standards relating to the Care and Keeping and Reducing Pain of Laboratory Animals" noticed by the Ministry of the Environment.
