May 9 2017
Aichi Medical University, Nippon Zoki Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and FRONTEO Healthcare, Inc. (“FRONTEO Healthcare”), a subsidiary of FRONTEO, Inc. that provides medical data analysis solutions using the artificial intelligence (“AI”) engine “KIBIT”, announced today that the three parties have begun their joint research to develop an AI system that supports the diagnosis and management of chronic pain.
Chronic pain arises from a spectrum of both known and unknown etiologies. In addition to the tremendous morbidity which results, it is also a major driver of the increase in healthcare costs. Optimal diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain requires a multidisciplinary approach encompassing medical, neurological, psychosocial, and occupational expertise. As Japan is an aging society with high stress levels, the number of patients with chronic pain is expected to increase dramatically over the next few decades.
Aichi Medical University established Japan’s first multidisciplinary management and research facility for chronic pain, the Multidisciplinary Pain Center (the “Pain Center”). The Pain Center includes anesthesiologists, orthopedic surgeons, psychiatrists, nurses, physiotherapists, and clinical psychologists, all highly focused on the management of pain. In addition, approximately 7,000 patients are cared for annually at the Pain Center.
The KIBIT joint research will develop algorithms focused on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain. Aichi Medical University will provide anonymous medical records of patients with pain and their corresponding multidisciplinary management. FRONTEO Healthcare will be responsible for the analysis and optimization of algorithms incorporating this knowledge base into KIBIT. Nippon Zoki will provide financial support and business development expertise. After a one-year initiation phase, the involved parties will proceed with the development of a commercialized diagnostic platform to support pain management in Japanese clinics and hospitals. Ultimately, this project will enable better and more cost effective care of pain management across Japan.
Source: http://www.fronteo.com/