MedInTech is demonstrating its product at Digestive Disease Week 2024 (DDW 2024), held in Washington, D.C., United States. Even when the endoscope is forcefully shaken by hand, the artificial intelligence software controls the movement of the distal tip, keeping the lesion centered on the screen without significant deviation. / Washington, D.C. = Reporter Oh Hyun-ah
“Even when the endoscope is shaken like this, you can see that the lesion remains fixed at the center of the screen. This kind of technology can only be implemented in a fully motorized endoscope.”
From June 18 to 21 (local time), we met MedInTech at Digestive Disease Week 2024 (DDW 2024), held in Washington, D.C., United States. MedInTech is a Korean biotech startup that has entered the gastrointestinal endoscopy market, which is dominated by Japanese companies holding about 90% of the market share.
The world’s first motorized endoscope… enabling AI-based motion control
The motorized motor, a core component of MedInTech’s endoscope.
The motor controls the endoscope through mechanical force, while artificial intelligence software is integrated into this component as well. / Washington, D.C. = Oh Hyun-ah, Reporter
MedInTech’s endoscope operates using a motorized drive system. In appearance, it is not significantly different from conventional endoscopes produced by existing manufacturers. The difference lies in how it moves. In conventional systems, when the wheel on the control unit is turned, the distal tip of the endoscope follows through purely mechanical motion.
In contrast, MedInTech’s device transmits movement commands as electrical signals when the control unit is operated. These signals are then delivered to the motor, and the motor’s power bends and controls the distal tip of the endoscope.
Why replace a manually controlled system with a motorized one? Lee Chi-won, CEO of MedInTech, gives two answers. First, the weight of the control unit that medical staff must hold with one hand is reduced by half. In conventional endoscopes, most of the complex components connecting the control unit to the distal tip are concentrated around the control handle, causing its weight to reach approximately 700 grams. In MedInTech’s system, these components are instead mounted on the motor, reducing the weight of the control unit by half and thereby lowering the physical burden on medical professionals during procedures.
A MedInTech representative is demonstrating the product at DDW 2024. The AI software measures and displays the size of the abnormal area.
The second reason is to introduce a fully artificial intelligence (AI)–based endoscope. This is to allow AI software to control not only image analysis but also the movement of the endoscope itself. The MedInTech endoscope observed on site automatically determines the insertion direction using AI. When an abnormal area is detected, the system keeps it fixed at the center of the screen, enabling more convenient diagnosis and procedures.
As seen in the previous video, even when the control unit is shaken significantly, the AI controls the movement of the distal tip of the endoscope, so the image on the screen does not move drastically. In addition, the system is equipped with functions that detect abnormal areas and provide an approximate measurement of their size.
CEO Lee compared conventional manually operated endoscopes to “internal combustion engine vehicles,” and fully automated endoscopes to “electric vehicles.” He explained, “Electric vehicles, which are controlled by electrical signals, are more advantageous than internal combustion engine vehicles when it comes to autonomous driving,” adding, “In the same way, only fully automated endoscopes can have their movements controlled by AI.”
Lee added, “This will be particularly helpful in preventing medical accidents by less-experienced physicians,” and noted that “Western doctors, who often have less refined manual skills compared to their Korean or Japanese counterparts, showed strong interest, saying it looks convenient.” He concluded by stating, “The ultimate goal is the automation of endoscopic procedures,” and emphasized that “MedInTech is preparing for a paradigm shift in endoscopy.”
Full-scale sales to begin in the fourth quarter of this year… U.S. regulatory approval expected in the first quarter of next year
Chi Won Lee, CEO of MedInTech (left), and Myungjun Kim, Head of Business Operations. / Washington, D.C. = Reporter Oh Hyun-ah
MedInTech’s product received regulatory approval in Korea in August last year as a Class II endoscopic medical device. Class II medical devices do not require separate clinical trials. However, clinical data is essential to encourage physicians to purchase the product. Accordingly, MedInTech has been conducting a 200-patient clinical study in collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital since earlier this year.
“We plan to first compile and disclose interim results from about 100 patients,” Lee said, adding, “We expect full-scale sales to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.”
The primary sales targets are health screening centers and primary and secondary hospitals. Lee explained, “Endoscopes are consumables that need to be replaced after a certain period,” and added, “Since we will be supplying our products at a much lower price than Japanese competitors, we believe they will be highly competitive.”
An easy and customer-friendly after-sales service (AS) policy is also part of the sales strategy. “Existing foreign products often have complicated AS policies, so hospitals frequently have to pay for repairs or rely on third-party repair services,” Lee said. “We plan to improve convenience by offering measures such as free product replacement for several years in case of issues.”
MedInTech is also preparing for overseas expansion. The company is currently planning market entry into Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In addition, it expects to enter the U.S. market in the first quarter of next year by utilizing the 510(k) substantial equivalence pathway.
Lee added, “There was very strong interest from Latin American medical professionals at the event,” noting that “we plan to prepare for entry into the Latin American market in the near future as well.”
Reporter Oh Hyun-ah (5hyun@hankyung.com)
View the original article
https://www.hankyung.com/article/202405276190i
MedInTech is demonstrating its product at Digestive Disease Week 2024 (DDW 2024), held in Washington, D.C., United States. Even when the endoscope is forcefully shaken by hand, the artificial intelligence software controls the movement of the distal tip, keeping the lesion centered on the screen without significant deviation. / Washington, D.C. = Reporter Oh Hyun-ah
“Even when the endoscope is shaken like this, you can see that the lesion remains fixed at the center of the screen. This kind of technology can only be implemented in a fully motorized endoscope.”
From June 18 to 21 (local time), we met MedInTech at Digestive Disease Week 2024 (DDW 2024), held in Washington, D.C., United States. MedInTech is a Korean biotech startup that has entered the gastrointestinal endoscopy market, which is dominated by Japanese companies holding about 90% of the market share.
The world’s first motorized endoscope… enabling AI-based motion control
The motorized motor, a core component of MedInTech’s endoscope.
The motor controls the endoscope through mechanical force, while artificial intelligence software is integrated into this component as well. / Washington, D.C. = Oh Hyun-ah, Reporter
MedInTech’s endoscope operates using a motorized drive system. In appearance, it is not significantly different from conventional endoscopes produced by existing manufacturers. The difference lies in how it moves. In conventional systems, when the wheel on the control unit is turned, the distal tip of the endoscope follows through purely mechanical motion.
In contrast, MedInTech’s device transmits movement commands as electrical signals when the control unit is operated. These signals are then delivered to the motor, and the motor’s power bends and controls the distal tip of the endoscope.
Why replace a manually controlled system with a motorized one? Lee Chi-won, CEO of MedInTech, gives two answers. First, the weight of the control unit that medical staff must hold with one hand is reduced by half. In conventional endoscopes, most of the complex components connecting the control unit to the distal tip are concentrated around the control handle, causing its weight to reach approximately 700 grams. In MedInTech’s system, these components are instead mounted on the motor, reducing the weight of the control unit by half and thereby lowering the physical burden on medical professionals during procedures.
A MedInTech representative is demonstrating the product at DDW 2024. The AI software measures and displays the size of the abnormal area.
The second reason is to introduce a fully artificial intelligence (AI)–based endoscope. This is to allow AI software to control not only image analysis but also the movement of the endoscope itself. The MedInTech endoscope observed on site automatically determines the insertion direction using AI. When an abnormal area is detected, the system keeps it fixed at the center of the screen, enabling more convenient diagnosis and procedures.
As seen in the previous video, even when the control unit is shaken significantly, the AI controls the movement of the distal tip of the endoscope, so the image on the screen does not move drastically. In addition, the system is equipped with functions that detect abnormal areas and provide an approximate measurement of their size.
CEO Lee compared conventional manually operated endoscopes to “internal combustion engine vehicles,” and fully automated endoscopes to “electric vehicles.” He explained, “Electric vehicles, which are controlled by electrical signals, are more advantageous than internal combustion engine vehicles when it comes to autonomous driving,” adding, “In the same way, only fully automated endoscopes can have their movements controlled by AI.”
Lee added, “This will be particularly helpful in preventing medical accidents by less-experienced physicians,” and noted that “Western doctors, who often have less refined manual skills compared to their Korean or Japanese counterparts, showed strong interest, saying it looks convenient.” He concluded by stating, “The ultimate goal is the automation of endoscopic procedures,” and emphasized that “MedInTech is preparing for a paradigm shift in endoscopy.”
Full-scale sales to begin in the fourth quarter of this year… U.S. regulatory approval expected in the first quarter of next year
Chi Won Lee, CEO of MedInTech (left), and Myungjun Kim, Head of Business Operations. / Washington, D.C. = Reporter Oh Hyun-ah
MedInTech’s product received regulatory approval in Korea in August last year as a Class II endoscopic medical device. Class II medical devices do not require separate clinical trials. However, clinical data is essential to encourage physicians to purchase the product. Accordingly, MedInTech has been conducting a 200-patient clinical study in collaboration with Seoul National University Hospital since earlier this year.
“We plan to first compile and disclose interim results from about 100 patients,” Lee said, adding, “We expect full-scale sales to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.”
The primary sales targets are health screening centers and primary and secondary hospitals. Lee explained, “Endoscopes are consumables that need to be replaced after a certain period,” and added, “Since we will be supplying our products at a much lower price than Japanese competitors, we believe they will be highly competitive.”
An easy and customer-friendly after-sales service (AS) policy is also part of the sales strategy. “Existing foreign products often have complicated AS policies, so hospitals frequently have to pay for repairs or rely on third-party repair services,” Lee said. “We plan to improve convenience by offering measures such as free product replacement for several years in case of issues.”
MedInTech is also preparing for overseas expansion. The company is currently planning market entry into Southeast Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. In addition, it expects to enter the U.S. market in the first quarter of next year by utilizing the 510(k) substantial equivalence pathway.
Lee added, “There was very strong interest from Latin American medical professionals at the event,” noting that “we plan to prepare for entry into the Latin American market in the near future as well.”
Reporter Oh Hyun-ah (5hyun@hankyung.com)
View the original article
https://www.hankyung.com/article/202405276190i