Omron Healthcare and Kyoto University are set to undertake a study under a joint research programme to use artificial intelligence and home-recorded health data in predicting early signs of cardiovascular diseases.

WHY IT MATTERS

In a press statement, Omron said their upcoming study under the Healthcare Medical AI research programme will focus on two themes: First, the development of a novel blood pressure management method and second, a blood pressure analysis for the early detection of cardiovascular events using AI.

A joint team of researchers will utilise AI to develop a new method of personalised blood pressure management by analysing biological data recorded from home, including weight, body composition, the volume of activity and sodium/potassium ratio, as well as daily habits, such as smoking and drinking.

The team will also create a detection system to spot abnormal measurements that may point to symptoms of early cardiovascular disease.

Based on the latest report from the Japanese Society of Hypertension, around 43 million Japanese people were estimated to be hypertensive, with the conditions of 31 million being poorly controlled.

Even if blood pressure values are properly controlled, OMRON stressed that there is still a chance for patients to develop cardiovascular illnesses, which can only be prevented through detection and intervention at early stages.

THE LARGER TREND

Early this year, Omron introduced two latest remote patient monitoring platforms for hypertension: the Hypertension Plus that was launched in the UK with the NHS and the VitalSight in the US.

In other news, Korean government researchers recently disclosed that they have developed a cardiovascular event prediction model that enhances the speed and accuracy of diagnosing diseases. They integrated deep learning technology used in mechanical parts and equipment into an ultrasound imaging device.

University researchers in Australia, meanwhile, are coming up with an AI tool to predict coronary heart disease risk from heart CT scans.

ON THE RECORD

"In this Collaborative Research Program 'Healthcare Medical AI', we would like to explore the solutions of how to prevent the event risks and how to spend happier and healthier lives at home in collaboration with a new type of healthcare system and AI studies," said Yasushi Okuno, the study's principal researcher and professor at the Kyoto University's Graduate School of Medicine.

"Collaboration is essential if [not an] underused tool, opening brand new doors and ultimately making patients healthier. Our partnership with Kyoto University is an exciting example of this, combining OMRON Healthcare's heritage and wealth of cardiovascular experience with the university's expertise in applied AI research to health data," Andre Van Gils, senior general manager for Global Sales and Marketing at OMRON Healthcare, added.