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Japan is a leading country in terms of the number of diagnostic imaging devices per capita due to a strong radiological technology market. These devices should aid the early detection and treatment of everything from hernias and cancer to Alzheimer’s disease. Japan’s rapidly ageing population are well placed to benefit — but only if there are enough experts to perform procedures and interpret results. AI that helps detect abnormalities holds promise to alleviate a global shortage of radiologists and mounting workloads.
From X-ray tech as far back as 1896, through to the adoption of AI for diagnosing diseases from medical images today, Japan has long been at the forefront of radiology.
A combination of advances in magnetic resonance imaging to help track the movement of fluids in the brain and supercomputer-powered simulations are modifying our understanding of cognitive decline.
Computed tomography has a new upright design, higher-resolution images and innovative workflow software — all expanding the usefulness and accessibility of this powerful diagnostic tool.
Semiconductor detectors that directly measure the electrical signals produced by X-rays have hugely improved the resolution and contrast of computed tomography scanners.
Researchers hope that a powerful and more responsive X-ray radiotherapy system could target cancers with great precision, shortening treatment times and reducing damage to healthy tissue.