Initiatives in the Medical Field: Specific efforts

Japan, recognized as a country with advanced medical care, is experiencing a surging awareness of health issues across the general population as well as rising social strains in the wake of such problems as an overall shortage and uneven distribution of doctors, a falling birthrate and an aging population. Medical care in this environment must support the early detection and treatment of disease, and diagnostic imaging is a tool for meeting these needs. On the other hand, higher performance diagnostic imaging systems as well as the widespread application of new examination tools such as CT, PET, MRI and electronic endoscopes are generating burgeoning volumes of patient data. Consequently, the health care environment in Japan is increasingly drawing upon database technologies for sharing diagnostic imaging data and leveraging network capabilities to enhance telemedicine services.
As a provider of comprehensive diagnostic imaging solutions, Fujifilm is aggressively supplying systems and equipment to the front line of medical care. SYNAPSE, our medical imaging and information management system, which commands the top share of the domestic market, and C@Rna, a medical network service, play key roles. Beyond their function as comprehensive diagnostic systems that archive, integrate and network medical images, they also improve the efficiency of medical facilities operations. Furthermore, our telemedicine network service enhances the quality of local health care and supports new medical options, such as simplifying the process for gaining second opinions.
By taking advantage of the proprietary technical capabilities it has built up over the years, including image processing and precision optical technologies, Fujifilm has actively released various medical systems and equipment. These new products cause much less physical discomfort for the patient and are more environmentally friendly. In addition to the worldwide market-leading FCR (Fuji Computed Radiography) digital X-ray diagnostic imaging system and our electronic endoscope system, we have recently been working to further expand the field of diagnostic imaging with a fully digital ultrasonograph system and diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals. Linking these with SYNAPSE will provide powerful solutions for improving the efficiency and speed of examinations and diagnosis with even greater precision. Fujifilm intends for these advances to further the quality of medical care around the globe as well as in Japan.

Fujifilm started early on doing research into image processing to support breast cancer diagnosis. The company has helped to raise the efficiency and quality of diagnostic imaging by developing an FCR-based digital mammography system combining high-definition reading technology suitable for breast cancer screening with our own cutting-edge image processing technologies. The number of those undergoing breast cancer screening has been rising, requiring massive diagnostic work by physicians. Fujifilm developed and introduced FCR Digital Mammography CAD, a computer-assisted breast cancer detection support system, in February 2008. Fujifilm became the first domestic manufacturer in Japan to obtain approval for a CAD system under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Fujifilm has also developed a proprietary detection algorithm for this system based on a wealth of cases from within Japan and has been able to achieve a high rate of detection for areas showing characteristics of breast cancer, including microcalcifications and masses. A high detection rate supports physicians in their readings of images.
Today, an estimated one out of every 20 to 30 Japanese women develops breast cancer, the incidence of which is rising every year around the world. However, in addition to selfexaminations, regular mammography screening can detect breast cancer at an early stage, when 90% of cases can be cured. Fujifilm will continue to strengthen its efforts to improve the early detection of breast cancer and provide greater accuracy in diagnosis.

FCR Digital Mammography CAD