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ITRI Exhibits Innovations at BioTaiwan 2017

At BioTaiwan 2017, ITRI showcased 13 innovative technologies, including 3D-printed artificial skin, a high-intensity ultrasound & imaging system, a human motion sensor based on mechanomyogram (MMG) and balance signals, and a food scanner service system. Dr. Chii-Wann Lin, General Director of ITRI’s Biomedical Technology and Device Research Laboratories, said that ITRI will advance technology development in imaging guided medical care applications, along with its R&D focus centered around personalized medicine, or precision medicine. This is hoped to provide comprehensive medical care services that benefit both patients and doctors.

3D-Printed EPiTRI

ITRI developed EPiTRI, Taiwan’s first high quality artificial skin mimicking human epidermal structure, which is composed of the cornified layer, granular layer, spinous layer, basal layer, and lipids in the skin barrier. ITRI’s EPiTRI enables stable production and has passed several international validation standards of skin irritation and corrosion testing. The yield rate of the pilot production line reaches over 85%. In addition to being used to provide testing for new drugs and medical equipment, EPiTRI will also increase the value of output for cosmetic products. Furthermore, EPiTRI can be produced with ITRI’s 3D printer.

Printing under a temperature-controlled environment (from 4˚C to 70˚C) allows for the preservation of cell life and solves the issue of not being able to print medical materials at high viscosities (< 5000 mps). Within 1 second, the printing material becomes set and can conform to the medical industry’s requirement for various circular shapes for petri dish use. It is hoped that this type of bio-printer can become the future of medical care and biological tissue printing.

High-Power Ultrasound & Imaging System

The High-Power Ultrasound & Imaging System provides non-invasive treatment to dissolve body fat using high-energy focused ultrasound technology. It also has the ability to use heat to contract collagen to lift the skin. Surgeons are able to adjust the depth of focus of the high-energy probe according to the images showing the depth of the body fat, thus dissolving fat layers of varied thickness. Currently, ITRI has signed an agreement with Portwell on early-stage technology licensing, with the ultimate goal of capturing the cosmetic market.

Human Motion Sensor Based on MMG & Balance Signals

Facing the problem of an aging population, ITRI has also targeted the healthcare needs of senior citizens. The human motion sensor based on MMG and balance signals can detect muscle activity changes, abnormal tilt, and foot sole pressure. As soon as the body’s center of gravity shifts and muscle fatigue occurs, fall risks will be detected and a warning signal will be sent to caregivers via a cloud platform. This process allows constant monitoring of one’s safety and also reduces the cost for hiring care workers.

Food Scanner Service System

For cardiovascular disease and diabetes sufferers who need to control their daily diet and constantly manage their physical condition, ITRI has developed a food scanner service system on an App which enables photo analysis of the food’s nutritional information. Such image identification employs Fisher Vector Convolutional Neural Networks (deep learning) analysis algorithm. Users simply take a photo of their meal using ITRI’s App, and the App will feedback the calories and nutritional values including protein, fat, and carbohydrate of the pictured food within a few minutes. This allows medical professionals and dieticians to assess the dietary nutrition intake on the management website and thus to advise users based on what they eat.

Additionally, this health management platform will help users to improve their eating habits. Being a partner of the “Do CHANGE” project, ITRI will participate in the project’s trial with the food scanner App in Taiwan, Spain, and Netherlands while cooperating with the project partners from these areas. “Do CHANGE” is funded by European Commission and Taiwan Government, aiming to develop a life management ecosystem for improving health and wellbeing.