Portable Devices in Healthcare

1. How do you see the role of portable devices evolving in women’s healthcare, particularly in relation to personalized care and early detection of health issues?

This is very important. Many women lives very busy days, juggling work, household duties, and childcare. There are countries and regions where access to healthcare is particularly challenging for women. Even in Japan, where access is relatively good, women tend to delay seeking medical care, and by the time they do, it can sometimes be too late. For instance, if a portable device allows women to conduct tests from home and connect remotely with healthcare professionals, it could lead to early detection of diseases.

2. In your experience, what are the most significant regulatory challenges when bringing portable healthcare devices, specifically femtech products, to market?

In the medical and healthcare systems, the field of women's health is lagging behind, and many of the new femtech devices are innovative. As a result, regulations are not yet fully established, so it is necessary to begin by negotiating with the government. From there, we need to collaborate with healthcare professionals to integrate these devices into existing clinical settings.

3. How do you balance innovation with compliance in the highly regulated field of portable medical devices for women’s health?

There are two major compliance areas to focus on in the field of women's health. First, in healthcare and medical fields, personal information of patients is handled, and compliance is also a significant concern in the Femtech domain. The Femtech field often includes sensitive health information that people may not want to be disclosed, so compliance with personal information protection is highly prioritized. The second area is compliance related to medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Some devices are marketed as healthcare products instead of medical devices due to their minimal impact on the body. Even in such cases, it is important to adhere to laws related to medical devices and pharmaceuticals in advertising, avoiding exaggerated claims about their effectiveness. It is important to firmly address these two areas while driving innovation.

4. What are the key features you believe portable devices should prioritize to enhance health literacy and patient engagement for women?

It is important not only to provide a portable device, but also to have a remote system in place where users can receive support from experts. In the field of women's health, it has traditionally been a taboo topic, particularly in regions with a large gender gap. As a result, proper education has not been provided, and it is not common for women to research and take action on their own. Therefore, there are few women who, after being given a device, can use it independently and take the next steps. I believe that providing support where women can consult with experts to improve their health is crucial.

5. How has your background in health literacy shaped the development and marketing of portable devices at Joconne Inc.?

Before studying health literacy, I obtained a master's degree in engineering, which gave me a solid understanding of technology. Additionally, having worked for many years at a medical device company, devices are something I am very familiar with. I want to create a society where women can live with adequate health literacy by utilizing portable devices. I feel that my career, which started during my time in graduate school, is now coming together as a cohesive path.

6. Can you discuss how advancements in sensor technology and AI are being integrated into portable devices for women’s health?

Women's health varies greatly from person to person, even when it comes to something as common as menstruation. In the area of pelvic floor muscles, which we focus on, various factors such as body type, daily lifestyle, and whether or not someone exercises, all influence their function. If we can visualize the condition of each individual woman using sensors and have AI provide personalized solutions, I believe this could help many women alleviate a significant portion of the health issues they currently face.

7. How do you assess the effectiveness of portable devices in tracking and managing chronic health conditions specific to women?

In the field of women's health, there are many health issues that, while not life-threatening, are crucial for women to live their lives authentically. Therefore, it is important not only to assess the effectiveness of symptom improvement but also to evaluate how much of an impact it has on women's quality of life (QOL). Additionally, to establish these improvements within society, it is essential to demonstrate that alleviating women's health issues and improving their QOL is beneficial for society as a whole. For this reason, I believe it is also important to use indicators such as economic loss in these evaluations.

8. What role do you think portable healthcare devices can play in addressing disparities in access to women's health services globally?

Of course, portable devices contribute to improving access to healthcare. They can improve physical access in cases where medical facilities are far away, and I believe they can also improve psychological access. For women, visiting a hospital for health issues that have traditionally been considered taboo requires a great deal of courage. In rural areas, some women may dislike the idea of their family or neighbors knowing they have visited a clinic. In this sense, a system where women can receive a device by mail and consult remotely can help lower the psychological barriers as well.

9. What strategies do you implement to ensure that portable devices are both user-friendly and effective for a diverse range of women, including those less familiar with technology?

I believe it is essential to have a user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) that are intuitive and enjoyable to use, such as those found in smartphone apps. Each health issue has a specific target audience of women, so it is important to design the UX/UI in a way that is easy and appealing for that target group, followed by continuous improvements. While some may say that women are not tech-savvy and therefore cannot use these tools, it is important to note that even elderly women and those living in rural areas are now adept at using smartphones to connect with the world. It is crucial to create and deliver UX/UI that is designed to suit the target audience, allowing them to use it without stress.

10. In your view, how important is it for portable healthcare devices to integrate with existing healthcare systems and data platforms?

This is very important. Currently, the challenge with femtech is that it is left to individual women's personal judgment without being integrated into the societal framework, which has led to a widening gap between health-conscious women and those who are not. However, women's health issues affect all women, and every woman has the right to know about her body, take appropriate actions, and live a healthy life. Therefore, it is essential to incorporate this into the current healthcare system and deliver it broadly to women as part of the societal system.

11. Could you share some insights into the lifecycle management of portable devices in healthcare, from R&D through to product launch?

From my conversations with women around the world in the field of women's health, I feel that, despite some differences, the women's health sector has received minimal development to date, and there is a common global challenge in providing women with appropriate solutions to maintain their health. Therefore, I believe it is very important to adapt and modify these solutions according to each country and expand them worldwide. Establishing a system that allows for these minor adjustments is crucial.

For that reason, I believe it is also important for women around the world to join hands and engage in activities to spread awareness globally.

12 .How do you envision the future of telemedicine and remote monitoring with the growing use of portable devices in women’s health?

I envision a future where, in cases that do not require invasive treatments like surgery, the necessary portable devices are delivered to homes, allowing individuals to consult with doctors remotely. Medications and necessary solutions would be sent via mail or provided online. In other words, the initial consultation for health issues and diagnosis will become mainstream through portable devices and telemedicine, conducted from home rather than a hospital. If home is not feasible, it may take place at a local community center.

13. What are some of the key success metrics you look at to evaluate the impact of portable devices on patient outcomes in your product lines?

In the field of women's health, many issues cannot be resolved simply by taking medication or using a device for a few days; they require ongoing effort. Menstruation occurs monthly, and lifestyle habits can affect health, while issues like osteoporosis and pelvic floor muscle problems cannot be changed overnight and require continuous attention. Therefore, it is essential to create a system that enables women to maintain their efforts. Additionally, women often lead busy lives, so it is crucial to provide solutions that can be integrated into small gaps of free time in their daily routines. While effectiveness is important, we also place significant value on the rate of adherence.

14. How do you see collaborations between medical device companies and healthcare providers shaping the future of portable devices in women’s healthcare?

This is very important. It is crucial for medical professionals involved in obstetrics and gynecology to collaborate with medical device companies from the perspective of jointly supporting women's health. It is also important to establish connections between specialists in other fields—such as breast health, urology, and cardiology etc.—using obstetrics and gynecology as an entry point. Additionally, depending on the country or region, especially in those with large gender gaps, there are often more male doctors and engineers. In such cases, the development of devices may lack a female perspective. For example, while mammography is highly effective, it can be painful and psychologically stressful for women. It is essential to incorporate women's opinions into the development process and to create a proper system for doing so.