KYOCERA Begins Research in AI-based Image Recognition to Help Diagnose Skin Diseases and Cancers via Smartphone

Background

Recent developments in AI, image recognition, and IT infrastructure are facilitating great advances in the ability to analyze digital images. In the medical field, where digital imaging is already an essential diagnostic tool, AI-based image recognition offers revolutionary potential. Diagnosing skin diseases from digital images using AI will offer great advantages over conventional practices, which now often depend on the knowledge and experience of a physician.

In Japan, the number of skin cancer patients has approximately doubled*1 from 1999 through 2014. Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has identified AI as a key technology in the healthcare and medical sector. Because skin cancer treatment outcomes are substantially improved by early diagnosis, better diagnostic technologies are in great demand.

Overview of the Joint Research

KCCS is now working with Professor Manabu Fujimoto and Assistant Professor Yasuhiro Fujisawa (both of the Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba) to develop an image-recognition system accurate enough to distinguish several types of skin malignancies, including melanoma. The next phase of their project will aim for image-based diagnostic support of any skin disease. In addition to helping dermatology specialists, AI-based image recognition could allow accurate diagnoses in rural and remote areas lacking a local clinician, using pictures from smartphones or digital cameras to greatly improve healthcare outcomes.

The project benefits from a database of more than 20.000 clinical images accumulated over 20 years by the University of Tsukuba Hospital’s Department of Dermatology. The University’s experiences and knowledge including these images will be instrumental in assessing image-based diagnostic accuracy in real-world conditions. Additionally, KCCS will bring unique AI-based image-processing expertise accumulated through Labellio — a cloud-based web service. The service allows any user to create a simple “drag-and-drop” image classifier powered by deep learning.