Japanese firms Fujitsu and iSurgery will conduct a field trial as part of their 'bone health promotion project' from October 2023 to March 2025 in collaboration with the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Jikei University School of Medicine, to verify the practicality of bone assessments conducted with chest radiographs and the effects of this approach in changing Fujitsu employees’ attitudes and habits around health.

This marks the first time in Japan that an employer is focusing on the improvement of this aspect of its employees’ health during their examinations through this novel use of chest radiographs for bone assessments.

In this demonstration, the project group will utilise iSurgery's artificial intelligence (AI) medical device, the medical image analysis software Chest Bone Indicator (AI medical device), to assess bone health from chest radiographs and notify the results of health examinations for Fujitsu Group employees.

The project group will recommend that employees undergo a thorough examination by a medical specialist based on the results of the evaluation. Regardless of the results of the evaluation, the project team will also provide health guidance for prevention by utilising the basic knowledge on bone health provided by the Jikei University School of Medicine.

In the future, based on the results of this field trial, the project group will formulate a cost-effective method for implementing bone health promotion projects by realising efficient evaluation in company health examinations, leading to the early detection and treatment of osteoporosis and osteoporosis reserve groups, as well as improving the well-being of employees and solving health problems facing an aging society.

When left untreated, osteoporosis can lead to fractures and conditions requiring long-term care, and the total cost to society of medical care and long-term care is estimated to be about 1 trillion yen.