07.21.20
Rank: #25 (Last year: #23) $4.02 Billion ($32.9B total)
Prior Fiscal: $3.96 Billion
Percentage Change: +1.5%
No. of Employees: 187,041 (total)
Global Headquarters: Ota City, Tokyo, Japan
KEY EMPLOYEES:
Fujio Mitarai, Chairman and CEO, Canon
Toshizo Tanaka, Exec. VP and CFO, Canon
Toshio Takiguchi, Chief Exec., Medical Systems and Components Operations, Canon; President and CEO, Canon Medical Systems Corp.
Nobutoshi Mizusawa, Deputy Chief Exec., Medical Systems and Components Operations
Kazuto Ogawa, President and CEO, Canon USA Inc.
Yuji Hamada, President and CEO, Canon Medical Systems USA Inc.
John Patterson, Sr. VP, CFO, and Treasurer, Canon Medical Systems USA Inc.
Toshiba’s professional video camera business has been integral to Japan-based Canon Medical since October 2016. Three years later, Canon acquired Toshiba America Information Systems’ Imaging Systems division, birthing a Video Sensing Division (VSD). The VSD will serve the health tech market as an OEM supplier in surgical imaging robotics and clinical microscopy.
“We are delighted to be part of the team at Canon Medical,” VSD director of sales Paul Dempster told Laser Focus World. “Our customers will continue to have access to the great products, service, and support they’ve become accustomed to. The distribution and authorized service providers for VSD products will remain the same. Additionally, manufacturing and quality inspection systems are not changing, so the product quality, availability, and product performance will continue to be of the highest caliber.”
Canon’s Medical System business was the only segment that posted a profit in fiscal year 2019, rising 1.5 percent to barely top $4 billion in sales. Domestic sales increased steadily thanks to a recovery of demand and a series of newly launched products. Sales in Europe tempered the increase with a sluggish first quarter performance.
Global Illumination rendering in the Vitrea advanced visualization platform was released everywhere but Japan last January. Physicians can use it to interact in real-time with photorealistic images and visualize patient anatomy in all dimensions. Patients can use it to understand their anatomy and pathology when communicating with their doctor. Forensic physicians will also be able to visualize anatomy prior to autopsy thanks to Global Illumination.
Last February, Canon Medical rolled out new software that enhanced the Celesteion PET/CT System with new acquisition and reconstruction techniques. Scan times and the acquisition mode can be adjusted per bed position and Respiratory Gating reduces dose in whole body PET scans to avoid extra scans. PET ECG phase image reconstruction scans can also be performed. PET image quality is improved by filtering noise while maintaining contrast, and a new reconstruction technique reduces metallic artifacts.
A radiation therapy package became available for the Aquilion Prime SB and Lightning 80 CT scanners last February as well to pair advanced imaging with oncology planning. It offers an extended field of view, scanning in one position, respiratory motion management, and LAP lasers to improve in-room patient setup and technologist workflow.
The Aplio a-series ultrasound systems debuted at last April’s AIUM meeting. High-resolution 2D imaging and volumetric ultrasound integrates into workflow for a range of imaging needs. The Healthy Sonographer Program provides CE accredited training and web support offering. Qualitative and quantitative tools like iSMI and Differential Tissue Harmonics help to meet a range of clinical needs.
The FDA cleared the Advanced Intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE), deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) image reconstruction for CT scanners, last June. Model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) reconstructs CT images with improved spatial resolution three to five times faster than traditional MBIR. AiCE uses deep learning to differentiate signal from noise, and the pre-trained DCNN enhances spatial resolution while reducing noise. It was green lighted by the FDA for the Aquilion Precision CT in October. AiCE began integration into Canon’s broader portfolio of CT and MRI scanners in December.
Low-dose lung cancer screening (LCS) was FDA-cleared for Canon Medical’s CT systems in September. The new LCS manages CT dose, protocols, and equipment. Automatic nodule tracking through advanced visualization spots lung nodules at an early stage. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, LCS reduces lung cancer mortality by 20 percent compared to standard chest X-ray.
The company completed a capital investment based on stock purchase with point-of-care testing research and development company FemtoDx in September as well. FemtoDx develops diagnostic methods to detect and notify about early signs of possible pathological events related to heart failure or stroke before they occur, leveraging mobile devices and AI technologies.
The firm launched the Alphenix Encore Plus Program in October. The program lets customers upgrade aging angiography systems while maintaining many existing parts like lights and shields. Among the upgrades are a large monitor, advanced cybersecurity, and a future upgrade path. Customers with existing Infinix-I systems can upgrade to the newer Alphenix platform, which was launched in 2018.
The Alphenix Aero Package was also introduced in October. Office-based labs and ambulatory surgical centers can use the package to tailor Alphenix Core and Alphenix Sky interventional imaging systems to fit their facilities’ needs.
“While hospitals get busier and reimbursement rates continue to change, the Alphenix Aero Package fits an unmet need in the healthcare space, enabling OBLs to grow their businesses and ensuring all physicians have access to the latest technology to deliver clinical excellence at a feasible budget,” Kristin Jones, acting managing director, Vascular Business Unit, Canon Medical Systems USA, told the press.
Swiss MRI research and development firm Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies AG was acquired in November. Established in 2011, Skope develops and sells magnetic field monitoring systems and image reconstruction software for MRI scanners. The company’s expertise in MRI sensorics, signal processing, and image reconstruction achieve reproducible image quality, great image detail, and time-saving MRI scanning.
Last November’s Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting witnessed the launch of the Cartesion Prime PET/CT system. It features advanced silicon photomultiplier design with one-to-one coupling and fast time-of-flight resolution, as well as large axial field of view and air-cooling for more attractive siting and long-term maintenance requirements compared to water-cooled systems.
Canon Medical also unveiled the Gateway Platinum multi-level cybersecurity solutions at last year’s RSNA meeting. Barracude NextGen Firewall notifies of security issues in real-time with on-demand reports and network health alerts fed into the customer’s security information and event management system alert engine. InnerVision Plus with Windows 10 helps increase productivity, boost system availability, and isolate imaging systems from outside threats before data is damaged or exposed. An “always on” secure site-to-site VPN tunnel provides multi-factor authentications to Canon Medical Control Center device access.
Compressed SPEEDER MR technology [pending 510(k) clearance] was also introduced at last year’s RSNA meeting for the Vantage Galan 3T and Vantage Orian 1.5T MRI scanners. The technology speeds MRI scans up to four times by reconstructing full resolution images from under-sampled data and shorter scans. It supports high acceleration and can help avoid artifacts while maintaining resolution and signal-to-noise ratio.
Announced in December, Canon transferred its eye care business operations from Canon USA Inc. to Canon Medical Systems USA on Jan. 1 of this year. The transfer added measurement systems, retinal cameras, and optical coherence tomography systems to Canon Medical Systems USA’s product line.
COVID-19 Consequences
In late February, the company began developing a rapid genetic testing system for SARS-CoV-2. The project is part of a research program aimed at developing COVID-19 diagnostic methods, led by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. Canon Medical was selected to participate in this program in cooperation with Nagasaki University.
Prior Fiscal: $3.96 Billion
Percentage Change: +1.5%
No. of Employees: 187,041 (total)
Global Headquarters: Ota City, Tokyo, Japan
KEY EMPLOYEES:
Fujio Mitarai, Chairman and CEO, Canon
Toshizo Tanaka, Exec. VP and CFO, Canon
Toshio Takiguchi, Chief Exec., Medical Systems and Components Operations, Canon; President and CEO, Canon Medical Systems Corp.
Nobutoshi Mizusawa, Deputy Chief Exec., Medical Systems and Components Operations
Kazuto Ogawa, President and CEO, Canon USA Inc.
Yuji Hamada, President and CEO, Canon Medical Systems USA Inc.
John Patterson, Sr. VP, CFO, and Treasurer, Canon Medical Systems USA Inc.
Toshiba’s professional video camera business has been integral to Japan-based Canon Medical since October 2016. Three years later, Canon acquired Toshiba America Information Systems’ Imaging Systems division, birthing a Video Sensing Division (VSD). The VSD will serve the health tech market as an OEM supplier in surgical imaging robotics and clinical microscopy.
“We are delighted to be part of the team at Canon Medical,” VSD director of sales Paul Dempster told Laser Focus World. “Our customers will continue to have access to the great products, service, and support they’ve become accustomed to. The distribution and authorized service providers for VSD products will remain the same. Additionally, manufacturing and quality inspection systems are not changing, so the product quality, availability, and product performance will continue to be of the highest caliber.”
Canon’s Medical System business was the only segment that posted a profit in fiscal year 2019, rising 1.5 percent to barely top $4 billion in sales. Domestic sales increased steadily thanks to a recovery of demand and a series of newly launched products. Sales in Europe tempered the increase with a sluggish first quarter performance.
Global Illumination rendering in the Vitrea advanced visualization platform was released everywhere but Japan last January. Physicians can use it to interact in real-time with photorealistic images and visualize patient anatomy in all dimensions. Patients can use it to understand their anatomy and pathology when communicating with their doctor. Forensic physicians will also be able to visualize anatomy prior to autopsy thanks to Global Illumination.
Last February, Canon Medical rolled out new software that enhanced the Celesteion PET/CT System with new acquisition and reconstruction techniques. Scan times and the acquisition mode can be adjusted per bed position and Respiratory Gating reduces dose in whole body PET scans to avoid extra scans. PET ECG phase image reconstruction scans can also be performed. PET image quality is improved by filtering noise while maintaining contrast, and a new reconstruction technique reduces metallic artifacts.
A radiation therapy package became available for the Aquilion Prime SB and Lightning 80 CT scanners last February as well to pair advanced imaging with oncology planning. It offers an extended field of view, scanning in one position, respiratory motion management, and LAP lasers to improve in-room patient setup and technologist workflow.
The Aplio a-series ultrasound systems debuted at last April’s AIUM meeting. High-resolution 2D imaging and volumetric ultrasound integrates into workflow for a range of imaging needs. The Healthy Sonographer Program provides CE accredited training and web support offering. Qualitative and quantitative tools like iSMI and Differential Tissue Harmonics help to meet a range of clinical needs.
The FDA cleared the Advanced Intelligent Clear-IQ Engine (AiCE), deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) image reconstruction for CT scanners, last June. Model-based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) reconstructs CT images with improved spatial resolution three to five times faster than traditional MBIR. AiCE uses deep learning to differentiate signal from noise, and the pre-trained DCNN enhances spatial resolution while reducing noise. It was green lighted by the FDA for the Aquilion Precision CT in October. AiCE began integration into Canon’s broader portfolio of CT and MRI scanners in December.
Low-dose lung cancer screening (LCS) was FDA-cleared for Canon Medical’s CT systems in September. The new LCS manages CT dose, protocols, and equipment. Automatic nodule tracking through advanced visualization spots lung nodules at an early stage. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, LCS reduces lung cancer mortality by 20 percent compared to standard chest X-ray.
The company completed a capital investment based on stock purchase with point-of-care testing research and development company FemtoDx in September as well. FemtoDx develops diagnostic methods to detect and notify about early signs of possible pathological events related to heart failure or stroke before they occur, leveraging mobile devices and AI technologies.
The firm launched the Alphenix Encore Plus Program in October. The program lets customers upgrade aging angiography systems while maintaining many existing parts like lights and shields. Among the upgrades are a large monitor, advanced cybersecurity, and a future upgrade path. Customers with existing Infinix-I systems can upgrade to the newer Alphenix platform, which was launched in 2018.
The Alphenix Aero Package was also introduced in October. Office-based labs and ambulatory surgical centers can use the package to tailor Alphenix Core and Alphenix Sky interventional imaging systems to fit their facilities’ needs.
“While hospitals get busier and reimbursement rates continue to change, the Alphenix Aero Package fits an unmet need in the healthcare space, enabling OBLs to grow their businesses and ensuring all physicians have access to the latest technology to deliver clinical excellence at a feasible budget,” Kristin Jones, acting managing director, Vascular Business Unit, Canon Medical Systems USA, told the press.
Swiss MRI research and development firm Skope Magnetic Resonance Technologies AG was acquired in November. Established in 2011, Skope develops and sells magnetic field monitoring systems and image reconstruction software for MRI scanners. The company’s expertise in MRI sensorics, signal processing, and image reconstruction achieve reproducible image quality, great image detail, and time-saving MRI scanning.
Last November’s Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting witnessed the launch of the Cartesion Prime PET/CT system. It features advanced silicon photomultiplier design with one-to-one coupling and fast time-of-flight resolution, as well as large axial field of view and air-cooling for more attractive siting and long-term maintenance requirements compared to water-cooled systems.
Canon Medical also unveiled the Gateway Platinum multi-level cybersecurity solutions at last year’s RSNA meeting. Barracude NextGen Firewall notifies of security issues in real-time with on-demand reports and network health alerts fed into the customer’s security information and event management system alert engine. InnerVision Plus with Windows 10 helps increase productivity, boost system availability, and isolate imaging systems from outside threats before data is damaged or exposed. An “always on” secure site-to-site VPN tunnel provides multi-factor authentications to Canon Medical Control Center device access.
Compressed SPEEDER MR technology [pending 510(k) clearance] was also introduced at last year’s RSNA meeting for the Vantage Galan 3T and Vantage Orian 1.5T MRI scanners. The technology speeds MRI scans up to four times by reconstructing full resolution images from under-sampled data and shorter scans. It supports high acceleration and can help avoid artifacts while maintaining resolution and signal-to-noise ratio.
Announced in December, Canon transferred its eye care business operations from Canon USA Inc. to Canon Medical Systems USA on Jan. 1 of this year. The transfer added measurement systems, retinal cameras, and optical coherence tomography systems to Canon Medical Systems USA’s product line.
COVID-19 Consequences
Q1 2020 Revenue: $874.3 Million
Q1 2019 Revenue: $946.2 Million
Percentage Change: -7.6%
In late February, the company began developing a rapid genetic testing system for SARS-CoV-2. The project is part of a research program aimed at developing COVID-19 diagnostic methods, led by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development. Canon Medical was selected to participate in this program in cooperation with Nagasaki University.