[Life Chapter 3 Business] Making Bedridden Patients' Urine and Feces Management Easier... 'MedienbiTech'

Namdoo Kim, CEO of MedinB Tech

A product that easily handles the urine and feces of patients who must live bedridden due to aging or illness has been developed domestically. It is MedinB Tech's 'Smart Automatic Excretion Management System.' This product was developed by Namdoo Kim, CEO of MedinB Tech, after about 12 years of research. Equipped with advanced sensors and an artificial intelligence system, it can manage patients' urine and feces, as well as provide washing and drying functions, enabling clean and hygienic handling.

MedinB Tech's smart excretion management system, officially launching in April, has already secured contracts to supply over 500 units nationwide to nursing hospitals and nursing homes. In an interview with Asia Economy on the 21st, CEO Namdoo Kim explained, "This innovative product helps simplify caregivers' tasks by solving patients' excretion management issues and provides economic and psychological support to guardians. Over the past few years, during demonstrations of the product to various nursing hospitals and patients for product advancement, its outstanding performance has become widely recognized."

Namdoo Kim, CEO of Medien Biotech

- Please introduce MedinB Tech's business model.

▲We sell an AI-integrated urine and feces management device for bedridden patients who cannot move. Mainly supplied to hospitals, the AI system detects patients' excretion and automatically performs suction, washing, and drying immediately. It incorporates communication functions and various sensors, equipped with communication capabilities via a mobile app and Bluetooth. It is designed so that one caregiver can manage up to 99 patients. For home care patients, the mobile application allows checking the patient's status and operating the device, making patient care and management easier.

- What did you do before starting the company? What motivated you to start this business?

▲I worked at Canon Korea's research lab. I was responsible for developing and supplying protective modules for automotive headlamps using lens design technology. Seeing my parents struggle to care for my elderly grandparents inspired me to start this business. Initially, I purchased and used Japanese products, but after identifying performance issues, I began developing a better product to solve the suffering of my family. Research and development started in 2009, and the company was founded in 2018.

- How does MedinB Tech's urine and feces management device differ from others?

▲Existing general products on the market require pressure (low pressure, sealed circulation type) to suction discharged waste. However, due to concerns about hernias caused by pressure, sufficient pressure for suction cannot be used. Instead, they rely on a method that adheres as closely as possible to the body to create suction. However, these existing systems cannot fully process waste and cause leakage outside.

Our smart excretion management system balances pressure through a self-developed 'Aero Circulation System (high-pressure open circulation type),' so there is no leakage of waste and no hernia risk. Additionally, it features self-cleaning and drying functions, making it convenient for caregivers who only need to handle the waste inside the container.

MediNBiTech's smart automatic urine and feces processor.

- Odor is often a problem with urine and feces management devices.

▲We have also focused on odor reduction and deodorization performance. Currently, the Ministry of Environment has standards for reducing concentrations of odor-causing substances such as ammonia, trimethylamine, hydrogen sulfide, and methyl mercaptan. Our product far exceeds these standards in deodorization performance. Furthermore, we added a plasma generator and UV lamp to sterilize bacteria so that none escape outside the filter. The sterilized air is then sprayed back onto the patient's body to prevent bedsores and inflammation.

- Hospitals need to record related data after excretion management, right?

▲For that purpose, we applied ICT (Information and Communication Technology) convergence technology for caregiver convenience. The robot automatically extracts data such as the weight and frequency of excretion and body temperature, automatically recording it in the patient's chart. It has a centralized management function allowing one medical staff member to monitor and control the status of 99 patients and the robots. We also developed and supply a weight-distributing anti-bedsore mat to prevent bedsores.

- You have received investments from multiple investors including SoPoong Ventures. Are there plans for further investment?

▲I believe investment can only happen when the investor's direction aligns with the product's value, marketability, growth potential, and the company's management policy. We are currently negotiating overseas investment to facilitate smooth exports. For example, a Japanese company agreed to purchase our product and invest to increase sales simultaneously. We are also securing investment routes in China.

- What are MedinB Tech's short- and long-term goals?

▲To expand the market, we signed a business agreement with Canon Korea. Although Canon mainly produces copiers and cameras, it also has a medical device division. That division saw the market potential of our product and agreed to the partnership. Sales are expected to begin in early June. To expand production capacity, we are preparing our own factories of about 3,300 square meters in Hwaseong and Suzhou, China, ensuring thorough production. The Chinese factory was established in cooperation with Suzhou City in a medical device complex, and the sales agreement for China has been completed. In the long term, we plan to accelerate research and development not only for the smart automatic urine and feces management device but also for stoma (artificial anus) products, aiming to launch stoma products in 2027 and lay the foundation for an initial public offering.