"Early Detection of Lung Disease through Multisensory-Based Screening"

A technology capable of recognizing multisensory sensing information to early screen lung diseases has been developed domestically. The research results are meaningful in that they have laid the foundation for early detection of difficult-to-diagnose lung diseases with a lung disease screening device, enabling rapid treatment before lung damage progresses.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 13th that it has developed a technology that analyzes complex lung information through multisensory recognition information to simultaneously screen various types of lung diseases.

The ETRI research team is demonstrating auscultation measurement and abnormal lung sound recognition technology for early screening devices for lung diseases. Photo by Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute of Korea

The developed technology is characterized by integrating devices that were individually used in existing lung disease diagnosis?exhaled nitric oxide measurement device, lung capacity measurement device, and lung sound stethoscope?into a single multisensory recognition device.

This device acquires complex information about the lung condition and then uses artificial intelligence technology to analyze multisensory measurement information interactively and from multiple perspectives, enabling simultaneous screening of various types of lung diseases.

Another advantage of the device developed by ETRI is that it can omit the existing tests and complicated procedures required for lung disease diagnosis.

Existing diagnostic methods required the willingness of the examinee and assistance and guidance from medical personnel. However, despite the complex process, many cases were diagnosed late, making it practically impossible to fully recover lungs damaged by lung disease.

In contrast, ETRI explained that using its lung disease screening device can increase the possibility of early detection of lung problems and timely treatment.

The core technologies of the device include ▲ exhaled gas detection and analysis technology ▲ auscultation measurement and abnormal lung sound recognition technology ▲ lung disease self-measurement mobile content technology ▲ multisensory lung disease screening technology.

ETRI expects commercialization of the technology within three years. Through its joint research and development partner, Active DNC Co., Ltd., it plans to develop pre-commercial prototypes, conduct clinical trials, register medical devices, and commercialize the technology, distributing it to multi-use facilities such as nationwide elderly care centers, nursing homes, and community centers.

Jung Il-kwon, head of ETRI's Content Research Division, said, “We expect early detection and treatment of lung diseases to be possible through multisensory-based screening technology,” and added, “The research team will focus on advancing lung disease screening technology by expanding the range of multisensory data and integrating more information for analysis.”

Meanwhile, this research was conducted as part of the ICT-based social problem-solving technology development project supported by the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Institute for Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation, with participation from Active DNC Co., Ltd. and Kangwon National University. The data necessary for multisensory recognition information was secured in compliance with the Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval process at Kangwon National University Hospital.